[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ADRIENNE THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2011

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Adrienne 
Thomas, the Deputy Archivist of the United States who is retiring after 
41 years of distinguished service with the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). Ms. Thomas began her career of federal 
service straight out of Iowa State University as an archivist trainee 
in the Office of Presidential Libraries. Since then, she has held a 
number of important policy and administrative positions. Early in her 
career, she was instrumental in transforming the Archives into an 
institution at the forefront of a revolution in public access to 
records, following the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act and 
the Privacy Act. During the 1980s, she served as the Director of 
Planning and Analysis and, in 1985, she was instrumental in putting in 
place the structure that allowed the Archives to operate as a newly 
created independent agency, no longer under the direction of the 
General Services Administration.
  Perhaps her most celebrated contributions to this nation are the 
magnificent public spaces where she was intimately involved in 
overseeing construction and renovation during her time as NARA's head 
of Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Her vision has shown the 
world that archives don't have to be dark dusty repositories. This year 
alone, one million people will see her attention to detail and love of 
history when they visit the historic National Archives Building in 
Washington, DC to view the Charters of Freedom and other American 
milestone documents, respectfully and accessibly displayed following a 
building renovation in 2003. Another place where her dedication to 
excellence for the American people can be seen is just up the road in 
College Park, Maryland, home to NARA's state-of-the-art facility known 
as ``Archives II,'' which opened in 1994. Ms. Thomas oversaw Archives 
II from concept to ribbon cutting. It stands today as the premier 
archival research center in the world--the gold standard--and a great 
source of pride in my congressional district.
  From archivist trainee to Deputy Archivist of the United States, Ms. 
Thomas has mentored hundreds of employees and inspired millions of 
people who visit our National Archives buildings across the country. It 
is truly my honor to pay tribute today to Ms. Adrienne Thomas, a real 
``National Treasure'' who worked for the American people for 41 years.

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