[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 166 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1986-E1987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING JAY PIERSON ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE HOUSE OF 
                            REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2012

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a long-time servant of 
the House of Representatives, Mr. Jay Pierson, who is retiring after 34 
years of advising Speakers, Leaders and Members of Congress.

[[Page E1987]]

  When the American public tunes into C-SPAN, the give and take of 
congressional debate might make about as much sense as the floor of the 
New York Stock Exchange just before the closing bell. Fortunately, the 
House has seasoned experts--truly dedicated public servants--who keep 
up with the details of floor deliberation and legislation so that 
Members of Congress are able to cast their votes without confusion.
  One of the people most responsible for ensuring that House 
Republicans are informed about important legislation is Speaker 
Boehner's Floor Assistant, Jay Pierson. Jay's role can perhaps be 
compared to that of an air traffic controller, closely monitoring the 
flow of floor debate and shepherding Members of Congress to their 
appropriate positions. While an air traffic controller may use a radar 
scope for guidance, Jay relies on his dog-eared copy of Jefferson's 
Manual of Rules and 34 years of experience.
  A graduate of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, and a recipient of a 
Master's Degree from Long Beach University and a Doctorate from the 
University of Maryland, Jay arrived in the halls of Congress about the 
same time as the C-SPAN cameras. Dr. Pierson's congressional career 
began in 1978 in the office of the General Clerk. He began working in 
the Republican Cloakroom in 1979 for the office of House Republican 
Leader John J. Rhodes, R-AZ.
  Over three decades he held positions of member of the House 
Republican Cloakroom, member of the Republican Floor Staff and Floor 
Assistant to the Speaker. He was Assistant Floor Manager for Speaker 
Gingrich, Floor Assistant for Speaker Dennis Hastert, and now Floor 
Assistant for Speaker John Boehner.
  For the past decade, Jay has been an invaluable resource to me during 
floor debate and votes and I will always value his counsel and 
friendship.
  Mr. Speaker, as Jay prepares to transition to retirement, I join with 
my colleagues here in the House in wishing him the very best. Jay's 
wisdom and expertise will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________