[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO BETSY REIFSNYDER

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I rise today to recognize Betsy 
Reifsnyder, a dedicated public servant who is retiring in July after 
nearly 25 years of service to the U.S. Congress.
  Ms. Reifsnyder came to the Library of Congress in 1984 as part of an 
intern program and then moved on to the Congressional Research Service 
in 1985 as a reference librarian. She has worked in a number of 
challenging roles, and will retire as the data architect of the 
Congressional Research Service.
  Throughout her years at CRS, Ms. Reifsnyder has performed complex and 
institution-supporting duties. Her leadership, sound judgment, and 
creative work, coupled with her technical expertise and her positive 
approach to any project or problem were keys to the early and continued 
success of the Legislative Information System, LIS. Her dedication and 
ability to find solutions have earned her a trust, and confidence, that 
echoes throughout the legislative branch.
  An expert in the legislative process, data structures, and online 
search systems, she was instrumental in moving legislative data into 
the Internet age. Ms. Reifsnyder has played an active role in the 
development of improvements and advanced features for LIS retrieval and 
display to meet the needs of congressional staff.
  Both Congress and the general public have benefited greatly from her 
work on the THOMAS and LIS, systems which have allowed access to 
reliable and timely legislative information. Congressional Members and 
staff will continue to benefit from her work, due to her major 
contributions to the plans for LIS 2.0. Her vision and leadership have 
shaped the data-entry system for legislative summaries and other 
resources that have made it easier for all of us to have access to 
reliable legislative information.
  Although, Betsy Reifsnyder will be retiring, her many accomplishments 
will stand as a fitting tribute to her career and her person. Ms. 
Reifsnyder's presence will be greatly missed, and I wish her and her 
family all the best as she enters the next phase of her life.

                          ____________________