[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 131 (Tuesday, November 16, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF SHARON HICKEY

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise to express my deep gratitude and 
best wishes to a dedicated and long-serving member of my Washington 
staff, Sharon ``Sherry'' Hickey, who has worked on Capitol Hill for 
nearly 31 years and who is retiring from the U.S. Senate on December 3, 
2004.
  Sherry has been a member of my Senate family since I was first 
elected to this office in January 1989. She has many talents, ``wears 
many hats,'' is always willing to lend a hand or offer guidance, and 
her contributions to the work of this office, particularly in the area 
of constituent outreach, have been invaluable. She began in my office 
as assistant to the chief of staff and military caseworker. As 
caseworker, she most clearly demonstrated her compassion and empathy 
for others. Sherry assisted many grateful soldiers and their families 
in my home State of Connecticut, including during the first Gulf War, 
by intently listening to their concerns and successfully resolving the 
variety of problems they faced to the fullest extent possible.
  Sherry is also a gifted and eloquent writer. As my personal/
legislative correspondent, she has researched and drafted responses for 
literally thousands of constituent communications on important issues 
before Congress, as well as requests for tribute, congratulatory, and 
recommendation letters that I have received over the years. With her 
expressive, articulate, and intuitive communication skills, Sherry has 
a knack for preparing responses to each of them in the informative, yet 
personalized, style that I prefer.
  Prior to the good fortune that brought her to my office, Sherry first 
began her Hill career when she was hired by Representative John Melcher 
(D-MT) in December 1973. Following his election to the Senate in 1976, 
Sherry remained on his staff as a personal assistant and consumer 
affairs caseworker until he left office in 1988. Previously, she served 
as secretary to the Assistant Director of the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury's Bureau of the Mint from 1967-1971.
  Some may find it surprising to learn that, among her many hidden 
abilities, Sherry is a talented artist. Perhaps her retirement will 
afford her more time to pursue this interest. Still, what has always 
been most important to Sherry is her family. She met her husband Peter 
while she was a member of Senator Melcher's staff; and their son, 
Brian, of whom they are both enormously proud, spent 2 years as a 
toddler at the Senate Employees Child Care Center. Sherry often brought 
Brian to the office for a visit, so it is hard for me to believe that 
he has since achieved the Boy Scout rank of Eagle Scout and is now a 
second-year student at the University of Virginia! For her own part, 
after spending precious time devoted to raising her son and guiding him 
along the path toward adulthood, Sherry applied her energies after 
work, and, with her usual determination, completed her Associate in 
Science degree from Northern Virginia Community College earlier this 
year.
  Sherry has had and exemplary career and fully understands the value 
of a public service commitment to help others. She has always had a 
special caring touch in reaching out to the constituents we serve and 
getting them the help they need and deserve. She has provided a guiding 
hand and has been a resource and support to so many members of my 
staff. Sherry has what some may call an ``old-fashioned'' work ethic, 
but it is one based on immense pride and satisfaction in a job well 
done. I can certainly attest to that.
  Sherry is proud to be a native Washingtonian, and she can now be 
proud of the years she has dedicated to my State of Connecticut and to 
the State of Montana. I know her well-deserved retirement will afford 
her many new opportunities. Sherry has made many friends on the Hill, 
and we will miss her ready smile and kindness. It is with great 
fondness and my personal thanks that I wish her only the best in 
whatever direction she chooses to go from here. Congratulations on a 
job well done!

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