[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 25643-25644]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SAYING FAREWELL TO HOUSE PARLIAMENTARIAN MUFTIAH McCARTIN

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that all of us as 
Members of this great institution owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to 
our Parliamentarian and his staff of Parliamentarians who do a 
phenomenal job for us.
  One of the very best examples of success from those Parliamentarians 
who work daily to ensure the orderly operation of this great 
institution is our friend, Muftiah McCartin.
  After nearly three decades in the Office of the Parliamentarian, 
Muftiah is retiring to spend more time with her family. As anyone who 
has worked with Muftiah can attest, speaking with her is like having a 
double espresso. Her enthusiasm for her job is infectious, and there is 
no doubt that we will sorely miss her, for after working here 30 years, 
she is retiring.
  Muftiah has worked in the House longer than most Members. This year I 
marked my 25th year of service in this institution, and she was working 
here 5 years before I arrived. Over the course of those three decades, 
she has served under six Speakers and during the tenure of six 
Presidents. Most importantly, she has worked for three Parliamentarians 
of the House.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout her career in this institution, Muftiah has 
strived for personal and professional excellence; and she, without a 
doubt, achieved both. After earning her bachelor's degree and law 
degree while working in the office as a clerk, Muftiah became the first 
woman to be appointed a Parliamentarian in January, 1991.
  In my position chairing the House Rules Committee, we have a special 
bond with Muftiah. She has worked very closely with the staff members 
of the Rules Committee in drafting many of the rules for considering 
legislation on the floor. As Members know, at this moment, we are in 
the process of dealing with something of a challenge as we put together 
the manager's amendment for the measure that we will be passing out of 
this House tomorrow.
  She also served as the long-time editor of the House Rules and 
Manual. I have my appropriate prop right here for those who have not 
seen that. And she edited two editions of House Practice. I know she 
takes great pride in both the contents and the craftsmanship of these 
beautiful, leather-bound volumes that each of us has in our office.
  Muftiah has always had a passion for service and an endearment for 
this institution and a commitment to our great democracy. Over many 
years and many late nights, she has been essential to the work of the 
House. Her unvarnished advice has helped countless bills receive a 
proper hearing on the floor. We were very lucky to have her. Though 
they may not have known her name, the American people have been very, 
very fortunate to have had Muftiah McCartin working on their behalf.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all of the Members and the staff Muftiah so 
ably served over these past 30 years, I would like to offer my sincere 
thanks and very best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement to 
Muftiah.
  Congratulations, Muftiah.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. DREIER. I yield to my very good friend from Peoria, Illinois.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Rules Committee 
for taking time this evening to honor Muftiah, because as some Members 
know, when we came here in 1994, which is the class I was elected to, 
not one of us had ever really served as Speaker pro tem because we had 
been out of the majority for 40 years. For those of us who have had the 
privilege of acting as Speaker pro tem, we have relied almost 
exclusively on the Parliamentarians to give us good advice, to share 
with us the importance of chairing the House in a way that dignifies 
this body, by following the rules, doing it in a fair and bipartisan 
way; and for the kind of opportunity that I think Muftiah has provided 
to those of us who have had this privilege, we are very, very grateful 
to her.
  As one who was a former staffer of 17 years for two previous Members, 
one who served as the longest-serving Republican leader, Bob Michel, in 
the minority we relied a great deal on the Parliamentarians to help 
guide us through meeting the challenges of trying to get things done as 
a minority party. Muftiah was certainly a part of that team that really 
helped us do that.
  Then coming into the majority party and serving with great privilege 
and honor as Speaker pro tem, I can tell you that Muftiah was 
extraordinary in her ability to help us get through some very, very 
important legislation not only for those of us in the majority party, 
but for the country. We could not have done it without her great 
assistance and great knowledge.
  She is an extraordinary person, outside of the work she does here in 
the House and aiding all of us who sit in the Chair, but in her own 
personal life, as the mother of four children, having a spouse, and 
having to work long hours. As one who has served here as a staffer, I 
can tell you that the staff does not get enough credit for the good 
work that goes on around here in helping us do the work that we do.
  In particular, the Parliamentarians do an extraordinary job in making 
sure that things are done correctly, by the book, and Muftiah has 
certainly been a part of a great team and will be greatly missed.
  Muftiah, thank you for the wonderful, wonderful, good, solid advice 
and the professional manner with which you have distinguished yourself 
in this House of Representatives. I know it is very difficult to walk 
away.
  Mr. Speaker, we owe her a great deal for what she has done for those 
of us who have had the privilege of presiding and for her great advice.
  Good luck and Godspeed. We are very grateful to you.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would say to my friend 
that so many of us have seen the gentleman from Illinois, in an 
extraordinarily able manner, preside over this

