[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E22]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING GWEN BENSON-WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 7, 2015

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in recognizing 
Gwen Benson-Walker, who has served as my Chief of Staff for three years 
and has been a valuable member of my staff for most of my service in 
Congress. On December 31, 2014, Gwen transitioned from my office to a 
well-deserved retirement. Gwen's strong work ethic, intelligence, and 
enthusiastic personality will surely be missed by her colleagues in the 
House, the residents of the District of Columbia, and especially my 
office.
  Gwen was not born into the advantages offered to many in our society. 
Instead, she has always worked her way to success. Aside from her work 
in my office, Gwen has owned and operated several business ventures. 
She is a highly-regarded public speaker and a published author.
  Gwen Benson-Walker performed with excellence and energy whatever work 
she was asked to do in my office. She served as a caseworker, and her 
capacity for hard work and her wise head, led her to roles as 
scheduler/executive assistant and finally as chief of staff. Even when 
Gwen moved away from the District of Columbia, she has always returned 
to our staff upon her return. When not on staff, Gwen was the 
enthusiastic volunteer coordinator for the annual Children's Christmas 
Party in the Capitol, lavishing love on the city's low-income children. 
Most recently, Gwen served as my Chief of Staff, a position in which 
she flourished, skillfully organizing and running a busy congressional 
office.
  Gwen was a confidant to whom I turned to for advice and a friend and 
a mentor to staff. She led by example in her professionalism and 
insistence on excellence, her dedication, generosity, collegiality and 
good humor. Gwen is off to retirement in Spain, but she leaves too many 
family members and friends not to return often to her native land. Gwen 
now becomes a treasured life member of Team Norton.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Gwen Benson-Walker for 
outstanding service to the House of Representatives and my office, and 
to the residents of the District of Columbia.

                          ____________________