[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1500-E1501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING VALERIE HENRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and express 
sincere gratitude to Valerie Henry, who after 13 years of work on 
Capitol Hill, including seven years of service to the people of 
Oregon's Second Congressional District, is departing this institution 
today to become, as she puts it, full-time CEO of her household as she 
continues to raise her two wonderful children.
  Valerie has become very well-respected in the Congress as a sharp-as-
a-tack policy aide in health care, education, taxes, budget issues, and 
telecommunications. But don't just take my word for it. In 2005, the 
National Rural Health Association bestowed on her the NRHA Legislative 
Staff Award in recognition of her ongoing commitments to improving the 
health care of rural Americans.
  Valerie was born and raised just across the Potomac River in 
Alexandria, Virginia. She learned the value of representative democracy 
from her mom (Virginia Franco) who served for 30 years as the deputy 
registrar of voters for the city of Alexandria and oversaw the 
administration of hundreds of local, State and Federal elections.
  After graduating from her beloved Virginia Tech in 1997, she began 
her career on Capitol Hill as an intern for her home State senator and 
quintessential statesman, Senator John Warner. That internship 
eventually translated into a full-time job. She worked for Senator 
Warner through the historic impeachment proceedings of President Bill 
Clinton.
  While in Senator Warner's office, she also met her future husband, 
Patrick Henry, who worked for Senator Warner in his committee office. 
Pat remains a dedicated public servant, serving now as Special Agent in 
the U.S. Secret Service, and is one heck of a good guy.
  In 1999, Valerie joined the staff of Idaho Senator Mike Crapo shortly 
after he was sworn in as United States Senator. It was there, Madam 
Speaker, that Valerie says she developed her love for policy analysis 
and an appreciation for the impact that the Federal government has on 
the lives of individuals.
  A brief stint downtown with a health law and lobbying firm confirmed 
for Valerie that Capitol Hill was where her talents could best be put 
to use. So in April 2003, Valerie returned to the Hill as a legislative 
assistant in my Washington, D.C. office, where she faithfully served 
the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District for the next seven 
years.
  Through those years, Madam Speaker, Valerie provided essential 
guidance to me on several historic legislative measures, including the 
Medicare Modernization Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable 
Care Act.
  I and my staff celebrated when Valerie and Pat welcomed their first 
child in 2005--a daughter, Carlson ``Carly'' Jean Henry, named after 
Valerie, and again in 2009 when their son, Patrick ``Trip'' Timothy 
Henry III, was born. Carly and Trip are great kids, and fortunate to 
have such loving parents.
  Madam Speaker, it is these precious legacies that have lured Valerie 
away from our beloved House on Capitol Hill to her home in Falls 
Church, Virginia.
  I speak for all of Oregon's Second District, and this historic 
institution, when I say ``thank you'' to Valerie Henry for her selfless 
and valuable service over these years.
  Madam Speaker, I will greatly miss Valerie's highly informed counsel 
and wonderfully infectious personality. And I know the staff will miss 
the camaraderie that Valerie brought to the office every single day. 
While we might prefer not to lose her invaluable professional 
contributions, we are comforted knowing that our friend will never be 
that far away.

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