[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11358]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING THE GRATITUDE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO ITS 
           PARLIAMENTARIAN, THE HONORABLE CHARLES W. JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, as many have already stated, and as many 
more Members are eager to express, Charlie Johnson's departure will be 
a loss to this great institution we serve, and which Charlie has served 
so well for an amazing 40 years.
  While a tremendous amount has changed in this country, and in this 
House, over the last 40 years, one thing that has remained constant is 
Charlie's dedicated service to this great institution.
  Throughout his tenure, Charlie has been a wise counselor, a trusted 
confidant, and an impartial adjudicator who has served both parties 
without pride or prejudice. He has served seven Speakers, and he has 
served each of them--and each of us--admirably.
  For those who don't readily grasp the significance of the role of 
Parliamentarian, it is the Parliamentarian who makes sure that we can 
continue to conduct the House's business every hour of every day.
  Those visiting, or watching at home on C-Span, may understand the 
importance of the House Parliamentarian as Members come and go from the 
Speaker's Chair. When they see Members in the Chair making procedural 
decisions, they also see the Parliamentarian's staff providing helpful 
advice on a timely basis.
  For those of us who serve in the House, the Parliamentarian is an 
absolute lifeline. He's also the occasional judge, father confessor, 
and calm in the storm of the House floor as Members and parties seek to 
advance their own interests.
  Although it seems that we increasingly can't find ourselves in 
agreement on many things, too many things for that matter, one thing 
that is beyond dispute is that Charlie has embodied the ideal of the 
civil servant who tirelessly has served the interests of the American 
people.
  I, like so many others, am proud to have served with him.

                          ____________________