[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RAMONA LESSEN

  Mr. CORKER. Madam President, I came to the U.S. Senate in 2006, and I 
was the only new Republican elected to the Senate that year. Many 
people considered that a great accomplishment. But my greatest 
accomplishment of 2006 was convincing Ramona Lessen--who is sitting 
with us today--to put off retirement for a few more years and stay on 
as my scheduler and executive assistant. And after 6 years in 
Washington, I know without a doubt that the biggest success of my first 
term is that Ramona did not fire me--until now.
  Ramona is retiring this week after 34 years. I am told that she 
violated child labor laws by starting work when she was 5 years old.
  Ramona came to the Senate in 1979 to work for Senator Larry Pressler 
from her native South Dakota. She worked for Senator Pressler for 16 
years, plus 2 more when he was in the House.
  When Ramona began working in the Senate in 1979, Jimmy Carter was 
President, Robert Byrd was the majority leader, and Howard Baker was 
the Republican leader. And probably most relevant to Ramona, ESPN 
started broadcasting, Post-It notes were invented, and one of the most 
popular songs was Gloria Gaynor's ``I Will Survive.'' She has not only 
survived but thrived in the U.S. Senate for more than three decades.
  In 1994, she took another new Tennessee Senator named Bill Frist 
under her wing. She worked for Senator Frist for 12 years. And then, in 
2006, I convinced her to work in our office for just 1 year. That year 
has turned into 6.
  In that time, Ramona has learned a lot about me, but I have learned a 
whole lot about her. I have learned that Ramona loves music. In fact, 
her first job was as a high school band director. She is a great piano 
player. She has played the piano in my home and at staff gatherings. 
She plays for her church. Ramona loves country music, and I think that 
is a big reason she has adopted Tennessee as her second home State.
  I have learned that it is not too hard to know where you stand with 
Ramona. Occasionally, I will make a request or a suggestion, and Ramona 
responds with a certain expression--it is a polite term for a look of 
disapproval. I know exactly where I stand and sometimes--candidly, 
often--I recalibrate my position or request.
  I have learned that Ramona is a huge sports fan. If the Masters or 
the U.S. Open is on, I am not going to interrupt her. She also loves 
football, and that is appropriate because I have also learned that she 
is a master of the audible.
  In 2008, I was heavily involved in an effort to bring Volkswagen's 
U.S. production facility to Chattanooga. Just before one of the final 
meetings in Tennessee, a plane full of decisionmakers was stuck on the 
tarmac in Germany without clearance to land in the United States--some 
kind of paperwork issue. Anybody who has been involved in a major 
recruitment effort knows that in something like this, even a small 
glitch can be a major setback. The Volkswagen folks called me. I talked 
with Ramona. I am not entirely sure what she did, but I know it was all 
totally legal and aboveboard. At one point, she was sitting there 
jockeying several phone calls on the switchboard and literally 
talking the plane off the runway in Germany. What I do know for sure is 
that the Volkswagen executives landed in the United States highly 
impressed with Ramona Lessen. And shortly thereafter they chose 
Chattanooga for their U.S. production facility.

  That was a home run, no doubt. But I think Ramona's greatest 
contribution is her ability to make a staff a family and an office a 
home. Ramona makes sure we are celebrating each other--babies being 
born, people getting married, and life in general. At Christmastime, 
she makes sure the office is decorated and filled with Christmas music. 
Her favorite moments in the office are when someone brings in a baby or 
a child. That child learns quickly, as we all do, that Ramona keeps a 
basket of candy on her desk. And there is a good chance that child's 
picture is on Ramona's cherished bulletin board. Her loud, infectious 
laugh is a staple at staff gatherings. It will be sorely missed.
  There is a memorable scene in the movie ``The Queen'' where Queen 
Elizabeth tells Prime Minister Tony Blair: ``You are my tenth Prime 
Minister, Mr. Blair.'' I am proud to have been Ramona Lessen's third 
Senator. Senators come and go, but for 34 years Ramona Lessen has been 
a constant in the Senate. The Senate is better for it. Our country and 
Tennessee are better for it. I know Senator Pressler and Senator Frist 
are better for it. Our staffs are better for it. And I am better for 
it.
  Ramona, I thank you for taking pity on a new Senator and for showing 
me the ropes over the past 6 years. I thank you for your friendship. I 
wish you and Joe the very best in the years to come. I know when the 
time comes, Tennessee, your second home State, will welcome you to 
retirement with open arms.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call 
be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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