[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 87 (Friday, May 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING JOHN T. LEWIS ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 19, 2017

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John T. Lewis, the Director 
of Logistics and Support for the Chief Administrative Officer of the 
U.S. House of Representatives, on his upcoming retirement on June 2, 
2017.
  Beginning on June 1, 1978, John spent his entire thirty-nine year 
career with the U.S. House of Representatives and for over twenty years 
worked as an upholsterer. Starting as a laborer in the Clerk's office, 
John moved up the ranks to become a master upholsterer. One of his 
major accomplishments was learning how to upholster the special type of 
Turkish chairs used by Members of Congress. Many of these historic 
chairs remain in use by Members to this day.
  John was then asked to take on a managerial role, serving as the 
Supervisor of Workflow Management, which involved developing purchasing 
spreadsheets and building asset tracking systems. However, after a 
couple of years in that position, John returned to the trade he loved 
in serving as the manager of the Textiles Department. In that role, 
John supervised the day-to-day operations of several shops, including 
upholstery, cabinet, finishing, drapery, and carpets.
  Throughout his career, John oversaw several important projects 
including the redressing of the Lincoln catafalque, the replacement of 
the House Floor carpet, the re-upholstery of every seat on the House 
Floor and in the Gallery, the complete refinishing of the House Floor 
dais, the construction of the lecterns and stenographers' desk, and the 
total refurbishment of the Speaker's chair. John led or assisted in 
twenty Congressional transitions and ten Presidential inaugurations. 
Among his most significant contributions was nurturing the furnishings 
team and coaching its members to be some of the most talented craftsman 
on Capitol Hill.
  In his retirement, I hope John will enjoy time spent with his wife of 
thirty-seven years, Lisa, and his two daughters, Joanna Emily Caputi 
and Lauren Elisabeth Lewis, his parents, Bill and Anne Lewis, and other 
members of his extended family. On behalf of the entire House, I extend 
my congratulations and thanks to John T. Lewis for his many years of 
dedication and outstanding contributions to this institution. I wish 
him many wonderful years ahead.

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