[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E603-E604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING RAFAEL CHRISTOPHER TURNER FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF PUBLIC 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join 
me in honoring my Deputy District Director, Rafael Christopher Turner, 
for his 10 years of exemplary and dedicated service on behalf of my 
constituents in Michigan. Rafael is leaving this month to continue 
working on behalf of Michigan residents for U.S. Senator Carl Levin and 
it is fitting that we celebrate and recognize his continued service to 
the public.
  I had the opportunity to recruit Rafael for an internship in my 
Washington, DC office in February 2002 and was immediately impressed 
with his commitment to public service and extraordinary talent and 
skills. I have known Rafael's family for years and Rafael was 
continuing their legacy of making a difference in people's lives as a 
public servant, community leader and a trusted and valued advisor to me 
and many others, especially our youth.
  After accepting a full-time position as a legislative assistant in 
May 2002, Rafael worked on vitally important and complex public policy 
issues, applying his knowledge and dedication to a wide range of 
legislation important to my constituents. Rafael was eager to return to 
his hometown of Flint to make a difference in his community and in 
September 2005 he joined

[[Page E604]]

my District Office staff where he rose to become Deputy District 
Director. Rafael has used his vast experience and extraordinary skills 
to help make the federal government work for the people in my 
congressional district. Whether the issue is veterans' benefits, Social 
Security, education, consumer protection, health care or myriad other 
federal concerns and responsibilities, Rafael has devoted himself to 
promoting, protecting and defending human dignity.
  Rafael also serves his community on the Mott Community College Board 
of Trustees, as an executive board member of the Flint Branch of the 
NAACP and he was awarded the Distinguished Emerging Alumni honor at the 
University of Michigan-Flint where he earned a Masters of Public 
Administration. He was also selected to participate in the prestigious 
Rotary International Group Study Exchange Program and traveled to 
Brazil to advance the Rotary's mission.
  Mr. Speaker please join me in honoring Rafael Christopher Turner, a 
dear friend and accomplished public servant as he moves on to continue 
making a difference in people's lives.

                          ____________________