[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E210-E211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 36-YEAR SERVICE OF FRANK BARNES TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF 
                            REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2007

  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Frank Barnes, a 
long-time House Armed Services Committee employee, on his retirement 
from the U.S. House of Representatives after 36 years of exemplary and 
professional service.
  Frank began his congressional career by joining the Office of the 
Speaker and Parliamentarian in 1972. Already then, Madam Speaker, were 
Frank's trademark traits--professionalism, dedication, loyalty, and 
kindness of spirit--in evidence. In fact, in a letter commending him 
for his service, Speaker Carl Albert wrote to Frank the following:

       ``Your ability to deal directly with the Members of the 
     House and their staffs when the occasion arose was 
     outstanding. This sets your job above most of those in other 
     offices around the Capitol, and your performance in this 
     regard has brought credit to yourself and to the Office of 
     the Speaker and Parliamentarian. But beyond your ability to 
     do a great job, I want to thank you for the manner in which 
     you did it. You were always courteous, thoughtful and 
     helpful. No task ever proved too difficult, and you 
     consistently seemed to do more than what was asked.

  Since March 5, 1979, the House Armed Services Committee has been 
fortunate to benefit from his abilities and skills. Serving six

[[Page E211]]

committee chairmen, Frank's contributions ensured the smooth operation 
of committee business, under frequently demanding hearing and mark-up 
schedules, and helped facilitate the annual defense authorization 
process. His dedication was such that even after suffering a stroke 
last year before markup, Frank chided his doctor for not allowing him 
to leave the hospital and go to work.
  Madam Speaker, too often public perception of Congress is colored by 
the actions of a few powerful or well-known figures. However, as one 
who shares Frank's long tenure on Capitol Hill, I know that Congress 
relies on the dedicated staff who steadfastly complete their work in 
the shadow of the dome and in the shadow of the limelight. Frank has 
tenaciously labored on behalf of our men and women in uniform as well 
as each of us in this Chamber and his absence will be felt by all who 
have had the privilege of working with him.
  Simply stated, Frank leaves a legacy that is both remarkable and 
unsurpassable.
  On behalf of all of the members of the House Armed Services Committee 
and his colleagues on the HASC staff, I congratulate Frank on his 
retirement and thank him for his exemplary public service. With deep 
appreciation, we extend to Frank, his wife Ann, his sons Frank Jr. and 
Glenn and their families every best wish for health and happiness in 
the years to come.

                          ____________________