[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICERS AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF 
THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HOUSE 
         AND RECIPIENTS OF THE HOUSE EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANIEL E. LUNGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2011

  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate and recognize outstanding employees of the Officers (Clerk 
of the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer) and 
the Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives who have 
reached the milestone of 25 years of service to the U.S. House of 
Representatives, as well as the recipients of the House Employee 
Excellence Award.
  The House's most important asset is its dedicated and exceptional 
employees, whose work often behind the scenes, is vital in keeping the 
operations and services of the House running smoothly and efficiently. 
The employees we recognize today are acknowledged and commended for 
their hard work, dedication, professionalism, support of House Members 
and their staffs and constituents, and for their contributions day-in 
and day-out to the overall operations of the House. These employees 
have a wide range of responsibilities that support the legislative 
process, assure the security of the institution, maintain our 
technology and service infrastructure, and contribute to a more 
effective and efficiently operating House support structure. They have 
accomplished a great many things in a wide range of activities, and the 
House of Representatives and its Members, staff, and the general 
public, are better served because of them.
  We honor the individuals named below for 25 years of dedicated 
service to the House. Collectively, this group has provided two hundred 
seventy-five (275) years of service to the U.S. House of 
Representatives:
  Gretchen Ewers, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Kevin Harris, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Darius Holmes, Office of the Sergeant at Arms;
  Thomas E. Mako, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Craig D. Pence, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Dean Phan, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Paul Rossiter, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Airlie Shoemaker, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  David Sparling, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Matthew B. Smith, Office of the Clerk;
  Saundra E. Watkins, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.
  We also recognize and congratulate four House employees for receiving 
the Employee Excellence Award. This is a merit-based award, given to 
one employee from each House Officer organization, and the Office of 
Inspector General. Selected employees exhibited outstanding overall job 
performance and displayed a willingness to go above and beyond the call 
of duty throughout the last year. We honor the individuals named below 
for receiving this prestigious award.
  Traci L. Brasher, Office of the Sergeant at Arms;
  Faye Cobb, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer;
  Michele Herzfeld, Office of the Clerk;
  Gregory M. Roberts, Office of Inspector General.
  On behalf of the entire House community, I extend congratulations and 
once again recognize and thank these employees for their 
professionalism and commitment to the U.S. House of Representatives as 
a whole, and in particular to their respective House Officers and the 
Inspector General. Their long hours and hard work are invaluable, and 
their years of unwavering service, dedication, and commitment to the 
House set an example for their colleagues and other employees who will 
follow in their footsteps. I celebrate our honorees, and I am proud to 
stand before you and the nation on their behalf to recognize the 
importance of their public service.

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