[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S11893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARIE PRINGLE

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mrs. Marie 
Pringle who is retiring this month from the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, VA. Mrs. Pringle's retirement is well deserved after serving 
more than 30 years for the Federal Government, including over 20 years 
in the VA's Office of Budget. Mrs. Pringle epitomizes the best of 
public service in terms of her dedication, commitment, hard work, and 
professionalism.
  Mrs. Pringle began her Federal service in 1972 with the Department of 
Army as a clerk typist. She then moved on to the Department of Energy 
in 1978 to work as a budget analyst. After a 2-year period in the 
private sector, Mrs. Pringle returned to the Federal Government working 
for the VA's Office of Budget. At the VA, Mrs. Pringle worked 
diligently in analyzing the budgetary activities of the Department 
whose budget has grown to some $68 billion.
  As chairman of the VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Appropriations 
Subcommittee, my staff and I have found Mrs. Pringle to be an 
invaluable resource for reliable and timely data that was critical in 
helping me make decisions impacting the millions of veterans who depend 
on the VA. Further, Mrs. Pringle provided my subcommittee with 
technical expertise that helped us develop our appropriations bills.
  Mrs. Pringle's departure is a great loss to the Department and my 
subcommittee and she will be missed. I commend Mrs. Pringle for her 
outstanding public service to the American Taxpayer and the millions of 
our veterans. I wish Mrs. Pringle and her husband Darian all the 
best.

                          ____________________