[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.

                          ____________________