[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 26 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H955-H956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PAYING TRIBUTE TO STACY PALMER-BARTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my long-time 
staff member and dear friend, Stacy Barton, as she departs from her 
distinguished service to the United States Congress.
  Stacy has served as my chief of staff for four terms as the 
Representative from Ohio's Third Congressional District. She has served 
the people of my community with great enthusiasm and unrivaled 
commitment, and will be missed by all who have had the honor of working 
with her.
  Stacy grew up in Calvert County, Maryland, where her grandparents 
owned a tobacco farm. She attended both Northern Middle and Northern 
High schools, later enrolling at St. Mary's College to major in 
psychology and sociology.
  After beginning her graduate studies at the University of Delaware, 
Stacy enrolled in a fellowship program through the Congressional Black 
Caucus Foundation. It was then that she began her Hill career, serving 
the distinguished Member from Washington, D.C., Eleanor Holmes Norton.
  Following her fellowship, Stacy remained in Representative Norton's 
office for another year before leaving the Hill.
  She later served as the director of government relations for a firm 
with a focus on urban development, representing clients such as the 
U.S. Conference of Mayors.
  I first met Stacy in her work with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and 
for the City of Dayton, Ohio.
  Stacy formed her own lobbying firm, the Barton Company, in January 
1999, advocating for many mayors throughout the country. She served as 
the city of Dayton's Washington, D.C., office when I served as the 
mayor of Dayton.
  In 2002, Stacy closed her firm to serve as chief of staff in my 
Congressional office on the seventh floor of the Longworth House office 
building. She served with great distinction and, at times, has been the 
only African American chief of staff to a Republican Member in either 
the House or the Senate. It has been suggested that Stacy Barton may be 
the first female African American to serve as chief of staff to a 
Republican Member of the House. And I dare say that she probably is the 
only staffer from Eleanor Holmes Norton's office to serve as chief of 
staff to a Republican Member of Congress.
  As is often the case with life on the hill, Stacy's public service 
has come with many personal sacrifices, including spending a great deal 
of time away from her husband, Lee, and her two incredible children, 
Morgan and Miles.
  In addition to the battles fought daily on Capitol Hill, Stacy has 
lived with multiple sclerosis, cared for her mother who was diagnosed 
with cancer, and raised a daughter with autism.
  Stacy and I have worked together for over 10 years. Stacy, as you 
leave the seventh floor of Longworth this evening, I owe you my sincere 
thanks and gratitude for your friendship and for your counsel.

[[Page H956]]

  I wish you a happy new beginning.

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