[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E113-E114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     APPLAUDING ERRICAL BRYANT FOR HER SERVICE TO ALABAMA'S FIRST 
                         CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2017

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my deepest appreciation 
for my Director of Operations, Errical Bryant, for her years of service 
to Alabama's First Congressional District. Today marks Errical's final 
day serving the people of Southwest Alabama.
   Like so many on Capitol Hill, Errical started out as an intern for 
Congressman Sonny Callahan in 2000. After working for a period of time 
as a door attendant in the U.S. Senate, Errical returned to serving the 
First District as Constituent Services Director for Congressman Jo 
Bonner. She later added the responsibilities of Administrative Director 
and Scheduler. Errical served in this position for over ten years, 
until Congressman Bonner retired from Congress in 2013.
   Mr. Speaker, I asked former Congressman Jo Bonner to share his 
appreciation for Errical. Congressman Bonner said, ``Simply put, 
Errical is a wonderful human being--one of the finest people I know--
and her many characteristics of honesty, hard work, dedication, and 
patriotic duty are the very qualities that will well serve America's 
next Attorney General. There are very few people in Alabama who have 
interacted with our office over the past 14 years who have not had the 
pleasure of working with Errical Bryant. In many ways, she has become 
the face of Alabama's First Congressional District in Washington and 
she has always made visitors feel extra special and at home, forever 
representing Congressman Byrne and me in the most professional manner 
humanly possible. While Errical's strengths are considerable, her 
talents are unlimited and her love of country is second to none.''
   When I was elected to Congress, one of the first pieces of advice I 
received from Congressman Bonner was to hire Errical. I distinctively 
remember my wife, Rebecca, and I meeting with her to discuss the 
position. During our meeting, Errical said ``If you do everything I 
tell you to do, then you will be a really good Congressman.'' Having 
worked with Errical over the last three years, I can say there was a 
lot of truth to that statement.
   As my Director of Operations, Errical handles everything from 
scheduling meetings to managing office finances to planning special 
events. She is a master of the little things and keeps the office 
running smoothly and effectively. Despite all the stress and pressure 
of a Congressional office, Errical keeps the train on the tracks and 
the schedule moving.
   She has also helped countless people from Southwest Alabama arrange 
successful visits to our nation's capital. Upon their arrival to 
Washington, she has been a welcoming face ensuring southern hospitality 
remains ever present in our office. In addition to planning everyday 
visits, she has overseen ticket distribution for multiple presidential 
inaugurations and major gatherings.
   Errical has arranged important visits to Southwest Alabama for other 
Members of Congress, cabinet officials, and foreign ambassadors. These 
visits were planned and executed perfectly, which helped leave a 
positive impression of our part of the country on both national and 
world leaders.
   As our internship program coordinator, Errical has also helped mold 
and shape the next generation of leaders. She has instilled 
professionalism and confidence in countless young professionals that 
will serve them well in whatever career path they take.
   In addition to all of her official duties and responsibilities, 
Errical has served as the office's unofficial party planner and 
executive chef. Displaying the same southern hospitality she shows to 
our constituents, Errical has organized countless celebrations for co-
workers,

[[Page E114]]

usually bringing in a classic ``Pouncey Family'' homemade cake or pie.
   I asked some of her current and former colleagues for one word that 
describes Errical, and I think these hit home: dedicated, steady, 
diligent, passionate, ethical, motivated, funny, sunny, meticulous, 
loyal, accommodating, conscientious, and tenacious.
   Mr. Speaker, Errical has been ``the face'' of Alabama's First 
Congressional District for much of the last fifteen years, and her 
service will be missed. As she moves on to begin a new role, I want to 
wish her and her husband, Thurston, all the best.
   So, on behalf of Alabama's First Congressional District, I want to 
thank Errical for her years of hard work, commitment, and service to 
Southwest Alabama.

                          ____________________