[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 91 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO MARSHA SHASTEEN AND HER DEDICATED SERVICE ON THE HOUSE 
                           SCIENCE COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a staff member 
whose service on the House Science Committee is coming to an end this 
month. Marsha Shasteen has contributed greatly to our staff and her 
Hill acumen will be greatly missed.
  Marsha has spent her time in Congress working in both Member and 
Committee offices. She began by working in her home state of Texas for 
The Honorable Ralph Hall of the 4th Congressional District. After three 
years in his district office, Marsha moved to Mr. Hall's personal 
office staff in Washington, DC where she served 4 years as a 
legislative assistant.
  Marsha has served the Science Committee Democratic staff as Counsel 
for nearly 6 years. In fact, Marsha was Mr. Hall's first appointee to 
the House Science Committee staff when he took over as Ranking Democrat 
in 1999.
  As Counsel for the Committee, Marsha worked to assist Members, their 
staff, and the Committee staff in tracking relevant legislation, 
jurisdictional research, and special projects to assist Members in 
developing legislative proposals and specific bill referrals for the 
Committee.
  She has also been involved in oversight activities, coordinating with 
the Government Accountability Office on a number of projects across 
Committee jurisdiction. She has often been called upon to assist 
Committee Members with mark-ups and during floor debate on legislation 
originating with the Committee.
  Her Committee colleagues regard her as a no nonsense attorney who has 
made her mark on ethics matters and nuances of committee jurisdiction 
and process.
  One of her legislative successes was the Wind Hazard Reduction Act--
introduced by Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS)--which went on to become law.
  Through her work on the legislation, Marsha helped establish the 
Congressional Wind Hazard Reduction Caucus--a group dedicated to a 
major, measurable reduction in loss from devastating windstorms over 
the next decade. In addition, she organized related events for Members 
designed to raise awareness on the issue, including field hearings and 
district meetings.
  Marsha excelled at Member service and outreach. Many times, she was 
tasked with devising and executing events in Members' districts on 
behalf of the Committee. Her vast experience on legislative issues and 
her extensive organizational skills put her at ease in every community 
she visited, ensuring that the Member's event went off without a hitch. 
No matter the topic or the town, Marsha negotiated the challenges with 
ease.
  Active in the Capitol Hill community, Marsha has made friends and 
established extensive contacts as an active member of the Congressional 
Legislative Staff Association--serving on their board for the past four 
years.
  An energetic and accomplished Capitol Hill attorney with a heart for 
service and outreach, Marsha will be greatly missed on the Committee. 
We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________