[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 26, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E846-E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PATRICIA D. EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 2019

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to someone 
who has made a significant impact here in this proud institution for 
the past four decades. For the past twelve years, my office and I have 
been extremely fortunate to have Patricia ``Tricia'' Evans on our 
staff.
  Tricia is from Westchester, New York, and to say she is a proud New 
Yorker is putting it mildly. She's also an Irish Catholic through and 
through--all the way down to being a devout meat and potatoes eater--
except, of

[[Page E847]]

course, on Fridays during Lent. After graduating from Iona College, 
Tricia taught first grade at Good Shepherd School for a few years 
before shifting to politics. In the summer of 1979, Tricia launched her 
career on Capitol Hill as a staff assistant for conservative stalwart 
and fellow New Yorker Jack Kemp. Prior to joining my office, Tricia 
served a number of House Members, including dedicated tenures serving 
my former California colleague Elton Gallegly and Arizonan J.D. 
Hayworth.
  In 2007, I was incredibly fortunate to have a seasoned staff member 
like Tricia join my office. When she first came on board, Tricia wasn't 
exactly a big fan of flying, especially cross county to our district in 
California. But after we introduced her to In-N-Out Burger she became 
more open to flying out West--it's amazing how a Double-Double can ease 
anxieties. We never quite converted her from a New Yorker to a 
Californian, but I'd like to think she will always carry within her a 
little piece of the Golden State.
  As Tricia winds up her time in my office to take on a new 
opportunity, it's impossible to sum up her immense contributions. Of 
all my constituents whom she has helped, I think that the folks from 
the Monday Morning Group will miss her the most. I know Tricia 
rightfully takes great pride in her efforts to secure passage of the 9/
11 Memorial Act into law. She was deeply and personally touched by the 
9/ 11 attack as a native New Yorker and by the loss of her friend, Navy 
Captain Bob Dolan, who was killed at the Pentagon on that tragic day. 
Tricia took the ''Never Forget'' refrain and put it into action to 
honor her friend Bob and all who perished. Tricia has also been 
involved in helping the Capitol Concerts that take place on the Hill 
every year on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. All Americans who 
enjoy these patriotic events can thank Tricia for working overtime to 
ensure their success.
  Tricia loves her country and everything Disney. There is also no 
bigger fan of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Selleck or Joe Namath. But nothing 
in her life comes close to her love for her two children: Shannon and 
Patrick. They are an incredibly close and loving family, which can be 
attested to by me and my Chief of Staff who can't help but overhear 
regular calls from each of the kids that always end with, ``I love 
you.'' I won't say that these calls happen too frequently, but I have 
developed a nervous tick whenever I hear her cell phone ring tone. 
Seriously though, Tricia's love for and dedication to her children are 
a testament to her fine character. I will deeply miss her and her 
selflessness, loyalty and impassioned devotion to supporting me and my 
office. I look forward to my continued friendship with Tricia and wish 
her, Shannon, and Patrick, the very best in all their future endeavors. 
Godspeed.

                          ____________________