[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 124 (Thursday, September 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             JEAN D. MATHIS RETIREMENT: SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the retirement 
of Jean D. Mathis whose contributions to the United States Drug 
Enforcement Administration have been unparalleled.
  Ms. Mathis was born on March 3, 1950 in Washington, DC. She attended 
DC public schools (Anthony Bowen Elementary, Randall Junior High and 
Dunbar High) and graduated from Howard University in 1972.
  Ms. Mathis worked throughout her junior high, high school and college 
years and was introduced at an early age to work in government service.
  Immediately following her graduation from college, she began her 
first full-time employment in the Federal Service with the District of 
Columbia Department of Corrections, where she worked until 1975. In 
October 1975, she began her employment with the United States Drug 
Enforcement Administration (DEA). Ms. Mathis distinguished herself from 
the beginning and quickly advanced through the ranks of the Operational 
Support Division. In 1990, Ms. Mathis was appointed as the Deputy 
Assistant Administrator of the Office of Personnel, becoming one of the 
first two women to enter DEA's Senior Executive Service (SES) and the 
first African-American woman promoted to the rank of SES. In 1994, Ms. 
Mathis was promoted to Assistant Administrator for Human Resources 
becoming DEA's first female Assistant Administrator.
  Ms. Mathis's stellar career is marked by numerous exemplary 
achievements. Under her direction, the DEA instituted validated testing 
for senior law enforcement personnel, drug testing for employees and 
applicants, and psychological testing for Special Agents. In 1999, she 
played a vital leadership role in the opening of DEA's state of the art 
training facility in Quantico, Virginia. Ms. Mathis is a longstanding 
member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives 
(NOBLE), and served as a member of the Training and Education 
Committee. She also chaired this committee for 2 years.

  Ms. Mathis' outstanding work ethic and diligence have been recognized 
with a plethora of awards and commendations over the years. Moreover, 
her DEA accomplishments have been recognized government-wide as she 
distinguished herself and the DEA as a two-time recipient of the 
Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Performance in 1995 and 2001.
  Over the years, Ms. Mathis has participated in extensive training 
programs including Management Training at the John F. Kennedy School of 
Government, University of Southern California and is a 2003 Brookings 
Fellow. It was as a Brookings Fellow that Jean came to work in my 
office and I received the benefit of her experience and wisdom. I have 
been actively engaged in the problems associated with illegal narcotics 
throughout my congressional career and have been aware of the role of 
the Drug Enforcement Administration in the implementation of our 
national anti-narcotics policies. Yet Jean Mathis taught me a great 
deal and enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the complexities 
of addressing the challenges of narcotics addiction and control. She 
performed superbly as my Congressional staff assistant and I regretted 
her return to the DEA.
  In summary, the essence of Ms. Mathis' career was captured in a 
number of performance award justifications over the years including 
several DEA Administrators for whom she worked directly. Among them was 
former DEA Administrator Thomas A. Constantine who stated, ``Ms. Mathis 
leads by example, demanding high ethical standards and conscientious 
work. Her outstanding work ethic and diligence inspire and challenge 
her staff.'' Ms. Mathis has inspired all of those who were fortunate 
enough to work for or with her. Ms. Mathis' tenacious spirit and 
pursuit of excellence will be missed at DEA but will continue to 
inspire those who engage her throughout her retirement and personal 
endeavors.

                          ____________________