[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 46 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SYLVIA S. BANKS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2019

  Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor a friend, a 
colleague, a confidant, and a great Delawarean on the occasion of her 
semi-retirement. Sylvia Banks has served as my State Director since I 
was first sworn in as Delaware's member of Congress. While new members 
have a host of difficult decisions to make when assuming office, naming 
Sylvia as the leader of my team was by far my easiest. From her 
extensive experience as the Manager of Corporate Contributions Program 
at the DuPont Company, to her work as a founding trustee of the 
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Sylvia's resume even before this 
job was long and impressive. It's why I had to convince Sylvia to end 
her much-deserved retirement early to come and join my team. But it 
wasn't just her experience that made Sylvia a must-have. Her wise 
counsel had served me well personally for years and anyone who has 
spent any amount of time with her can testify to her calming, assured 
presence and her incredibly sharp sense of humor.
   Luckily for me, and for my whole team, Sylvia's sense of public 
service won the day, and we made a deal that she would serve as State 
Director for 1 year. Well, Madam Speaker, 2 years and some months 
later, I'm happy to say that I got the better end of that bargain. 
Sylvia is now trying retirement again after failing the first time. 
Lucky for all of us, I managed to strike another deal with Sylvia. She 
will be staying on the team part-time as a Senior Advisor, meaning for 
all of us, her wise counsel will never be more than a phone call away. 
For her end of the deal, Sylvia will now have more time for her most 
important job; mother, grandmother, and golfer.
   Sylvia Banks has left a lasting mark on my office and our State of 
Delaware, setting a very high bar, both professionally and personally 
for which we can all strive. I am eternally grateful for her work.

                          ____________________