[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 219 (Monday, December 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO THOMAS O'BRIEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 20, 2021

  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas O'Brien, an 
accomplished professional staff member of the House Appropriations 
Committee, who is retiring after more than 31 years of service in the 
Federal Government.
  Tom began his career at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 
1990. In 2004, during his tenure with the U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, Tom was detailed to the House Appropriations 
Subcommittee on Agriculture, where he assisted with the fiscal year 
2005 and fiscal year 2006 appropriations bills.
  Following his detail, Tom became the Deputy Chief Financial Officer 
for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection 
Service and would soon become the Chief Financial Officer. In his role, 
Tom was responsible for managing fiscal policies and practices for over 
10,000 employees and $1 billion.
  Then, at the start of the 112th Congress, Tom rejoined the House 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture as professional staff, where 
he utilized his more than 20 years of Executive Branch experience. In 
2014, Tom became Clerk for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on 
Agriculture. In this role, Tom was responsible for a portfolio 
exceeding $23 billion.
  Tom was an outstanding member of the Appropriations Committee staff 
for more than ten years, and he served on my staff for three of those 
years. Tom was tasked with working on some of the most complex issues 
in the agriculture sphere, and he performed exceptionally.
  Tom dedicated much of his life to public service, and I know he is 
looking forward to spending more time with his wife and three 
daughters. Tom will be dearly missed by his colleagues--I wish him the 
very best in his next chapter and thank him for his devoted service to 
the United States.

                          ____________________