[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6820]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MS. ELLEN GIBSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 2005

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and wish well in 
retirement Ms. Ellen Gibson of Fresno, California. Ellen has diligently 
served her community for over 30 years.
  Ms. Gibson began her public service career in 1972 with Congressman 
Bernie Sisk. Through the years Ellen became an instrumental team member 
in the district offices of two other Congressional Representatives. She 
joined the staff of Congressman Tony Coelho in 1979 and, my 
predecessor, Congressman Cal Dooley in 1991.
  Ellen began as a District Aide to Congressmen Sisk where she 
generated press releases, performed general office duties and handled 
constituent casework. After her time there she joined Congressman 
Coelho as an Office Director. In this capacity Ellen managed the Fresno 
district office, trained new staff people, and was responsible for 
federal casework. Finally, Ellen became Congressman Dooley's Senior 
Casework Manager.
  While her responsibilities were many, Ellen was devoted to, and 
excellent at, one of the most important aspect of a district office--
casework. To this day her coworkers laud Ellen's assiduous efforts to 
help the people of the San Joaquin Valley. This type of work is one of 
the most demanding tasks a Congressional staff member faces, and Ellen 
not only embraced, but also effectively managed this large 
responsibility.
  Ellen's work positively impacted the lives of the many people she 
touched. Whether she helped somebody attain their citizenship, or their 
social security benefits, Ellen met each and every case with renewed 
energy and desire to help.
  Ellen has set the standard for individuals who follow in her 
footsteps, and her shoes will be difficult to fill. Her retirement is 
bittersweet. While we will miss her greatly, this time is much 
deserved.

                          ____________________