[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 24]
[Senate]
[Page 33056]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             THANKING STAFF

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, I want to take a few minutes 
in the midst of this debate to acknowledge some individuals who work 
for us here in the Senate. As chairman of the Legislative Branch 
Appropriations subcommittee that funds these agencies, I have had the 
opportunity to get to know these staffs and have a good understanding 
of the work they do for us here in the Senate. These folks work 
tirelessly behind the scenes at all times to keep this institution 
running safe and sound under any circumstances.
  We have been in session every weekend since Thanksgiving, including 
during the largest December snowstorm in Washington's history, and we 
have worked uninterrupted thanks to the dedication and hard work of 
these individuals. It is easy to take for granted the hard work they 
perform on a daily basis--and we often do, but today, on behalf of the 
entire Senate I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of them.
  I want to start by thanking the U.S. Capitol Police Force, led by 
Chief Philip Morse and Assistant Chief Dan Nichols. This force of 1800 
officers put their lives on the line every day to protect us and this 
institution, and they have all worked a tremendous amount of overtime 
lately. I want to particularly mention the terrific work of Inspector 
Sandra Coffman and her staff in the Capitol Division for all the extra 
hours they have worked in securing and protecting the Capitol and the 
Chamber. They have gone above and beyond their normal duty, and we are 
extremely grateful for their dedication to our safety and protection.
  Next I want to thank the staff of the Senate Sergeant at Arms, led by 
Sergeant at Arms Terry Gainer and Deputy Sergeant at Arms Drew 
Willison. The SAA staff of nearly 900 people includes the doorkeepers 
who have worked nonstop through the last month keeping access to the 
Senate available for staff and visitors who have traveled to Washington 
to witness this historic debate firsthand. They have kept our computer 
systems and overstretched telephone systems running, kept the mail 
moving, and the recording studio functioning, not to mention the 
facilities staff who have kept the Capitol Building clean and warm, 
replenishing wood for the fireplaces nonstop.
  I want to thank the staff of the Architect of the Capitol, led by 
Acting Architect Stephen Ayers, and the many, many folks who have 
worked around the clock from Ted Bechtel and the Capitol Grounds crew 
who have been removing snow from the road, sidewalks, and parking lots 
of the Capitol Complex, to Robin Morey and his staff who have kept the 
Senate buildings clean and warm throughout these long, long weeks. I 
truly appreciate the extra hours of work provided by these individuals.
  I want to thank the Secretary of the Senate, Nancy Erickson, and her 
staff, including the legislative clerks, the bill clerks, the enrolling 
clerks, the executive clerks, Parliamentarians, official reporters of 
debates, captioning services, journal clerks, and the staff of the 
Daily Digest. These folks have been here around the clock, under some 
very tiring circumstances, to deliver the services that are needed to 
keep this institution running.
  Last but not least, I want to thank Lula Davis and David Schiappa, 
our floor leaders, for their tireless guidance in keeping us--the 
Members--where we need to be when we need to be there. We are in your 
debt.
  Mr. President, I have undoubtedly left out many people in the Senate 
who deserve to be thanked, and I hope they know who they are and how 
much we appreciate them.

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