[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RETIREMENT OF GREG HARNESS

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, on January 31, 2008, the Senate Librarian, 
Mr. Greg Harness, will retire. With his departure, we will lose a 
dedicated, loyal, and very important member of the Senate family.
  The Senate Library is a fundamental part of the U.S. Senate. 
Operating under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate, the 
Senate Library serves as both a legislative and general reference 
library, and provides a wide variety of information services to 
Senators and our staffs in a prompt and timely fashion. It maintains a 
comprehensive collection of congressional and governmental publications 
and of materials relating to the specialized needs of the Senate.
  The origins of this unique and important institution date back to 
1792, when the Senate directed the Secretary ``to procure and deposit 
in his office, the laws of the states, for the use of the Senate.'' The 
first Senate Librarian to be appointed was George S. Wagner, who 
officially commenced his duties on July 1, 1871.
  In 1997, Greg Harness became the 17th Senate Librarian. A native of 
North Dakota, Mr. Harness began work in the Senate Library on October 
20, 1975, as a reference librarian. He planned to work only a few years 
in Washington and then return to North Dakota to attend law school. 
Fortunately, his plans changed.
  Mr. Harness continued his employment in the Senate Library for the 
next 32 years. As a reference librarian, Mr. Harness was a wonderful 
and pleasant person with whom to work. He undertook every request, no 
matter how large or small, how urgent or demanding, whether from the 
majority or the minority, and answered it effectively, professionally, 
and promptly. He always took that extra step to ensure that the Senator 
or his staff member received the best, the most accurate, and the most 
recent information.
  As the Senate Librarian, Mr. Harness directed the administrative and 
professional operations of the Senate Library. He oversaw the movement 
of the Library from the Capitol to the Russell Building in 1999 and 
oversaw the design of the new Senate Library. More important, he 
continued that same cooperative, helpful attitude that he had always 
displayed as a reference librarian. As a result, he set a model of 
superior service for his entire staff.
  Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Harness 
for his years of loyalty to the Senate, as well as his dedicated and 
distinguished service. And, I want him to know that my staff and I will 
certainly miss him. I wish him happiness and success as he enters the 
next phase of his life.

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