[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 65 (Thursday, April 15, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1832-H1833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOE NOVOTNY

  (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. 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.
  Mr. Speaker, as Reading Clerk, Joe Novotny has served as the voice of 
the House, and his trusted leadership and valued presence on this 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. 
First serving as a congressional page at age 16, Joe returned to the 
House after college, where he worked for the House Education and Labor 
Committee for 15 years, rising to become chief clerk.
  His service was respected by all, including my friend, Chairman 
George Miller, who lauded Joe 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.''
  Mr. Speaker, I just learned from our colleague  Dan Kildee that his 
uncle, Dale Kildee, a leading member of the Education and Labor 
Committee, was also a good friend and benefited from

[[Page H1833]]

the service and leadership of Joe Novotny.
  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 
position. I am proud of that.
  His historic service has made our Congress more inclusive, diverse, 
and representative of the people we serve.
  As the child of immigrants, Novotny's ascendance in the halls of the 
U.S. Capitol is, as he has proudly said, the story of the American 
Dream.
  As Reading Clerk, Novotny has been vital in engaging the people of 
our country with their democracy. Each day, he ensures that measures 
debated in this House are clearly articulated not only to Members but 
to the American people and to people around the world.
  His commitment to making Congress more accessible and efficient has 
been particularly important during this time of pandemic, as our 
institution has adjusted to remote and virtual operations.
  Since day one, Joe has brought his steady presence, professionalism, 
and institutional expertise to the House floor. In doing so, he has 
helped advance the ability of the people's House to do the people's 
work.
  I am taking this additional time, Mr. Speaker, because so many 
Members have told me what Joe means to them, and I wanted to express 
some of that in my remarks.
  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 wish him 
the best in the next stages of his journey, and I thank Joe for his 
patriotic service.
  Thank you, Joe Novotny.

                          ____________________