[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E42-E43]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STEVE AND SHARON RUSNAK TO RETIRE: 70 YEARS OF COMBINED SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2009

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the 
support staff that keeps the House up and running year-

[[Page E43]]

round and regardless of which party is in power. Specifically, I would 
like to pay tribute to Steve and Sharon Rusnak, a truly unique couple 
who will both be retired within the next few months after serving 
``behind the scenes'' in the House of Representatives for a truly 
remarkable combined service of 70 years.
  Most of our colleagues, along with countless numbers of our 
constituents, have been on the other side of Steve's camera lens and 
have benefited from the skill, talent, and quiet dignity that he has 
brought to his work in the Office of Photography for the past 32 years. 
Steve joined the staff of the House in January of 1977 and has been 
witness to and chronicled the tremendous changes that have occurred 
within the Congress and the Nation for more than three decades.
  After attending Ohio State University, Steve began his career as a 
lab technician and just retired from the House as senior photographer, 
having also served as acting manager for the Office of Photography last 
year. Through his skill, hard work, and long hours Steve has made an 
important contribution to the archives of the House, providing a visual 
recorded history and account of the House's work for these many years.
  In addition to being on hand to photograph the annual State of the 
Union Address and other official events inside and outside of the House 
chamber, Steve has traveled the four corners of the world to record on 
film the work of Members of the House. And for so many years he has 
rushed from office to office and to the steps of the House chamber, in 
all kinds of weather, to photograph the visits made by our constituents 
and other groups to Washington.
  In addition to the professionalism and ability he brings to his job 
as an official House photographer, his kind manner and ready smile have 
put many people at ease and given them a visual reminder of their visit 
to Capitol Hill which for many is a once in a lifetime opportunity. 
There is no telling how many people Steve has photographed and touched 
in such a unique way. Steve worked long hours and missed many lunches 
to do his job and to do it so well, and he was supported throughout the 
process by a woman who is no stranger to the long hours and unique 
workplace that exists here in the ``people's House.''
  Sharon Rusnak began her service in the House in 1967, as a summer 
intern to the late Congressman Carl D. Perkins, D-KY. After graduating 
from Berea College, she worked in his official office and went on to 
serve as executive assistant for him, and after his death, for his son 
Carl C. Perkins until 1993. In addition to maintaining a very full Hill 
schedule, Sharon earned a master's degree in education from George 
Washington University.
  After serving as office manager to former Representative Lynn Schenk, 
D-CA, Sharon joined the staff of former Congressman E ``Kika'' de la 
Garza, D-TX, and served as scheduler for the House Committee on 
Agriculture until Kika's retirement in 1996. For the next 8 years, she 
served as office manager for the committee's ranking minority member, 
former Congressman Charlie Stenholm, D-TX. Sharon is currently serving 
as chief administrative officer for the Agriculture Committee chaired 
by Congressman Collin C. Peterson, D-MN, and will remain in that 
position for the next few months.
  Despite the long hours and hectic schedules, Steve and Sharon Rusnak 
have enjoyed a happy and productive life away from the halls of 
Congress. They married in 1973 and raised two daughters, Shelley Brooke 
and Stacey LeeAnn, and took an active hand in helping nurture their 
children's educational and athletic abilities. Steve served as a youth 
basketball coach, youth soccer coach, and little league coach. A soccer 
player in her own right, Sharon also coached youth soccer, worked as a 
referee, and has experience as a liturgical dancer.
  Steve and Sharon's commitment to their children is clear. Shelley 
graduated from Christopher Newport University and Stacey took her first 
degree from Virginia Tech, subsequently earning a nursing degree from 
Marymount University in Arlington, VA.
  There is an expression that ``slow and steady wins the race.'' For 
more than three decades the House of Representatives has benefited from 
the tireless service of these very capable civil servants. You won't 
see their names on the election ballot every 2 years, but the work of 
this body would be impossible without individuals such as Steve and 
Sharon Rusnak. Their dedication to their jobs, their country and their 
family are an inspiration to us all and I would like to thank and 
commend them for their selfless service to this body. And I hasten to 
wish them a long, happy, and healthy retirement. They have certainly 
earned it.

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