[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  MARKING THE PASSING OF THOMAS DUNCAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2019

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the life of 
a dedicated former House employee, Thomas G. Duncan, who passed away on 
January 16, 2019 in Fairfax, Virginia.
  Tom was born June 10, 1952, in Long Beach, California, to Thomas Owen 
Duncan and Keith Anne Gamble Duncan and grew up in Dallas, Texas and 
Birmingham, Michigan. He graduated from the College of William and Mary 
in 1974 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1978. Following 
his graduation from law school, Tom began a distinguished thirty-year 
career in public service in the House of Representatives. He began his 
work in the House in 1979 as an Assistant Parliamentarian and rose to 
serve as a Deputy Parliamentarian for ten years. He went on to serve 
with distinction as a staff member on the House Committee on Financial 
Services, serving as general counsel to chairman from both parties, 
where he consistently demonstrated his deep commitment to upholding the 
integrity of our institution, and advancing progress for the American 
people.
  In his more than three decades of nonpartisan service to the House, 
Tom always brought the highest level of professionalism and dedication 
to the table. He earned the respect of Members and staff alike for his 
encyclopedic memory of facts and dates, and his great intellect and 
critical willingness to hear arguments from all sides. His unflappable 
demeanor delivered calm to many hard-fought battles waged by the 
House's most energetic and colorful Members.
  Tom's many friends will always remember his great love of sports, 
especially his fondness for the Tigers, the Wahoos and the Washington 
Nationals. One never wanted to be on the opposite side of a sports 
trivia contest with Tom, but all will remember him as a gentleman who 
allowed his opponents to lose with grace. Tom could reveal a 
mischievous streak when it was needed most by his colleagues, best and 
most memorably displayed in his creation of the Hershberger Award 
during his days at the College of William and Mary.
  Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Alison, his two 
daughters, Katharine Duncan (Brent DePuy) and Taylor Duncan, and his 
granddaughter, Elizabeth DePuy.
  The House is grateful for Tom's contributions over his thirty-year 
career in our institution. May it be a comfort to Tom's loved ones that 
so many grieve with and pray for them at this sad time.

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