[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H22-H23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE EXEMPLARY CAREER OF TINA PANETTA

  (Mr. RASKIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exemplary 
career of a very special constituent of mine named Tina Panetta who 
lives in Silver Spring and has been a public servant here on Capitol 
Hill for many decades. She is popularly known as ``Mother on the 
Hill.''
  Born in the small town of Ovindoli, Italy, Ms. Panetta came to the 
U.S. in 1955 with her two sons and husband, Ettore, to seek a better 
life. Five years later, Tina became a citizen, and in January of 1961, 
she gave birth to her youngest child, Maria Teresa.
  In 1968, despite being unable to read, write, or speak English, she 
began serving as a waitress in the U.S. Senate cafeteria. Over the 
course of her decades-long career on Capitol Hill, Tina touched the 
lives of Senators, Representatives, Vice Presidents, Presidents, and 
their families.
  When Tina sprained her ankle, then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey 
accompanied her to the nursing bay. When Tina was bedridden, she 
received bouquets of flowers and get-well cards from many Senators and 
Representatives.
  Former Senator Paul Simon once said that Tina's story is ``the story 
of America.'' On her 90th birthday, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier said 
that she is ``an inspiration to the Nation.'' On her 93rd birthday, 
Senator Durbin wrote that the Senate has ``deep respect and admiration 
for her.''
  I am here today to remind my colleagues and my constituents of Tina's 
wonderful legacy here on Capitol Hill. At a time of polarization, 
Tina's story reminds us of our common bonds, both in Congress and in 
the country.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our sincere thanks to 
Tina for

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her many years of service to our country.

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