[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 3, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





          CELEBRATING THE SERVICE OF READING CLERK JOE NOVOTNY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2021

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding 
service of the Reading Clerk of the United States House of 
Representatives, Joe Novotny, as he prepares for his retirement. As 
Reading Clerk, Joe Novotny has served as the `Voice of the House,' and 
his trusted leadership and valued presence on the House Floor will be 
missed by Members and staff on both sides of the aisle.
  Joe Novotny has dedicated his entire career to the People's House. A 
Chicago native, Novotny came to Washington to serve as a Congressional 
page at age 16. After studying Political Communication at George 
Washington University, he returned to the House, where he worked as a 
staffer for the House Education and Labor Committee for fifteen years, 
rising to become Chief Clerk for this essential committee. His service 
was greatly respected by all, including by Education and Labor Chair 
George Miller, who lauded Novotny as `an incredibly valuable asset to 
my staff [whose] unparalleled integrity and dedication helped our 
committee advance major policies that are making a difference in the 
lives of working families.'
  In 2010, it was my great and proud honor as Speaker of the House to 
name Joe Novotny Reading Clerk: the first openly gay man to hold this 
important position. His historic service has made our Congress more 
inclusive, diverse and representative of the people whom we serve. As 
Novotny stated upon his appointment, `When you think about the 
diversity in this House now--and the fact that we have the first woman 
Speaker and we have the first African-American Clerk of the House--this 
is a Congress of firsts, so to be a part of that is a tremendous 
honor.' As the child of immigrants, Novotny's ascendance to service in 
the halls of the United States Capitol is, as he has proudly said, the 
story of the American Dream.
  As Reading Clerk, Novotny has been vital in engaging and connecting 
our country with their Democracy, as he ensures that legislative 
measures debated in the House are clearly articulated not only to 
Members of Congress but to the American people and to communities 
around the world. He has consistently brought his steady, calming 
presence and great professionalism and institutional expertise to the 
House Floor, and in doing so, has helped advance the ability of the 
People's House to do the people's work.
  His commitment to making the Congress more open, accessible and 
efficient has been particularly important to the functioning of the 
House and the health of our Democracy during the challenging time of 
the coronavirus pandemic, as our institution has adjusted to remote and 
virtual operations.
  While Joe Novotny's service will be missed, his great love for the 
House and his dedication to our Democracy stand as an inspiration for 
all who will follow in the path that he has blazed. On behalf of the 
United States House of Representatives, I thank Joe Novotny for his 
patriotic service, which has strengthened the Congress and Country.

                          ____________________