[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 31, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5652-S5653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Tribute to LaVerne Allen

  Mr. TILLIS. Madam President, I will be brief. Back in the early 
eighties, disco was popular. I was young, and LaVerne Allen was just 
coming into the Senate, first as an intern and now as what everybody 
refers to as the ``enforcer'' on the floor.
  I had to come over here. I am even doing this on a bipartisan basis. 
I came to the Democratic side of the aisle to trace LaVerne down to 
force her to get into the picture, probably the first time in her 
career.
  But ladies and gentlemen, a lot of times we take for granted what 
happens in this Chamber. We don't think about all the hard work the 
staff does. They get here before us, they leave after us. We don't 
think about how difficult it is to come to a U.S. Senator and tell them 
to be quiet. I will tell you, she trains her proteges well because she 
just had Sherrod Brown be asked to be quiet by an intern over there, 
somebody who just started. I saw it happen. LaVerne was about to, but 
you trained somebody to take your place really well.
  Ladies and gentlemen, we have to recognize this place only runs 
because we have a strong Sergeant at Arms staff and great staff in both 
cloakrooms and up on the dais.
  I did not want this week to pass, when LaVerne is about to take 
retirement and hopefully spend a little time with her beloved son 
Marcus, who is in the Navy stationed in Japan right now. I feel like, 
if it weren't against the rules and it wouldn't make the 
Parliamentarian mad for me to ask unanimous consent to take a selfie on 
the floor--I am not going to do that, but I am going to thank LaVerne 
for 43 years of service to this great institution.

[[Page S5653]]

  I know we are not supposed to applaud, but I will anyway.
  Thank you, Madam President.
  (Applause.)