[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 91 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING BETSY A. CODY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2017

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, we rise to honor the long career of 
public service provided to the Congress of the United States by Betsy 
A. Cody of the Congressional Research Service.
   Mr. Speaker, there is no issue that Members of Congress disagree on 
more than western water policy. The very complicated details of western 
water policy have the ability to not only divide us by party, but they 
divide us by state and even by regions within a state.
   One of the few things that all Western Members do agree on is our 
deep gratitude for the invaluable expertise we have received from Ms. 
Cody over the past 30 years. We are happy that she is moving on to a 
much deserved retirement this month, but we will greatly miss the 
reservoir of knowledge that she has provided to our offices.
   Betsy's non-partisan research, analysis, and policy advice has been 
the foundation for the water debates and legislation that the Congress 
has produced over the past 30 years. Betsy's talent is that she is able 
to break down these very complex issues involving historic water 
rights, agriculture, endangered species, infrastructure, precipitation 
patterns, interstate disagreements, federal programs, and many more 
intricate subjects quickly and concisely. Betsy is famous for her 
western water briefings for new Members and staff, her ``In-Focus'' 
fact sheets that simplify complex pieces of legislation, and the 
hundreds of in-depth research memos and reports that she has produced 
over the years.
   Betsy's best trait, which is something she shares with her 
colleagues at the Congressional Research Service, is that her research 
and advice is not political or biased. Betsy is trusted by both sides 
of the aisle for being fair and impartial, which has been demonstrated 
in her five times testifying before committees in both houses.
   Mr. Speaker, Ms. Cody exemplifies what Adams, Jefferson, and later 
La Follette had envisioned when they created the Library of Congress 
and the Legislative Reference Service in order to provide Members with 
expert research and analysis to inform our legislative work. Betsy has 
been an invaluable resource to us, our staff, and those of numerous 
other Members. We will not only miss her knowledge, but we will also 
miss her kindness.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Mr. Calvert of California and myself, we 
ask our colleagues to join us in congratulating Betsy A. Cody on her 
retirement, and thanking her for her long career of public service to 
the Congress and to our country.

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