[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H1874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H1874]]
  HONORING DENNIS KING ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC 
                                SERVICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Chief of Staff, 
Dennis King, who is retiring from the House of Representatives after 33 
years of distinguished public service.
  Dennis, a native of Miami, Florida, first came to Congress as a 
Special Assistant to the late Representative Dante Fascell. He then 
served as Chief of Staff for my friend and predecessor, Representative 
Lane Evans.
  When I asked Dennis to continue in the same role on my staff, he 
enthusiastically accepted, saying he felt like he had ``unfinished 
business to take care of.'' Dennis' decision to extend his service 
shows his dedication, not only to the people of the 17th District of 
Illinois, but to working families and to veterans everywhere.
  Dennis and I have been very close friends for over 25 years. We share 
the same values. Some might wonder how Dennis, a Duke University 
graduate with a Georgetown law degree, could form such a close bond 
with me, a factory worker from West Central Illinois. It's simple. 
Dennis cares about the people of the 17th District as much as I do.
  When Congressman Evans hired me to be his District Director and 
Dennis was my supervisor, he had faith in me from day 1, serving as a 
mentor and pulling me from the edge of the cliff during the times I 
lost my way. I will always be grateful for the chance Dennis gave me.
  And Dennis is also a congenial and friendly person. Current and 
former staff say they will miss sitting in his office talking about 
everything from politics to family to sports. No matter what time of 
day or how busy Dennis was, he always put down whatever he was doing 
the minute someone walked into his office. The care and attention he 
gave to every single person is one of the major reasons he's so 
beloved.
  Another trait I admire in Dennis is his brilliant political mind. I 
asked him to be my Chief of Staff because, as a new Member of Congress, 
I knew I needed someone who understood Capitol Hill inside and out, and 
whom I could trust to keep me on the right path. Dennis has amazed me 
with his intuitions, decision-making and loyalty, always choosing the 
right course for the people of my district and this Nation.
  It cannot go without saying that when one thinks of Dennis King, one 
thinks of Lane Evans and vice versa. The two men were like brothers, a 
friendship that started when they attended law school at Georgetown 
University. And together they made history fighting for veterans and 
working families across our Nation.
  Dennis often mentions how much he learned from Lane, but the truth is 
that Dennis taught Lane so much as well. He was an integral part of all 
the great things Lane was able to accomplish.
  I want to also acknowledge Dennis' family, his wife, Nancy, and his 
two sons, Steven and Jeffrey. As most of you know, the job of Chief of 
Staff can take a toll on one's family. The time commitment is great and 
the stress can be overwhelming. Nancy has demonstrated remarkable 
patience over the years and remains an incredible source of support for 
Dennis. Next year Dennis and Nancy will celebrate their silver wedding 
anniversary, a true testament to their love and respect for each other. 
I wish them both the best in whatever life brings them.
  And Dennis, although I say this with a heavy heart, congratulations 
on your retirement. Thank you for your service, your laughs, your hard 
work. Your efforts and advice have allowed us to accomplish many great 
things in my first term and have ultimately made me a much better 
Member of this body. Your spirit, humor, intelligence and the ease by 
which you led the Hare team will be missed.
  Best of luck, and please keep in touch.
  God bless.

                          ____________________