[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E38]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING BARBARA A. BENNETT ON HER RETIREMENT FROM FEDERAL SERVICE 
                             AFTER 45 YEARS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 12, 2016

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a tireless civil 
servant and a true American patriot, Ms. Barbara A. Bennett of 
Virginia.
  Barbara retired on December 31, 2015, after 45 years of Federal 
service. Most recently, Barbara served as Director of the Office of 
Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development 
(USAID). Those of us who had the opportunity to work with her during 
her long career witnessed first-hand Barbara's vast knowledge of 
foreign affairs and international development, her understanding of the 
detailed legislative processes, her unparalleled passion for the 
institution of Congress, and her singular dedication to the mission of 
USAID in uplifting those around the world from extreme poverty.
  Arriving at USAID as a recent graduate of the College of Mary 
Washington in the fall of 1970, Barbara steadily rose through the ranks 
during her first 15 years at USAID while working on procurement, 
financial management, and management support in the Office of the 
Deputy Administrator.
  In 1985, Barbara came to Capitol Hill to work for my former colleague 
David Obey (D-WI) during his tenure as Chairman of the House 
Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations. In 
1988, Barbara returned to USAID and joined the Bureau for Legislative 
Affairs, where she served for 27 years prior to her retirement as 
Office Director.
  Barbara has left an indelible impression on both the programmatic and 
management realms of USAID as well as the broader foreign affairs 
interagency collaborative process. Barbara's hard work is evident in 
the Agency's adoption of innovative approaches to development 
financing, increased global health investments, efforts to combat 
international tuberculosis, implementation of the President's Malaria 
Initiative, and the establishment of an HIV/AIDS Working Capital Fund. 
These are just some of the higher-profile issues to which Ms. Bennett 
contributed considerable experience and expertise.
  Barbara's efforts have not only benefited recipients of USAID's 
investments abroad, but generations of our Nation's international 
development leaders have profited from her guidance and mentorship.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Barbara for her service 
as she pursues new opportunities in this new year.

                          ____________________