[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E200-E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                REGION X

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of five 
outstanding individuals who served the citizens of Region X, 
encompassing the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. These 
individuals served with the true ``heart of a servant'' at the Federal 
agencies to which they were appointed. Each of them served the people 
of the greater Northwest admirably and leave a superb legacy of 
service.
  The citizens of Region X were represented at the Department of Labor, 
DOL, by W. Walter Liang, the Department of Education, DOE, by Donna 
Foxley, the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, by James 
Whitfield, the United States Department of Agriculture for Rural 
Development, USDA-RD, by Jon DeVaney, and the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, HUD, by John Meyers.
  Mr. Liang has spent his entire career serving the American people. 
Prior to being named the Region X representative at DOL, Mr. Liang 
served as a congressional appointee, a gubernatorial appointee in 
California and a Presidential appointee at the Small Business 
Administration. Liang, who served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, has 
received various awards for his work in public service and community 
involvement throughout his wonderful career. Mr. Liang's counterpart at 
the DOE, Ms. Foxley, joined the Department in April of 2002 immediately 
helping to implement the No Child Left Behind Act. Ms. Foxley, a native 
of

[[Page E201]]

Washington State, taught physically and mentally challenged adults at 
the Christian Day Camp prior to joining the Department and also served 
as the civilian advisor for the Washington State Patrol's Explorer 
Program.
  Mr. Whitfield was appointed as HHS Region X representative in July of 
2005 and focused much of his time on Medicare prescription drug 
coverage, information technology issues and health disparities within 
the American Indian and Alaskan Native communities. Previously, he was 
the senior officer for community relations for the Washington Health 
Foundation in Seattle, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health of 
Washington communities. Additionally, Mr. Whitfield is the President of 
CityClub--an organization committed to civil engagement and non-
partisan civil discourse.
  Mr. DeVaney joined USDA-RD as the director in Washington State in 
2005. Mr. DeVaney was responsible for providing assistance and 
delivering over 40 loan and grant programs supporting the development 
of public utilities and infrastructure, affordable housing and job 
creation in rural areas. Before joining USDA, Mr. DeVaney served as an 
aide to my colleague from Washington, Congressman Doc Hastings and was 
also a Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the Northwest 
Horticultural Council.
  Mr. Meyers joined HUD as the Region X Director in 2001 after a 
prolific career in State and Federal government and politics at all 
levels. He served during the Reagan administration at HUD, served as 
the executive director of both the California and Washington State 
Republican parties and worked alongside my predecessor, former 
Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn.
  As the five dedicated individuals mentioned above transition out of 
the leadership positions they held at their respective federal 
agencies, I wish them all the best and offer one final `thank you' for 
their exemplary service.

                          ____________________