[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO DEBORAH COHN AND THE USPTO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Deborah Cohn, 
deputy commissioner for Trademark Operations at the United States 
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), for her leadership in promoting 
government telework. With her creativity and perseverance, Deborah Cohn 
pioneered the development of the USPTO's first telework program at a 
time when telework was far from the norm. Convincing reluctant agency 
executives, Ms. Cohn forged coalitions with managers, IT personnel, and 
the employee union to create an innovative, award-winning telework 
program at the USPTO.
  This month, the Trademark Work at Home (TWAH) program celebrates its 
10th anniversary. Established in 1997, TWAH began as a feasibility 
pilot of 18 teleworkers. Today, TWAH is the most innovative and 
progressive program in the entire Federal Government involving more 
than 220 employees, or 85 percent of eligible examining attorneys, who 
spend the vast majority of their workweek at home.
  The lesson learned from Hurricane Katrina is that governments and 
private sector businesses must continue to operate if our Nation is 
faced with similar disasters in the future. Telecommuting has proven 
benefits, not only for continuity of operations, but also energy 
savings, air quality, employee productivity, and employee cost savings. 
In short, telework is a winner all around. As the Nation's largest 
employer, the Federal Government should be the leader in telework 
policy. The USPTO is the gold standard for the Federal Government 
thanks to the efforts of my constituent, Deborah Cohn.
  Ms. Cohn began her career at the USPTO as a trademark examining 
attorney in 1983. In 2001, she joined the Senior Executive Service as a 
Trademark Group director. She became deputy commissioner for Trademark 
Operations in 2005 and currently oversees the examination and 
processing of applications throughout the trademark operation.
  Throughout her legal career at the USPTO, Ms. Cohn has been involved 
in work-life improvement initiatives. She is a former Council of 
Excellence in Government fellow where she first developed the seeds of 
the trademark work-at-home program. Ms. Cohn is a graduate of The 
American University and George Mason University School of Law. Ms. Cohn 
is a sought after resource and speaker as an expert on the development 
and management of telework programs.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Ms. Cohn's efforts in 
making the USPTO the most successful telework program within the 
Federal Government. I also ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the 10th anniversary of the Trademark Office's award-winning telework 
program.

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