[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICE OF NANCY OSTAPOWICZ TO THE RESIDENTS OF 
                MICHIGAN'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2004

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to one 
of my staffers, Nancy Ostapowicz, who last month retired after serving 
the residents of West Michigan for 25 years.
  As most of us know, being a staff member in a Congressional district 
office is often a thankless and relatively anonymous job. They usually 
do not receive the credit they deserve for a job well-done, and all too 
often they must deal with concern, frustration or anger of constituents 
who are upset by government actions or have been ill-treated by the 
bureaucratic system.
  Nancy, who has directed my constituent services since I joined 
Congress in 1993, handled such situations with incredible aplomb, 
working tirelessly and compassionately with the people who contacted 
our Grand Rapids office in search of assistance. I was fortunate to 
have inherited Nancy, as she first started working for Congressman Hal 
Sawyer in 1979, then continued with Congressman Paul Henry when he took 
office in 1985.
  Over the past quarter-century, Nancy helped literally thousands of 
people with a wide variety of problems too numerous to list here today, 
although it is safe to say that she was especially gratified by her 
efforts helping immigrants and reuniting families so that they could 
come to the United States and pursue the American dream.
  Without a doubt, Nancy's biggest legacy is that those thousands of 
people would be willing to line up and thank her for the help she gave 
them. She has served so many people over the years that it is not 
unusual to see someone walk up to Nancy to thank her for assistance 
that she provided 10 or 20 years ago.
  And so, today, add me to the list of people who have said ``Thank 
you'' to Nancy Ostapowicz. Others will ably do her job, but no one can 
ever replace her.
  Congratulations, Nancy, on a fine career of public service, and best 
wishes to you and Dan in your retirement.

                          ____________________