[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING KELLY CRAVEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PAUL D. RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, it was thanks to an incredible 
stoke of good luck that, when I became speaker, I inherited an 
exceptionally talented director of House operations: the one and only 
Kelly Craven. I don't know what I would have done without her. First of 
all, she knows every nook and cranny of the building, which came in 
handy when she oversaw the first renovation of the Capitol dome in over 
50 years. But more important than that, she seems to know every single 
person who works here. From working closely with House officers to 
helping up-and-coming staffers find the right job, she treats everyone 
with the same kindhearted respect--and she has a tireless work ethic to 
boot.
  But it shouldn't have been a surprise. Kelly has worked long and hard 
at building up this institution into the House we know and love. She 
started as a chief of staff to Rep. Steve Buyer and later served as 
deputy staff director of the House Veterans Affairs committee. She then 
became assistant director of the House Office of Interparliamentary 
Affairs and after that, staff director of the House Administration 
Committee. She rose through the ranks and it's not hard to see why. 
Kelly is simply first-rate. I know she also once served as a deputy 
assistant secretary of the Air Force--which is in and of itself an 
impressive achievement. But thanks to her many years of dedication to 
the House of Representatives, we're claiming her as the legislative 
branch's own. You might say we consider her congressional timber.
  It is hard to say goodbye to such a wonderful member of our team, but 
all of us know Kelly will continue her legacy of public service in the 
next chapter of her life. We wish her all the best, and on behalf of 
the members and staff, we extend our many heartfelt thanks to the great 
Kelly Craven.

                          ____________________