[[Page 25644]]

institution. The word is now out that it is not Ray LaHood who is 
presiding so ably over this great institution, it is Muftiah McCartin 
who is, in fact, making that happen.
  When it comes to appreciation, the gentleman is absolutely right, Mr. 
Speaker, we do not express enough appreciation to our staff.
  Muftiah, I will say to you, you saw what Ray LaHood did to ensure 
that he was adequately appreciated. He went from serving as a staff 
member to becoming a Member of Congress. I don't want to necessarily 
recommend that to you as you head into retirement, but if you do want 
to follow the LaHood model, it is certainly something you might 
consider.
  Let me say again, congratulations to Muftiah for her phenomenal 
service. I know on behalf of Speaker Hastert, the House leadership, and 
all the Members of this institution on both sides of the aisle, we are 
very, very honored to have had you serve here so ably.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the many years of 
service of House parliamentarian, Muftiah McCartin, who completes her 
excellent work in this body later this week.
  Ms. McCartin joined the Parliamentarian's office in 1976, and has 
served during the tenure of six Speakers of the House, and six 
Presidents.
  In 1991, she became the first woman to be appointed a 
Parliamentarian. As someone who understands the importance of breaking 
glass ceilings, I am particularly honored to acknowledge her 
outstanding work.
  Muftiah has always had a wonderful smile and a warm demeanor on the 
House floor. As we know, it can get pretty heated in debate and very 
partisan.
  But Muftiah has always been a calm and rationale presence to Members 
of both sides of the aisle and their staff who seek parliamentary 
advice. She has brought a keen mind, and a clear understanding of House 
rules that has served this institution very well.
  In addition to the long, grueling hours that she has spent on the 
House floor, Muftiah McCartin has managed to raise four wonderful 
children: Marissa, Elaine, Sandra, and Luke. I'm sure she will welcome 
spending the extra time with her family and her husband, Terry.
  Muftiah, today we thank you for your service to this great 
institution and wish you the very best. You have been a tremendous 
asset to the work that we do every day. And we will miss you.
  Thank you again for your many years of commitment toward making this 
House of Representatives a better place.
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor House Associate 
Parliamentarian Muftiah McCartin. Today marks the final day in the long 
and distinguished career of Muftiah, who has served this House with 
great distinction for nearly 30 years in the Office of the 
Parliamentarian.
  During her nearly three decades of service, Muftiah served under six 
Speakers and three different Parliamentarians of the House. Charlie 
Johnson, the former Parliamentarian, would often describe Muftiah as a 
``Renaissance woman.'' She came to work for the Parliamentarian's 
Office as a clerk in 1976 and continued her education at night. On top 
of her day job and night school, Muftiah was a dedicated mother. She 
accomplished all her tasks with great determination, strength, and 
grace. After completing her juris doctorate, Muftiah was the first 
woman appointed an Assistant Parliamentarian in January of 1991 by 
Speaker Tom Foley.
  Aside from her dedication to the office's daily procedural mission, 
she has provided special expertise to the House in the areas of budget 
process and rule making. Muftiah has also assisted the office as the 
long-time editor of the House Rules and Manual, published every 
Congress, as well as two editions of House Practice.
  Over the years I have served in this House as both a Member and now 
Speaker, I have come to have a greater appreciation for the role of the 
office of the Parliamentarian and those giving me advice. On behalf of 
all those who have looked to you for help while presiding in the 
Speaker's chair, thank you for being such a trusted and educated 
colleague.
  I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope that 
with the long hours of this job behind you, you will be afforded more 
time to spend with your husband and four children.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to an 
outstanding member of the House Parliamentarian's office who is 
retiring today after nearly 30 years of service. Muftiah McCartin will 
be retiring from her position as Associate Parliamentarian. She will 
truly be missed.
  Muftiah has been a part of this institution longer than most Members. 
She began her career with the Parliamentarian's office in 1976, 3 years 
before I came to the House. She started as a Clerk and worked her way 
up to one of the senior positions in the office. As a Clerk, she 
continued her education and eventually earned her law degree. She 
became the first woman to be appointed a Parliamentarian in 1991. Her 
story is truly one of personal and professional excellence, initiative, 
and dedication to her responsibilities.
  Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Appropriations is particularly sad to 
see Muftiah leave. Her knowledge of parliamentary rules and precedents 
as they pertain to appropriations bills is unsurpassed, as is her 
knowledge of the budget process. The Committee has always had 
tremendous confidence in her skills and ability to proffer accurate 
advice. With numerous regular and supplemental appropriations bills 
coming to the House floor each year, the Committee relied on her 
expertise extensively. The words ``check with Muftiah'' were heard over 
and over again in the Committee's offices.
  The Committee's high admiration of Muftiah's professional skills is 
matched by the Committee's appreciation of the calm and composed manner 
in which she performed her duties. She is always approachable and 
willing to take time to work on any matter, even when the other demands 
on her time are huge. She always approaches her work with a smile and 
keeps her sense of humor. In addition to the professional relationships 
she developed with the staff of the Committee, many highly valued 
personal friendships arose during her time with us.
  Muftiah will now be able to spend more time with her family--her 
husband Terry, and her children Marissa, Elaine, Sandra, and Luke. She 
and her family have made a lot of sacrifices over the years. I hope 
that now she will have more time to attend her children's basketball, 
soccer, and baseball games as well as other family activities that are 
so important.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Members and staff of the Committee on 
Appropriations, I want to wish Muftiah well as she embarks on this next 
phase of her life's journey. I also genuinely thank her for all that 
she has done for the House and for the Committee, and I want her to 
know that she will be missed.

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