[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING BARRY ADAMS ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2005

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and offer my 
best wishes to a person who truly exemplified a true civil servant. 
After 38 years in government service, Barry Adams, a good friend and 
constituent of mine, retired on December 16, 2004.
  Straight out of high school, Barry began his career at the Naval 
Aviation depot in Jacksonville as an equipment cleaner helper. Barely a 
year later, he answered his Nation's call and served in the Army in 
both Korea and Panama. After his military service, Barry returned to 
the depot and over the years became a stalwart advocate for the depot's 
mission and its employees.
  Very few people worked as hard or represented their fellow civil 
servants as well as Barry Adams. I have had the honor of working with 
Barry over the years on issues affecting the employees of NAVAIR Depot 
in Jacksonville, Florida, with many of them living in my Congressional 
district. As President of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station 
Association, Barry ably represented his fellow employees before 
Congress and the Executive Branch, consistently fighting for better 
pay, additional workload for the depot, and better personnel policies. 
He fought hard to ensure that the Depot did not fall prey to the BRAC 
process. He understood the value of what the Depot and its employees 
had to offer our forces.
  No matter what subject matter was discussed, Barry made sure that the 
ultimate reason behind his advocacy was the Depot's mission to serve 
the warfighter. He made sure that Members of Congress understood that 
the employees at NAVAIR Depot were dedicated to serving the needs of 
the Fleet and other services and that each and every person was proud 
to be a part of that mission.
  NAVAIR Depot is losing a dedicated advocate, however, Barry's efforts 
have paid dividends and the employees and the Navy should be thankful 
for his service. I wish Barry the best in his retirement.

                          ____________________