[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 191 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    A TRIBUTE TO MRS. PHYLLIS CAUSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRETT GUTHRIE

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2011

  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
friend and remarkable Kentuckian, Mrs. Phyllis Causey. In January, 
after over 39 years of honorable and selfless public service, she will 
retire.
  Her Lewisburg High School yearbook in 1968 contained a prophecy for 
her, saying, ``Phyllis will be in President Nixon's Cabinet in ten 
years.'' And although Nixon resigned while she was at basic training 
for the Army Reserve in 1974 and she never did make it to the White 
House, lucky for us she still decided to follow her passion for 
politics and public service.
  Phyllis graduated from Hopkinsville Community College in 1970 and 
received her Bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University in 
1972. Upon her graduation, Phyllis worked for WKU for the following 23 
years.
  In 1995, she was hired as a field representative for Congressman Ron 
Lewis and when I was elected to replace Congressman Lewis upon his 
retirement, Phyllis was kind enough to continue working for me.
  While traveling as a candidate for Congress, I met so many 
individuals whose first question to me was, to ask if I was keeping 
Phyllis on staff if I was elected. Their question was a testament to 
Phyllis' compassion, hard work, and dedication to the individuals in 
the counties she served. She was, and still is, irreplaceable.
  Phyllis grew up on a farm in Logan County, where her parents taught 
her the value of hard work and the importance of giving and caring for 
others. And throughout the nearly 20 years I have known Phyllis she has 
exemplified these values every day.
  She has been such an inspiration to me. She has always been devoted 
to the causes she believes in--church, family and friends. Phyllis is 
an incredible wife, daughter, sister and mother. I know her family, 
especially her husband Larry, will be happy to have her around more 
often.
  Although I will miss her, I know this is in no way a goodbye. I am 
positive she will continue to be active and touch the lives of those of 
us who have had the privilege of calling her a friend.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Phyllis Causey, who 
exemplifies what it means to be an American, a Kentuckian, a Christian 
and a public servant.

                          ____________________