[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H480-H481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1340
HONORING JOHN LAWRENCE
(Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise with great pride to pay tribute to
a very distinguished American and a longtime member of the
congressional staff, John Lawrence. In fact, he has served the Congress
for 38 years as a member of the staff--30 years of it for George Miller
and 8 years as my assistant in the leadership office. I'm happy to pay
tribute to him.
I'm sad because John will be--and I don't know if the word is
retiring--but he will be leaving service in the Capitol. He has always
been a great proponent of science, technology, and innovation. As he
concludes his service to the House, it is only fitting to cite the
words of Alfred Lord Tennyson as inscribed on the walls of the House
Science and Technology Committee:
For I dipped into the future, far as human eye can see, saw
the vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be.
Over his nearly four decades serving the Congress, John has always
kept his sights and his vision firmly on the future. He believed and he
knew that the future is about investing in our children, supporting
working families, and strengthening the middle class. He knew that the
future is about protecting our environment and preserving our planet
for generations to come.
John knew that the future of the House is strengthened by fellow
staff members working in a bipartisan way. John has always respected
the role played by our staffs on the Education Committee, the Natural
Resources Committee, the offices of the Democratic leader, and as my
role of Speaker of the House and as our distinguished Speaker's role as
Speaker today. Indeed, the staff looked to him for leadership, just as
Members looked to him for guidance.
In that spirit, this afternoon, my colleagues, the Speaker will honor
John Lawrence with the John W. McCormick Award of Excellence on which,
as declared by former majority leader, then-Majority Leader Carl Albert
in 1970:
The name of the House employee, who performs the most
valuable service for the House, will be inscribed.
What a fitting tribute to John Lawrence's 38 years of valuable
service, extraordinary leadership, and dedication to the future. We've
had the privilege of honoring in a bipartisan way other members of the
staff in the Congress, and John's name will bring luster to that list.
Colleagues, please join me in thanking a dear friend, my former chief
of staff, John Lawrence.
I yield to the Speaker of the House, Mr. Boehner.
Mr. BOEHNER. This is a day of mixed emotions for the House. John
Lawrence's retirement means that we're losing a faithful public
servant, one of our own. But we can all agree that John deserves some
time off after 38 years of working here in the House. And for those of
you who may not know John, he is currently the longest-serving staffer
in the House.
John and I have known each other for a long time, going back to my
days as chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee. I can
safely say that it really didn't matter whether we were on the same
side of the page or whether we had opposing views--he always handled it
in the same way, with class and integrity. He's a real stand-up guy.
That didn't just make John an asset to George Miller or Leader Pelosi.
It made him a great asset, I think, for the House as a whole and to the
American people.
So I know all of my colleagues and I want to say to John, thank you
for all of your service to this House. We're sorry to see you go, but
we want to wish you and your family the best in the future.
Congratulations.
[[Page H481]]
Ms. PELOSI. With the Speaker's permission, I acknowledge Elijah
Lawrence, the teenage son of John and Deborah Lawrence, who's with us
in the Chamber.
I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________