[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO BERNA DEAN NIERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, during our time in Congress we all have 
benefitted from the efforts of our staffs. I certainly have been 
blessed with the services of wonderful people through my career. The 
standard in my office was set early in my professional life, before I 
came to Congress. The daughter of a friend became my assistant in 
private law practice and has been with me continuously since 1968. 
Berna Dean Nierman has been a true and faithful friend as well as a 
very competent and valuable employee through the years.
  The first person invited to join my Congressional staff was Berna 
Dean. She opened the office in Sedalia, MO, and has managed it 
continuously since 1977. She has handled thousands of constituent 
problems. She has been responsible for overseeing the process for 
selecting appointees to the various military academies and she has had 
responsibility for helping arrange tours for constituents who are 
visiting the Capitol from Missouri's 4th District. She has handled 
countless phone calls on legislative issues and problems in government 
and has always been professional in her response always.
  We have shared professional and personal triumphs and hardships. It 
has been a joy to watch her celebrate her marriage to Wayne Nierman and 
then to see the family grow as Christopher and Christine came along and 
developed into outstanding young adults in their own right. She was a 
friend and confidant to my late wife Susie. Her advice and counsel were 
always welcomed by her and I continue to benefit from her wise counsel.
  Berna Dean was my first employee and set a very high standard for 
those who followed. Her character and work ethic, along with an 
engaging and warm personality, reflect the small town values instilled 
in her by her wonderful parents.
  After 32 years of Congressional service and 40 years working with me, 
Berna Dean Nierman is retiring. She will be missed, but I know I am not 
losing a friend, but just changing the location where I can contact 
her. She and Wayne have my best wishes for many, many happy years 
together.
  I ask the Congress to join me in thanking her for her outstanding 
service to the people of the Fourth Congressional District of Missouri 
and our country.

                          ____________________