[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H15394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THANKING MR. BEN SOLOMON FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of a grateful House 
to say farewell to Ben Solomon. Ben is the manager of the Longworth 
convenience store, and we want to thank him for his 4 years of 
outstanding service to the United States House of Representatives.
  Employed for over 19 years by Guest Services, Incorporated, Ben's 
assignment to run the Longworth convenience store began on December 15, 
2003. Since that time, he has endeared himself to Members, House staff, 
and visitors.
  Ben has been nicknamed Mr. Mayor of Longworth Main Street because of 
his unwavering commitment to serve the needs of every customer to the 
fullest extent possible no matter who they are or their political 
affiliation. To Ben, all politics was local. He always greeted every 
customer warmly with his ever present smile and a kind word. Most of 
the 1,000 or so customers who pass through the store daily are greeted 
by name. His positive outlook never fails to make even strangers feel 
welcome.
  Ben can be proud of the level of service he provided to his customers 
each and every day. He viewed his work as a sacred duty, and felt no 
job was too small for him to do. He could be seen in the hallway 
working alongside his employees unpacking boxes of merchandise. At the 
same time, Ben would take the time to pause and say hello to any number 
of many familiar customers as they passed by the store. Ben brought a 
unique brand of sincerity and dedication to his job every single day. 
It is marvelous to look at each nook and cranny of the store shelves at 
the many unique and interesting things Ben would stock because one of 
his customers asked for it at an earlier visit.
  On behalf of the entire House community, we bid a fond farewell to 
our friend, Ben Solomon, and extend our deepest appreciation for his 
dedication and outstanding contributions to the House of 
Representatives. We wish him well. We wish him success in his future 
endeavors. He will sincerely be missed by all.
  We are also grateful to all those who serve in this great House, 
service to many of us in so many different ways, and especially honor 
Ben this evening.

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