[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 180 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BONITA ``BONNIE'' SHEPHERD--AN 
  EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC SERVANT WHO SERVED THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF 
             REPRESENTATIVES WITH DISTINCTION FOR 48 YEARS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a Certificate of 
Congressional Recognition to Bonita ``Bonnie'' Shepherd on the occasion 
of 48 Years of public service at the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Bonita L. Shepherd, ``Bonnie'' commenced her career as a public 
servant on Capitol Hill on June 18, 1967 and met everyone who crossed 
her path with her signature ``Good Morning. How are you?''
  Bonnie worked for the U.S. House of Representatives, with a starting 
per hour salary of $1.51, providing service to Members of Congress, 
staff, citizens and visitors who traversed our nation's Rayburn 
Cafeteria.
  On January 28, 1988, having served 21 years in the House, Bonnie 
continued her public service for another 27 years in the House of 
Representatives with the Architect of the U.S. Capitol as an Elevator 
Operator, playing an instrumental role in facilitating the safe and 
flawless movement of Members as they worked to make and pass federal 
laws affecting our nation.
  Every year for 48 years, Bonnie served 435 Members who served the 50 
states of our nation, serving the interest of the United States' 
population when the House was in session.
  When the House was out of session, Bonnie also served at the House 
Flag office where on average more than 100,000 American flags fly over 
the U.S. Capitol every year, commemorating birthdays, retirements, 
anniversaries and other special occasions of everyday heroic Americans.
  For almost half a century Bonnie has served our nation through wars, 
recessions, seminal national occurrences and celebrations.
  On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the constituents 
of the Eighteenth Congressional District of Texas, I take great pride 
in congratulating Bonita L. Shepherd, ``Bonnie'' for her work as an 
American public servant and keeping a smile on her face while serving 
Members working to serve the interests of the United States.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Bonnie for her 
public service.

                          ____________________