[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING DARLA SMALLWOOD-WRAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 
constituents of the Third Congressional District of Florida and myself, 
I rise today to remember and honor the life of someone very dear to me, 
my congressional office, and so many people here in the Washington, 
D.C. area, as well as many, many people of the Third Congressional 
District of Florida: my scheduler, office manager, and executive 
assistant, Mrs. Darla Smallwood-Wran, who passed away from breast 
cancer this morning.
  When I came to Washington and hired the scheduler of my predecessor, 
Congressman Charlie Bennett, I thought at the time she was overpaid. 
Quickly, however, I began to realize that there was no dollar amount 
that could be placed on the value of Darla. A scheduler, office 
manager, I discovered very quickly is the foundation of an effective 
congressional office. And Darla, with her strong, persistent 
personality, her organizational skills, dotting every ``i'' and 
crossing every ``t,'' she never missed a beat. For 17 years, Darla was 
the face of my Washington office.
  I want to say to her family, her father who is a police officer here, 
her mother and sisters and her loving husband, we love her, we can't 
replace her, and we will deeply, deeply miss her.
  As many times as I would have to change my flights, as often as the 
vote schedule changed, as frequently as meetings had to be coordinated, 
updated, rearranged, Darla was ever dependable, and always cool-headed, 
making everyone feel that the situation was always under control, even 
as my other staffers nervously buzzed in and out of the room.
  Everyone who came in knew her, and certainly knew not to lean on her 
desk, touch the plants on her desk or worse than anything, interrupt 
her if she was on a call. I think everyone would agree that Darla was 
loved, and respected, by everyone who came into contact with her.
  Her unmistakable smile, witty sense of humor and love of life blew 
fresh air and positive energy into the office.
  My heart and prayers go out to Darla and to her family, in particular 
her mother and father, her sisters, and her loving husband Channing.
  You are irreplaceable Darla, and you will be deeply missed.
  In addition, I want to say that I am in support of the Haitian 
resolution before the House. I have always said to whom God has given 
much, much is expected. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of 
the island of Haiti and to the Haitian community who live here in the 
United States and around the world. The loss of life and destruction of 
property in Haiti is unthinkable.
  I want to thank the ministers, the business community, the 
organizations that have organized in our community, the Third 
Congressional District. We have seven tractor-trailers that will be 
going to Haiti filled with water, baby formula, dry cereal, blankets, 
tents, and sleeping bags. I want to say that the Royal Caribbean cruise 
line is carrying those goods over free of cost. I am very encouraged 
how the community is coming together to help the people of Haiti, and I 
can truly say, if you are interested in being helpful, go to the Web 
site and see how you can also participate.
  In closing, I really do believe to whom God has given much, much is 
expected.

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