[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E28]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. ERICA SARGENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 5, 2017

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Mrs. Erica Sargent 
for her service to my office and the people of California's 21st 
Congressional District.
  Mrs. Sargent was born on May 30, 1990 in Los Banos, California, where 
she grew up on her family's dairy farm with her parents, Joey and 
Charlotte Mello, her sister Trisha, and her brother Michael. As a 
child, Erica took part in Future Farmers of America, where she showed 
dairy cows, Holsteins, Jerseys, and swine.
  After graduating from Los Banos High School, Mrs. Sargent went on to 
receive her Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Business at California 
State University, Fresno in 2013. While in college, Erica was a member 
of Delta Gamma Sorority and worked as a nanny part-time. On September 
3, 2016, Erica married her husband Brandon Sargent.
  Mrs. Sargent has held several positions with my office, in both 
Washington, D.C. and California over the past 4 years. She first joined 
my team as Staff Assistant in my Washington, D.C. office in July 2013. 
As Staff Assistant, she was instrumental in supporting others in daily 
tasks and helping the office run smoothly. In December 2013, she was 
promoted to Scheduler. Mrs. Sargent relocated from Washington, D.C. 
back to California's Central Valley, where she remained on my team as a 
Field Representative in Fresno County. Mrs. Sargent was known for her 
hard work and excellent community outreach. She was respected by her 
peers and was able to create and foster connections with constituents, 
business leaders, and public officials, all of which are integral 
skills of congressional staffers.
  Outside of work, Erica enjoys spending time with her family, 
especially her husband, sister, and niece, Sofia. She is currently 
pursuing a Master's Degree from National University and hopes to become 
a school counselor.
  Mrs. Sargent's time with my office will come to a close today, 
January 5, 2017, when she leaves to begin an internship in Laton, 
California, as a school counselor. Knowing Mrs. Sargent, her character, 
and her work ethic, I have no doubt that she will achieve many great 
things in her future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives 
to join me in commending Mrs. Erica Sargent for her public service to 
the people of the Central Valley and wishing her well as she embarks on 
the next chapter of her life.

                          ____________________