[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E32]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING FERN BILLET ON HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD NORCROSS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2024

  Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Fern S. 
Billet on her retirement.
  Fern S. Billet is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where 
she earned the status of cum laude, graduating with a Bachelor of the 
Arts in Anthropology before she continued her education at Rutgers 
University-Camden School of Law. Her illustrious career began as a Law 
Clerk for Kelly, Harrington, McLaughlin & Foster in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, and for three years she was an Associate Attorney, 
drafting pleadings and preparing written correspondence with courts, 
witnesses, and clients.
  Fern S. Billet would go onto work in the office of Congressman Joesph 
M. Hoeffel of Pennsylvania's 13th District as a part-time District 
Representative until 2003 when she stepped into the role full-time for 
one year. She held many roles in the representative's office including 
assisting in planning events, attending events on behalf of the 
Congressman, and working as a constituent service caseworker. In 
February of 2005, Fern S. Billet joined the staff at the Corporal 
Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center as a Correspondence Analyst and 
Congressional Liaison, a role that she has held to the present day. She 
has also headed several other roles during her time at the Medical 
Center, such as a one-year tenure as the Interim Vice-President of 
External Affairs Product Line, three years effectively as the Center's 
Public Affairs Officer as well as the Community Relations Coordinator 
and Interim Privacy/FOIA Officer.
  Across her several roles throughout her career, Fern S. Billet held 
responsibility for several staff members in Medical Media and Voluntary 
Service, helped implement and manage the facility's Privacy and Freedom 
of Information Act programs, manage, and track oral and written 
correspondence as well as provide Congressional briefings, visits, and 
tours as she worked to support Veterans. She also oversaw media 
interaction, community relations, and all communication with internal 
and external stakeholders. She worked diligently to promote attention 
to veteran's affairs as well as, planned, coordinated, and supervised 
special events to raise spirits and moral of both staff and patients of 
the center.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Fern S. 
Billet of Phliadephia, Pennsylvania, a public servant dedicated to the 
veteran community, upon her retirement from the Corporal Michael J. 
Crescenz VA Medical Center.

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