[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO REGGIE GREENE

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 20, 2017

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of 
Reginald Greene, a longtime and outstanding staffer for the Committee 
on Ways and Means, who passed away on December 11, 2017.
  Known around the halls of the Ways and Means Committee as simply 
``Reggie,'' for four decades he held job titles ranging from staff 
assistant to documents clerk. But around the committee he was really 
Mr. Everything. He could make out-of-print documents appear out of thin 
air, and whether it was manning the doors, handling special requests, 
or enforcing committee procedures, you name it, Reggie did it.
  No one was fiercer than Reggie in protecting our committee and making 
sure that everyone respected its rules and procedures. Reggie never 
condoned sloppiness and always frowned on carelessness. He could be 
stern with staff--and more than a few Members--if they strayed from the 
rules. And he could silence disorderly conduct in our hearing room with 
a single look. So much so that you might think that the Ways and Means 
hearing room was really Reggie's hearing room--and you would be right. 
There he was both respected and feared by staff, lobbyists, and even 
Members when they entered his domain. Any photographer who stayed too 
long, or Member or staffer who dared to cross the dais without proper 
attire, or drink from a can of soda with the logo visible to the 
cameras--a little-known violation of our committee's rules--would soon 
hear about it.
  But underneath his outer tough-guy demeanor, Reggie was also a 
friendly and warm soul with a generous laugh. He would always encourage 
children visiting the committee hearing room to sit in the chairman's 
chair for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. Reggie had so many 
friends on the Hill, and he created a network of relationships to get 
our work done. He always had a kind word or joke at the ready when you 
needed it. His humor was dry, and legendary. If you asked him if he 
needed anything, he would say ``a million bucks and a hot tub for my 
office.'' At times like this, if you asked him when he thought Congress 
would complete its work for the year, he would say ``not soon enough.''
  More than anything, Reggie's career celebrated his deep love for the 
Ways and Means Committee, its traditions, and its enormous 
responsibilities to the American people. That is a love he surely 
inherited from his father, who preceded him on the committee staff. And 
like the proud grandfather he was at home, Reggie also prided himself 
on helping raise the next generation of staffers to share in and carry 
on his profound respect for the committee. Whether through a gentle tug 
on the elbow or a low whisper, young staffers might get that day's 
lesson in committee decorum, history, or tradition.
  On behalf of the entire Committee on Ways and Means, I offer our 
sincerest condolences to the Greene family on Reggie's passing. And I 
thank them for sharing Reggie with us for so many years of outstanding 
service to the committee, its Members, and our great country.

                          ____________________