[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 193 (Tuesday, December 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1263-E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING STAFF ON THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2022

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of 
three long-time staffers, each of whom has served this body and the 
American people for more than two decades.
  All of us on this floor recognize the essential contribution staff 
make towards our individual and collective success--whether crafting 
policy, shepherding legislation, or serving our constituents. 
Knowledgeable, diligent, talented public servants are the glue of this 
institution, and those who dedicate their lives and careers towards 
this service deserve our special appreciation for sharing their wisdom 
and experience with the next generation of public professionals.
  The staff I hope to honor here today embody those ideals, working 
tirelessly and selflessly to support progress on issues that matter to 
the American people, serving as a model for our entire team and for 
this chamber. Though no speech could encapsulate the breadth of their 
dedicated service, I firmly believe they deserve to be recognized 
before the full House for their distinguished careers.
  David Watkins, the Staff Director for the House Committee on Natural 
Resources, began his career on Capitol Hill more than two decades ago, 
first joining the office of his hometown Congressman and our esteemed 
colleague, Representative Lloyd Doggett.
  David then joined the Committee working on public lands issues before 
working his way up to Subcommittee Staff Director, Chief Counsel, and 
eventually to Staff Director of the full Committee. Under David's 
leadership in the majority and minority, our Committee saw historic 
accomplishments, from advancing comprehensive environmental justice 
legislation to supporting self-determination for the people of Puerto 
Rico.
  Even as the Full Committee Staff Director, David's work on the behalf 
of public lands was never far from his heart. Throughout his career he 
was an adept advocate for special places, advancing historic lands 
bills from P.L. 111-11 and the Dingell Act to the Great American 
Outdoors Act.
  Perhaps most of all, David was a trusted and respected leader on our 
team, helping to support and develop staff, incorporate diversity and 
inclusivity, and ensure we championed issues too often forgotten. His 
knowledge of Committee process and history was invaluable as I took on 
a Committee leadership role, and his guidance and good humor have 
helped our Committee through many long markups and floor debates.
  Nancy Locke, the Chief Clerk of the House Committee on Natural 
Resources, has been in her current role since 2019, but her service to 
this Committee and this Congress began long before.
  Nancy first joined the Committee more than twenty years ago, first 
serving as the Clerk for the Subcommittees on Energy and Mineral 
Resources and National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands under Chair Doc 
Hastings, before working her way up to Deputy Chief Clerk and then 
Chief Clerk of the Full Committee. Her distinguished career also 
included more than a half decade of service on the House Education and 
Labor Committee as their Chief Clerk.
  Throughout her time on the Hill, Nancy has seen this chamber change 
hands and change in its composition, but she has remained an unwavering 
force. Over the years, Nancy has kept our hearings and markups in 
order, consistently ensuring proper procedure, and keeping the 
Committee on track.
  Her famed weekly meetings served as an opportunity for her team to 
coordinate activities across the Committee but was also at the heart of 
our work--she kept the trains running on time, helped ease staff 
transitions, and organized procedurally complex Committee business.
  In addition to her work as Chief Clerk, Nancy has provided invaluable 
mentorship to

[[Page E1264]]

many talented teams of Subcommittee Clerks and Policy Aides, whose own 
successes serve as a testament to her guidance and leadership.
  Finally, I want to thank Chris Kaumo for his twenty years of service. 
I have known Chris since before I was a Member of Congress as he was 
one of the first staffers on my first campaign. Chris was an essential 
force in my early work in this Chamber, helping to organize and staff 
our offices, while ensuring quality service for the people of southern 
Arizona.
  From running phone banks to now serving as a Deputy Staff Director 
and Senior Advisor to the Committee, his work and friendship have meant 
the world to me. When I first assumed my role as Ranking Member on the 
House Natural Resources Committee, I asked for Chris's help in a new 
capacity, and brought him on to serve as Staff Director on the 
Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States. In that role, 
Chris has been an essential advocate for elevating Indigenous voices 
and protecting the rights of Indigenous communities.
  He is a Committee leader and a trusted advisor, and I am deeply 
indebted to his long service to our district, state, and the Nation.
  Madam Speaker, though David, Nancy, and Chris will be deeply missed 
on the Natural Resources team, I have no doubt they will find 
fulfilling and exciting opportunities in their next steps. I want to 
thank them all for their dedication, service, and friendship over the 
years.

                          ____________________