[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO JOYCE HAMLETT: A WOMAN CONTINUING TO BLAZE NEW TRAILS AS 
                           KEEPER OF THE MACE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2007

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker and Members of Congress, as a 
Member of Congress, I am moved by Ms. Joyce Hamlett's trust in 
patience, trust in truth and trust that God has planned a great path 
for her life. I rise to ask you to join me in recognizing the excellent 
service and continued professional success of Ms. Joyce Hamlett, newly 
appointed Assistant Sergeant of Arms for the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  Congressional business begins when the Mace is set, and ends when it 
is lifted. There is one woman with the great responsibility to ensure 
that the Mace is available for this historical purpose. And, in times 
of emergency, one woman guards the Mace and preserves its protection.
  Ms. Joyce Hamlett is the first African American woman to serve as the 
Keeper of the Mace. Her moral upbringing prepared her for this 
honorable position. Ms. Hamlett was raised by her grandfather in a 
church community that fostered the importance of honesty and faith. 
Indeed, Ms. Hamlett's strong heritage has served as the guiding force 
throughout her career on Capitol Hill.
  In the early 1980s, Ms. Hamlett departed Broadway, North Carolina and 
began her successful professional journey alongside her mother, Betty 
Pearson, at the Capitol Cafe. Within five years, Ms. Hamlett rose to 
cook for lawmakers upstairs in the Capitol Hill restaurant.
  Her respectable interaction with lawmakers continued when she went on 
to serve as elevator operator under the Architect of the Capitol. 
During that time, she formed long-lasting friendships with many Members 
of Congress.
  In the early 1990s, Ms. Hamlett interviewed for the position of 
chamber security, and soon after began to firmly enforce House rules on 
the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. As chamber security, 
she was well-known as one who worked hard to safeguard the principles 
and rich tradition of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Because of her excellent service, Ms. Hamlett was promoted to her 
current position as Keeper of the Mace. Ms. Hamlett is not only Keeper 
of the Mace, but she is also keeper of a strong moral foundation and 
keeper of the wisdom and principle represented by the Mace's solid-
silver eagle.
  Madam Speaker and Members of Congress, I congratulate Ms. Joyce 
Hamlett, a woman that continues to blaze new trails with distinction as 
Assistant Sergeant of Arms for the U.S. House of Representatives.

                          ____________________