[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E382-E383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE CONGRESSIONAL SERVICE OF PAT KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2011

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maura Patricia Kelly on 
her retirement as a congressional aide after an astounding 53 and 1/2 
years of decorated service.
  Patricia Kelly was born on June 5, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York. She is 
the daughter of Edward Kelly, a New York City Court Justice, and Edna 
F. Kelly, a former Member of the United States House of 
Representatives. ``Pat'' as she is affectionately known, describes her 
childhood as an exciting and loving time. As she made her way from the 
Marymount High School in New York City to Marymount College in 
Tarrytown, New York, Pat learned the importance of receiving a quality 
education. She graduated with honors in 1955 with a bachelor's degree 
in Political Science and History.
  Pat's family has a long history of public service that started with 
her grandfather, William E. Kelly, who was appointed by President 
Woodrow Wilson to be Postmaster of Brooklyn, New York. After college, 
Pat quickly joined the family business, getting her feet wet in 
politics by helping her mother, Edna, get elected to the congressional 
district that represented Brooklyn, New York. Pat began her 
congressional career as a research analyst for the House Committee on 
Un-American Activities and shortly thereafter, began her service as a 
legislative assistant to Members of Congress Edna F. Kelly, Martha W. 
Griffiths, and Matthew F. McHugh. Pat then assumed the role of 
legislative assistant to the House Rules Committee. In 1979, Pat took 
the position of Editor of the House Daily Digest, in the Office of the 
Clerk, where she was required to interact regularly with it's 21 
standing committees and two select committees. Pat held this position 
until her retirement on March 1, 2011--becoming one of the longest 
serving employees ever to work for the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Pat cites her mother Edna as the catalyst behind her decision to 
devote her life to public service. When asked about her mother, Pat 
often uses words like: hard working, passionate, honest, dedicated, 
principled and always congenial. Pat says that many members and staff 
in the House often referred to her mother as ``Madam Protocol.'' 
Everyone who knows Pat knows that ``the apple did not fall far from the 
tree.'' Pat and her mother not only loved the House but they loved 
helping people in and outside it.
  In 1976, Pat was named Roll Call's ``Congressional Staffer of the 
Year.'' That same year she was chosen as the President of the 
Congressional Staff Club. More recently, she was honored for her years 
of outstanding service to the House. Over her career, Pat was fortunate 
to work on many pieces of landmark legislation including the Equal Pay 
Act and the Equal Rights Amendment.
  We wish Pat well in retirement and will always remember her efforts 
to make this institution run more efficiently in the service of the 
American people.

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