[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7606]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF FRANKLIN D. BARCA

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I rise today to express my thanks to 
Franklin D. Barca, a loyal member of my staff who has chosen to retire 
after being a public servant to our country for more than four decades. 
A graduate of Braintree High School in Braintree, MA, and Northeastern 
University, Frank served a full career as a civilian within the 
Department of Defense at locations such as the U.S. Army Natick Soldier 
Systems Center, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the Pentagon. To my 
good fortune, Frank was assigned to my office as a detailee in 1997 and 
later agreed to join my staff as my military legislative assistant, a 
position he has dutifully held ever since.
  Serving as my adviser on national security issues, Frank's greatest 
legacy will be his work as the clerk of the caucus created to save the 
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during the 2005 round of base realignment and 
closure. His tireless work ethic, attention to detail, and leadership 
were instrumental in our efforts to show the Department of Defense that 
Portsmouth truly is the gold standard of the Navy. During his work on 
BRAC, Frank was affectionately given the nickname of ``The General.''
  Walking through the Capitol with Frank you understand his love and 
respect for history. Whether it's showing someone Lincoln's catafalque 
for the first time or telling stories of the District during the Civil 
War, Frank seems to have a bit of trivia for every corner of this 
building. In the words of another man whom the states of New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts lay claim, Daniel Webster, ``The dignity of history 
consists in reciting events with truth and accuracy, and in presenting 
human agents and their actions in an interesting and instructive form. 
The first element in history, therefore, is truthfulness; and this 
truthfulness must be displayed in a concrete form.'' I will certainly 
miss Frank's advice, straightforwardness, and willingness to go the 
extra mile to help me serve the people of New Hampshire.
  I hope that Frank Barca will enjoy his retirement. It is an 
achievement that he certainly has earned. I know that Frank will get 
pleasure from being able to spend more time with his wife Elaine, his 
daughters, and his four grandchildren Katie, Meredith, Michael, and 
Sarah.

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