[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING ALISA FERGUSON FOR HER DEDICATED SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Alisa 
Ferguson for her dedicated service over the last six years as she has 
worked in my personal office and on the staff of the Science and 
Technology Committee. Friday will be her last day working in the House, 
and she will certainly be missed as she leaves the Hill to pursue a new 
endeavor.
  Alisa began her career on Capitol Hill seven years ago as a 
legislative assistant to Rep. Brian Baird, where she developed an 
affinity for energy policy. In 2003, she began working in my personal 
office and quickly proved herself to be a valuable addition. She was 
adept at handling a myriad of issues, including appropriations and my 
Energy and Commerce Committee work, and addressing the concerns and 
needs of my constituents in Middle Tennessee.
  When I became chairman of the Science and Technology Committee in 
2007, I asked Alisa to join the committee staff as legislative 
director. She has risen to and triumphed over every challenge, and she 
has won the respect of her colleagues for her skill in running the 
committee's legislative operation. Two of the committee's finest 
legislative achievements, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
2007 and the America COMPETES Act, are due in no small measure to 
Alisa's command of the issues, knowledge of the legislative process and 
ability to get things done.
  Alisa has been invaluable to me, the committee, the state of 
Tennessee and our nation. She is the very definition of a ``go-to'' 
person, and I'm fairly certain her blood now bears a tinge of MTSU 
Raider Blue as a result of her hard work over the years.
  While I am sad to see her go, I will always be grateful for her 
advice and counsel over the years. Alisa, I wish you all the best.

                          ____________________