[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25759]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF RITA THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Rita 
Thompson upon her retirement from the House Armed Services Committee 
after 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the United States 
Congress.
  Rita grew up in southwestern Virginia and before coming to work for 
Congress, she worked for the Department of the Army in the Pentagon for 
5\1/2\ years.
  Rita began her career on Capitol Hill in January 1974 with the House 
Armed Services Committee. During her years on the committee she has 
worked on the Personnel Subcommittee, and directly with the General 
Counsel and the Staff Director. For the past 20 years she has held the 
position of Professional Staff Member and served as the committee's 
senior administrator, managing a multi million-dollar annual budget, 
and organizing Congressional travel, among many other duties. As a 
result of her position and responsibilities, Rita has regularly 
interacted not only with Members of Congress, but also with Senators, 
foreign dignitaries, and high ranking military officials.
  Rita's committee service has spanned six presidents, seven committee 
chairmen, and seven staff directors. I speak for myself, past chairmen 
and ranking minority members, and any and everyone who has had the 
privilege of working with Rita, in thanking her for her tireless work 
and dedication to the House Armed Services Committee.
  Rita's charm has always been a trademark of her personality. In a 
place where many people come and go, Rita has been a symbol of 
commitment and dedication from which many of us could learn. I 
congratulate her on her retirement and thank her for over three decades 
of honorable service to this Congress and her country. On behalf of the 
House Armed Services Committee and the United States Congress, I wish 
you the best of luck as you begin this new chapter of your life.

                          ____________________