[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 168 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO GERALDINE GENNET

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2007

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and express thanks to 
Geraldine Gennet for her dedicated service as General Counsel of the 
House of Representatives.
  Under the rules of the House, the Office of the General Counsel 
should provide legal advice and assistance to all Members of Congress, 
committees, officers, and employees without regard to political 
affiliation. Since her 1997 appointment by Speaker Newt Gingrich to 
lead that office, Ms. Gennet has dutifully fulfilled that obligation. 
Despite the unfortunate partisan tenor within Congress over the past 10 
years, the Office of the General Counsel unfailingly has been a 
professional, nonpartisan advocate for individuals across the 
ideological spectrum--this is a testament to Ms. Gennet and to her 
ability to place the long term interests of the institution before 
parochial concerns and partisanship.
  In addition to providing general legal guidance to Members and staff 
on issues related to subpoenas, requests for information, and tort 
claims, Ms. Gennet also worked tirelessly to uphold the institutional 
privileges and immunities of the House of Representatives. Upon my 
election as Democratic Whip, I became a member of the Bipartisan Legal 
Advisory Group, otherwise known as BLAG. This body is comprised of both 
Democratic and Republican leadership and is responsible for directing 
the Office of the General Counsel to file amicus briefs on behalf of 
the House of Representatives. During my work with BLAG, I had the 
opportunity to observe first-hand the deep respect Ms. Gennet has for 
the House of Representatives. Ms. Gennet is a firm believer in the 
separation of powers and in the speech or debate clause of the 
Constitution. When it may have been more expedient to relent on these 
issues, Ms. Gennet fought to preserve the powers and prerogatives of 
the Congress.
  On behalf of myself and the members of my Caucus, I again want to 
extend my deepest thanks to Geraldine Gennet for her service and I wish 
her the best with her future endeavors.

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