[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF LARRY LAVENDAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2012

  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress are only as effective as 
the loyal staff members who serve them. Our staff professionals are 
public servants every bit as much as those of us who have been elected. 
Motivated to work for the common good, they perform their jobs without 
fanfare and frequently stay on the job late nights and weekends to help 
develop solutions to the challenges facing our people and country. This 
House could not function without these highly talented and dedicated 
individuals, and it has been my privilege to have had one of the best 
at my side in Larry Lavender. As he departs from my office after many 
years of loyal service, I want to publicly recognize and thank Larry 
for his wise counsel, frank advice, and friendship. When Larry agreed 
to be my Chief of Staff when I was first elected to the House, he 
brought experience as a businessman and top administrator in the city 
government of my native Birmingham, Alabama. He shared my ethic that 
the purpose of our office was to provide the people of Alabama with the 
highest level of representation. From the start, Larry demonstrated a 
unique talent to assemble the best staff team to achieve goals. When I 
was selected to serve as Ranking Member and then Chairman of the House 
Financial Services Committee, there would be no one better suited to 
serve as my staff director. Larry's policy, management, and leadership 
skills helped us to navigate the challenges of the deepest financial 
crisis to occur in the United States since the Great Depression. During 
those historic times, his sole intent was to work to find the right 
answers to solve the unprecedented issues facing our financial sector 
and nation. Under highly uncertain and stressful conditions, he 
consistently supplied wise and reasoned counsel. Everyone who has met 
Larry has been impressed by management ability, policy and political 
acumen, strong belief in principle, and above all his modesty and 
integrity. Just as important to Larry, he is a devoted husband, father, 
and Marine. His children Rachel and Jacob are rightfully proud of him, 
and we know that his lovely wife Kathryn and young son Harrison Clay 
have brought a special new joy to his life at home. For being a trusted 
and valued adviser to both experienced and new House Members, a mentor 
to countless staffers, and a loyal friend to me, it is with 
appreciation and gratitude that I take this opportunity to permanently 
commemorate Larry Lavender's service to the people of Alabama and 
America.

                          ____________________