[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 193 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF DOTTIE P. MARSHALL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2011

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today, I come before this body to 
give praise and express gratitude to Dottie P. Marshall, National Park 
Service Superintendent for the George Washington Memorial Parkway. 
Dottie is retiring this month after close to forty years of service 
with the National Park Service. She began her career in 1971 as a 
member of the Youth Conservation Corps at Harpers Ferry National 
Historic Park. She went on to direct one of the service's Youth 
Conservation Corps camps. Over the years she has been a budget analyst, 
administrative officer, Deputy Superintendent, Associate Regional 
Director and Superintendent.
  I first met Dottie when she began work at the George Washington 
Memorial Parkway more than 12 years ago. The Parkway is the largest 
contiguous property in my congressional district. It includes Arlington 
House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial and the Women in the Military Service 
for America Memorial, more than 29 sites and resources. They all 
enhance the lives of my constituents on a daily basis. Of course, 
throughout our acquaintance there have been dozens of contentious 
issues we have had to deal with over the years. But, almost all of them 
have been resolved amicably. And in the pressure cooker that the 
Nation's capital can become, she has deftly managed to solve problems 
large and small before any lids were blown. Dottie epitomizes ``grace 
under fire.''
  Recounting them now is like a walk down memory lane. From standing 
with her when rumors about the imminent closure of the popular Belle 
Haven Marina generated a large and angry turnout to discussing which 
type of plant would be the ideal buffer between a residential 
neighborhood and Jones Point Park, Dottie has shown leadership and 
wisdom. In every circumstance and on every occasion, Dottie has been 
fair, honest and dedicated in her commitment to resolve whatever matter 
was at hand. In fact, long ago she earned my respect, trust and 
appreciation.
  I am particularly proud of several major projects that she 
successfully completed, including restoration of the Slave Quarters at 
Arlington House, improving the ramp from the 14th Street Bridge onto 
the northbound lanes of the parkway and honoring the World War II 
veterans who finally received their long overdue recognition for their 
intelligence work at the secret interrogation facility known as ``P.O. 
Box 1142,'' today known as Fort Hunt.
  I wish her the best in her future pursuits. Dottie can take pride in 
knowing her skillful management will ensure that of many of our 
Nation's treasured historic, cultural and natural resources will endure 
long after we are all gone.
  Dottie, congratulations on a job well done, and thank you for your 
exceptional service.

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