[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 5763]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING JOYCE BEAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, last week, in Galesburg, Illinois, I held a 
town hall meeting to discuss the economic recovery package. While I was 
there, I told a standing-room-only crowd that Joyce Bean, who manages 
my Galesburg office, was retiring after 26 years of service to the 17th 
Congressional District. Joyce received a standing ovation. That one 
moment captured just how much the people of Galesburg, Knox County, and 
the 17th Congressional District and I appreciate her service.
  Joyce has spent her entire career giving to others. As a member of 
the Communication Workers of America, the United Way of Knox County, 
and a longtime staffer to my predecessor, Congressman Lane Evans, she 
made a lasting impact on so many people's lives.
  Upon receiving a prestigious community service award from the United 
Way in 1986, Joyce was called ``one of those rare phenomena that comes 
along only once in a lifetime.'' Joyce helped provide Christmas 
presents for needy children, acquired an acre of land for local Boy 
Scouts, and organized the area's first recycling drive, just to name a 
few. She was the first woman to become a United Way President in 
Galesburg, Illinois. Through her leadership, she has inspired others to 
answer the call of service.
  When Maytag Corporation shut its doors in 2004, she was the first 
person to offer displaced workers the helping hand they so desperately 
needed. And as a member of my staff, she has assisted local families 
with everything from retirement security to workers rights, and even 
going to bat for them with our friends at the Internal Revenue Service.
  For her service to the labor movement, the city of Galesburg, the 
17th Congressional District, and our entire Nation, I salute her. 
Joyce, congratulations on your retirement. You will be missed not just 
by the staff, not just by me, but the entire people of the 17th 
District.
  Once again, Joyce, congratulations, and best of luck on your 
retirement.

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