[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF PAULETTE BROOKS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 2014

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Paulette Brooks, of 
Holden, Massachusetts, who passed away suddenly on July 24th, and to 
offer my sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. Ms. 
Brooks was a devoted civil servant at the Department of Homeland 
Security Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. 
Her untimely death leaves a great loss in the Department and in the 
world of immigration expertise. Her legacy is one of tireless, 
innovative and distinctive service to thousands of American citizens, 
their families and immigrants that include the most vulnerable among 
us.
  Ms. Brooks completed law school after raising a family while a widow. 
She then offered pro bono legal services in her community and rose to 
serve the CIS Ombudsman with distinction in customer service excellence 
and legal acumen. She served as an expert in Child Status Protection 
Act matters, Violence Against Women Act protection cases and in 
assisting members of the military with immigration or naturalization 
matters impacting the soldier or his or her family. Ms. Brooks also 
wrote definitive recommendations for the Department that will serve a 
wide range of stakeholders for years to come.
  On volunteer time, she led federal workplace charitable initiatives 
such as Feds Feed Families and the Combined Federal Campaign. She 
garnered the President's Award for exceeding Departmental fundraising 
goals with her infectious enthusiasm and innovation in inspiring others 
to participate in and enjoy giving. In addition, she served numerous 
charities in the New England region. Her colleagues at DHS will 
remember her love of service and learning; her passion for public 
service; and her integrity, good humor, justice, common sense, 
transparency and excellence in all she did.
  I know my colleagues in the House join me in celebrating the life of 
Paulette Brooks and offering our deepest sympathies to those who knew 
and loved her.

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