[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 29 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO KAREN HAAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2007

  Mr. HASTERT. Madam Speaker I would like to mark Karen L. Haas' last 
day as Clerk of the House with a word of personal thanks.
  When I asked Karen to be Clerk in the fall of 2005 she wasn't sure 
she could do the job or even wanted it. I never doubted her talents and 
her ability to do the job, nor did anyone who knew her. Luckily for us, 
she agreed to my request, and the House wisely elected her to the 
position of Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  I knew Karen would bring intelligence and integrity to the position, 
and she has. She brought her perfectionist work ethics to the job, 
working the long hours even after the House had adjourned and everyone 
else had gone home. When there were difficulties to face, Karen did it 
with a level head, common sense, and the best interest of this 
institution as her guide.
  Karen's love for this institution would permeate in everything she 
did in office and influenced those having the privilege to work beside 
her. My only regret is that her tenure was too short.
  Before she was named as Clerk of the House, Karen ably served the 
Speaker's staff as a floor assistant. She made sure the right people 
were in the Speaker's chair each day and for every debate. She assisted 
me with our committee assignments and always had a ready answer for any 
question. Karen was also responsible for my appointments to boards and 
commissions, and she helped recruit some fine public servants to serve 
in those positions.
  Before working in my office, she worked for my friend and mentor from 
Illinois, Bob Michel. She had good teachers there, and it was there 
that she developed the talents that would serve her and this House so 
well in the future.
  I also want to thank Karen's family for sharing her with us. The 
night that she was elected Clerk, her family sat in the Speaker's 
gallery as she was sworn in. You could see in their faces how proud 
they were of their daughter, sister, wife and mother. Mark, her 
husband, and her children, Amanda and Brett, have sacrificed much in 
order that the House could benefit from Karen's talents. I want to 
acknowledge them and thank them as well for sharing with us one of the 
finest public servants I have ever known. Thank you, Karen, for a job 
well done.

                          ____________________