[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 214 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING CHRIS DONESA, COUNSEL TO THE RULEMAKING MEMBER FOR THE HOUSE 
                            ETHICS COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 17, 2020

  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
long-standing Capitol Hill veteran, Chris Donesa. For this Congress, I 
have had the honor of serving as Ranking Member for the House Ethics 
Committee, and would like to honor someone who played a critical and 
important role in supporting me.
  For the past two years Chris has served as Counsel to the Ranking 
Member for the House Ethics Committee. This is an extraordinary 
assignment to accept, and Chris has conducted himself with the highest 
levels of professionalism and legal scholarly advice. He has been 
integral and pivotal in assisting my fellow Republican Members of the 
Ethics Committee and me this Congress.
  A native of Indiana, Chris has a deep commitment to public service 
that has continued throughout more than three decades of service in the 
House of Representatives. A Congressional jack of all trades, 
immediately prior to his service with the Ethics Committee, Chris 
served as Legal Counsel to the Clerk of the House. I am most fortunate 
that Chris brought his vast experiences and great wisdom to help my 
fellow Members of the Ethics Committee and me during this Congress.
  The House Ethics Committee is unique amongst the committees in this 
chamber, as it is evenly split between the Majority and Minority 
parties. The committee fulfils many key roles for the House community 
in providing advice, education, and training to help ensure proper 
compliance. Perhaps the most difficult assignment for the Ethics 
Committee is to stand in judgment of Members and staffers when they are 
accused of potential wrongdoing. It takes a very special staffer to 
serve in this role--someone of the highest integrity and character, 
coupled with the desire to serve in a position that is often met with 
unique challenges and high stress. I could not ask for a better person 
than Chris to fulfill this essential role for me and the greater House 
community.
  Chris has earned himself a well-deserved retirement at the conclusion 
of this Congress. However, knowing Chris, I know he won't sit still for 
long and I wish him all the very best for his continued service and new 
endeavors. I ask for all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Chris 
Donesa for his service to the House Ethics Committee.

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