[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E90]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO HOPE DERRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 2023

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated 
Congressional staffer, trusted confidante, and friend. Hope Derrick has 
served the people of South Carolina's 6th Congressional District as a 
member of my staff for over 20 years throughout the last 3 decades. She 
is the model image of a public servant and deserves to be celebrated 
and congratulated on her retirement.
  Hope was born on July 13, 1968, in Birmingham, Alabama to the late 
Charles Warren Derrick of Marion, South Carolina and Ann Berry Derrick 
of Spartanburg, South Carolina. They returned to the Palmetto state 
when she was 8 years old. She has called Columbia, South Carolina home 
ever since. Hope attended Spring Valley High School and upon her 
graduation pursued further education at Boston University, where she 
received a bachelor's in journalism with a concentration in 
broadcasting.
  After graduation, Hope began her career as a reporter for a local TV 
and radio station, covering political news relating to the South 
Carolina Congressional Delegation. In 1993, she became Communications 
Director for the South Carolina Democratic Party. Two years after I 
began my Congressional career, Hope joined my staff as Communications 
Director in my district office. In 1998, shortly after giving birth to 
her son, Ethan, she left for a year to live in London with her husband, 
Marc Turner, during his teaching Fulbright. She returned to my office 
in 1999 and shortly thereafter gave birth to her daughter Emery in 
2000.
  Hope served diligently in this role for almost 19 years, until 
stepping away from congressional work in 2013, to work at the 
University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. She first 
served as the Associate Director for Strategic Communications, and 
later as the Assistant to the Dean of Libraries for Special Projects.
  During this time Hope al earned a master's degree in Library and 
Information Science. In 2019, after 5 years at the University, Hope 
returned to my staff as Communications Director in my Majority Whip 
office.
  Throughout her many years in my office, Hope has been crucial in 
navigating the press and helping to communicate my message to 
constituents. From my highly charged efforts to name the Matthew J. 
Perry, Jr. United States Court House to my controversial establishment 
of the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency; to hosting innumerable 
Presidential candidates at my ``World Famous Fish Fry'' to assisting in 
the production of my memoir, Blessed Experiences; and truly countless 
other moments, Hope was there. She has played a critical role in the 
development of my career and service, and in her retirement, I hope to 
continue utilizing her talents.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in recognizing 
this dedicated public servant. Hope Derrick's retirement is well-earned 
and well-deserved. I wish her all the best as she embarks upon new 
adventures in the state she and I hold so dear.

                          ____________________