[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               HONORING BARBARA HARPER ON HER RETIREMENT

  (Mr. Emmer of Minnesota was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our 
outstanding caseworkers, Barbara Harper.
  Barbara is retiring at the end of the month after nearly two decades 
of public service to the people of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional 
District. We are lucky to have Barbara here on the floor today for this 
speech.
  This is a bittersweet moment. As the lead caseworker in our office, 
Barbara repeatedly demonstrated compassion, tenacity, and dedication. 
These values define public service. Her career as a caseworker began 
over 18 years ago under Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, whom she first 
met when their children were in school together in Stillwater, 
Minnesota.
  Concerned by the curriculum her kids, Ben and Libby, were exposed to 
in the public school system, Barbara teamed up with other parents, 
including Representative Bachmann, to voice their concerns. It was 
through this shared passion that Barbara and Michele developed a 
friendship. It wasn't until Barbara, her late husband, Larry, and their 
kids returned from a 3-year stay in Singapore for Larry's job that 
Barbara's career in public service began.
  Barbara reconnected with Michele in the grocery store. Michele 
remembered Barbara's passion for school choice and concerns with the 
school system. Barbara went on to help Michele in her Minnesota senate 
campaign as a volunteer scheduler. When Michelle decided to run for 
Congress, Barbara helped organize and support her campaign. After her 
victory, Barbara joined the Bachmann staff as a caseworker. She has led 
casework operations for the last 18 years, starting in 2007.
  Barbara is a total powerhouse. Her efforts alone returned hundreds of 
millions of taxpayer dollars rightfully owed to our constituents. She 
has helped secure more than $1 million in Federal funds for Minnesotans 
in the first 5 months of this year alone. Still, it is the human impact 
of her work that sets her apart.
  Barbara helped hundreds of Minnesota families with foreign adoptions, 
notably reuniting 4-year-old Otra, who was in a Kenyan refugee camp, 
with her family in the United States. Otra was a baby when her family 
left for the U.S. and lacked the proper paperwork to emigrate with 
them. After years of work, Barbara secured authorization for Otra to 
enter the U.S. and coordinated with the airport to ensure a smooth 
arrival. It was an understandably emotional reunion for the family and 
one that continued to serve as motivation for Barbara as she worked to 
solve similar cases for other Minnesota families.
  The walls of Barbara's office are covered with photos of families she 
has assisted, thank-you cards, and drawings from young children as a 
token of appreciation for her help. Not only does she support families 
in need, but she actively fights the Federal bureaucracy on 
Minnesotans' behalf.
  One story involves a simple display of the First Amendment. A 
constituent of mine had signed and filed his tax return while adding 
the words ``under protest without prejudice.'' For this, the 
constituent received a threatening letter from the thugs at the IRS, 
telling him he could be fined $5,000 for adding those words. Barbara 
contacted the IRS, stood up for free speech, and prevented a fine from 
ever being levied against him.
  Barbara represents the best of all of us. She attends community 
events like the Senior Expo and brings casework directly to 
constituents. Barbara has held close to 100 hours of mobile office 
hours across our district.
  Barbara also led our office's Congressional Art Competition, a 
program that actually turned into a passion for her. For years, we 
struggled to receive submissions, but thanks to Barbara's efforts, the 
program has turned into one of our most successful outreach projects. 
The best part is the joy it brings to Barbara when we recognize the 
young artists and their beautiful work.
  Barbara's commitment to service is unmatched. She often stayed in our 
office late into the night and worked weekends to help our 
constituents. Barbara has left an incredible impact on our community 
and has touched countless lives, including my own.
  Anyone who knows Barbara knows she is a devoted patriot. She 
frequently reminds our legislative team of the importance of our pro-
liberty, America First principles, and she staunchly opposed the Big 
Government policy positions of the Obama and Biden administrations.
  Barbara is one of a kind. My wife, Jacquie, and I will always cherish 
her friendship. On behalf of our staff, the Sixth District, and the 
Nation, I thank Barbara for everything. I wish her all the best. I urge 
everyone to thank Barbara for her years of service to this institution.

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