[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING WARD HUSSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2009

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a great 
American and public servant, the Legislative Counsel of the House of 
Representatives, Ward Hussey.
  Ward Hussey's career was defined by service. He stood on the front 
lines of World War II and stormed the beaches of Okinawa. He got little 
attention in the public eye, but for 43 years in the Office of 
Legislative Counsel, he was the wordsmith of the House; a core player 
in the legislative process; a truly indispensible voice and a source of 
institutional knowledge and intelligence for every Member of Congress.
  Ward Hussey held no allegiance to party or partisan causes--only to 
his country, the Congress, and the people of the United States.
  His job was to give form to ideas and to turn vague proposals into 
concrete pieces of legislation. Always remaining behind the scenes, he 
called himself a ``catalyst,'' a man who ``filled in'' the details and 
made sure all sides were represented. Always an example of hard work, 
commitment, and duty, his colleagues called him a kind and decent man, 
who brought an extraordinary knowledge and discipline to the job.
  Ward Hussey left a deep imprint on our national identity, our social 
fabric, and our daily lives. His fingerprints can be found on the 
Marshall Plan, the interstate highway system, and Medicare. Most 
significantly, his words and expertise formed the foundation of our 
modern tax code.
  Over more than 4 decades of service, Ward Hussey's, achievements 
became the cornerstones of our common progress as a country.
  I hope it is a comfort to Ward Hussey's children, grandchildren, 
great-grandchild, family and friends that the House of Representatives 
mourns the loss of this giant of the Capitol and is praying for them in 
this sad time. May his legacy live on in our ongoing pursuit of 
legislative achievement.

                          ____________________