[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1041-E1042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THANKING MR. KEVIN HARRIS FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2021

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, on his retirement in September 2021, I 
rise today to thank Kevin Harris for over 37 years of outstanding 
service to the House of Representatives as a distinguished wood 
finisher.
  Kevin Harris first came to the Capitol as a 15-year-old to work on 
the grounds crew with the Architect of the Capitol on the Senate side. 
He was lucky enough to have an aunt who worked for the then Congressman 
Walter E. Fauntroy, who later hired him on the House side. He started 
working with the House restaurant system in 1984, which was eventually 
contracted out. He was able to secure a position with the Chief 
Administrative Officer (CAO) Labor Room, now known as CAO, Office of 
Logistics & Support. Kevin worked for the logistics department for 
three years, where he remembers being mentored by Bobby Small, Lew 
Maiden and Steve Janifer, who showed him the ropes.
  Later, it was determined that since he had gone to trade school, 
Kevin would be a good addition to the finishing shop and he made the 
move when a position opened. Back then, the finishing shop not only 
finished the furniture but also moved the furniture between offices. 
Some of his most memorable bosses were Mr. Kelleher, who hired him into 
the shop, Walter ``Teenie'' Woodburn and Robert Lee.
  One his most memorable pieces was a special gold leafing project he 
completed with the staff on a bookcase for Representative William Clay. 
He had learned this technique through special training on this 
intricate skill. Kevin recalls a table he finished for Speaker Tip 
O'Neill, a very special stripping technique using the ``old style'' to 
strip down the finish. The Speaker was most appreciative. Kevin was 
also among the staff who refurbished the entire House floor, stripping 
the chairs and seats in the House Chamber, caked with shellac from 
years of usage.
  In his long career in the halls of Congress, Kevin has personally met 
five Speakers of the House--Speaker Tom Foley, Speaker John Boehner, 
Speaker Tip O'Neill, Speaker Jim Wright, and Speaker Paul Ryan. Kevin 
has also reflected on the many lifelong friendships he has made in his 
office, including Timothy ``Tim'' Magruder and Vincent Plowden, who all 
motivated each other on the job. He has also made special mention of 
his favorite and current manager, John Garcia, who came into the shop 
and really heard their concerns, made the necessary changes and 
motivated the crew. He felt that Mr. Garcia really cared

[[Page E1042]]

about their conditions. Because of the encouragement of Mr. Garcia, he 
had a newfound desire to perform his job at a new level and credits Mr. 
Garcia for the changes in the finishing shop.
  Kevin felt lucky to be able to attend the first Inauguration of 
President Barack Obama, an opportunity afforded him since the finishing 
shop worked behind the scenes on the stage preparation.
  Another fond memory occurred in 2004 when an unexpected celebrity 
made an appearance on Capitol Hill--musical superstar Michael Jackson. 
He had been summoned to a hearing to call attention to the AIDS crisis. 
As he tells it, Kevin and some of his coworkers were standing outside 
near the Rayburn Building in anticipation of his arrival. They had 
almost given up when they saw his motorcade pull up right beside the 
wall near Rayburn. Michael Jackson got out of the car and walked 
directly toward Kevin, Tim Magruder and others, wearing his iconic 
glitter gloves and boots. Kevin was starstruck and barely able to 
speak, but Michael Jackson engaged them briefly, shook hands and then 
he was off. Coworkers later teased Kevin about being so moved in that 
moment.
  Kevin has witnessed many different events in his 37-year career. With 
a heavy heart, he remembers being present on 9/11. He will never forget 
being outside and seeing the smoke from afar, which was the moment the 
Pentagon had been hit by a plane. But like others, he did not know the 
implication at the time of this terrorist attack and how it changed our 
lives forever. He was also present during the anthrax attack, when he 
and his crew were called in to clean all the furniture that was exposed 
to the anthrax.
  Kevin was working when the earthquake hit Capitol Hill in 2011. He 
was in the office when the buildings, doors and floors started to sway. 
After the buildings were evacuated, he had to shelter on the comer for 
several hours until the building inspections were concluded. He was 
present when two Capitol Hill police officers were. And most recently, 
he was at work during the insurrection on January 6, 2021. So many 
memories, both good and bad, because of his long career with Congress.
  In retirement, he plans to pursue some of his hobbies, like boxing on 
a punching bag, traveling abroad, catching up on movies, a particular 
interest, and volunteering with the homeless community. He will 
continue to attend the church in Baltimore where his cousin is the 
pastor, which he has attended since childhood. Kevin is looking forward 
to spending more time with his wife and daughter and including them in 
his retirement activities.
  On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to 
Kevin Harris for his dedication and outstanding contributions to the 
House of Representatives. We wish him many wonderful years in 
fulfilling his retirement dreams.

                          ____________________