[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 166 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE SERVICE AND DEDICATION OF DANA LICHTENBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dana 
Lichtenberg for her contributions to the Sixth District of Tennessee 
while serving on my Washington, DC staff. As any member of Congress 
knows, our legislative achievements and successful constituent services 
programs would not be possible without a cadre of great staff working 
behind the scenes. They work long hours--often for little pay or 
recognition--and their service is simply invaluable to those of us who 
serve in this esteemed chamber. Throughout my 26 years in Congress, I 
have been fortunate to have many bright, able staff members with an 
interest in serving their country by working in this body. Today, I'd 
like to single out those who are serving my constituents as my tenure 
comes to a close.
  Dana joined my staff in 1999 already a seasoned Hill staffer with 
experience in three congressional offices. After proving herself to 
possess incredible policy knowledge, she became my Legislative Director 
in 2007. She manages my legislative staff, oversees my legislative 
agenda and advises me on issues before the Energy and Commerce 
Committee.
  Many congressmen would count themselves lucky to have a Legislative 
Director as knowledgeable in one policy area as Dana is in ten. 
Although telecommunications policy has been her first love, her 
understanding of health care policy and the Patient Protection and 
Affordable Care Act is second to none. Her work in my office has taken 
her deep into small business, consumer protection and intellectual 
property policy. She will be leaving my office with 15 bills under her 
belt, notably the NET 911 Improvement Act that helped modernize 911 
systems for Internet-based phones and the SPARTA sports agents law that 
cracks down on unscrupulous sports agent activity at the college level.
  In the nearly 12 years since she joined my staff, Dana has seen major 
changes, from the excitement surrounding three presidential elections 
and two power shifts in the House, to the heartbreaking and frightening 
period surrounding the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. 
Throughout it all, Dana has managed a tight legislative team and 
mentored a number of great legislative staffers who have thrived under 
her tutelage and now work have successful careers elsewhere in 
Congress. Most importantly, Dana has never forgotten who she is working 
for. No matter how long her list of accomplishments grows, she is never 
too busy to help a Tennessean who has a concern related to federal 
legislation and walk them through it with patience and candor. Dana 
politely discusses legislation point-by-point with constituents who 
call with concerns, leading to many conversations ending with 
appreciation and understanding after beginning with angst and 
opposition. Dana always manages to keep herself busy both in the office 
and out with her gardening jobs, appreciation for good wine and trips 
home to her native California.
  Madam Speaker, it has been wonderful to have Dana to rely on as my 
Legislative Director. Dana, thank you for all your help and dedication 
over these many years. Your hard work has helped to make me a better 
congressman.

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