[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22270-22271]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE SERVICE AND DEDICATION OF GREG HOLYFIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lt. 
Wayland Gregory Holyfield for his contributions to the Sixth District 
of Tennessee while serving on my Washington, DC staff. As any member of 
Congress knows, our legislative achievements and successful constituent 
services programs would not be possible without a cadre of great staff 
working behind the scenes. They work long hours--often for little pay 
or recognition--and their service is simply invaluable to those of us 
who serve in this esteemed chamber. Throughout my 26 years in Congress, 
I have been fortunate to have many bright, able staff members with an 
interest in serving their country by working in this body. Today, I'd 
like to single out those who are serving my constituents as my tenure 
comes to a close.
  Greg is one of a distinguished group of staff members who have served 
a second term on my staff after leaving to pursue graduate degrees and 
other work. Greg first came to my office as a Legislative Correspondent 
in 2003, having gained Capitol Hill experience in the office of Senator 
Mark Pryor. His hard work soon earned him a promotion to my Legislative 
Assistant for foreign affairs, immigration, agriculture and other 
issues, Greg was a valuable resource to me and to constituents with 
concerns in these policy areas. Greg also lent special expertise to 
issues related to the music and recording industry, having grown up in 
a family in Nashville's songwriting business.
  Public service came naturally to Greg. Prior to working in my office, 
he served in the Peace Corps, spending more than two years overseeing 
agricultural projects in Mali. In 2005 he left my office to join the 
inaugural class at the Clinton School of Public Service at the 
University of Arkansas. After graduating from the Clinton School, Greg 
made the decision to join the Armed Forces and serve his country in the 
U.S. Army Reserves. We are extremely proud of his service and honored 
to count him as an alumnus of the office.

[[Page 22271]]

  When Greg decided to return to Washington, DC, to pursue his love of 
politics, his timing could not have been better. Greg took on the 
gargantuan and unenviable task of preparing my official papers to be 
archived at the Albert Gore Research Center at my alma mater, Middle 
Tennessee State University. Greg attacked this mountain of paper with 
impressive organization and patience. Analyzing and cataloging 26 years 
worth of legislative records, invitations, correspondence and press 
files is no small feat, and the process of closing my office would not 
have gone as smoothly without Greg's dedication to the project. Greg's 
work made it possible for me and my staff to continue at full throttle 
with the office's legislative work through the end of my term this 
year. In addition, it has helped to establish a historical record of 
the district and the legislative process that I hope will be valuable 
to MTSU students and Middle Tennesseans for generations to come.
  It has been wonderful to have Greg on the team once again. Those who 
worked with him before welcomed the return of his dry sense of humor 
and natural charm, and the newer members of my staff have developed an 
appreciation for his passion for the Georgia Bulldogs, enthusiasm for 
war movies, and love of both types of music--country and western.
  Madam Speaker, Greg Holyfield has done great work in the service of 
the Sixth District of Tennessee. He comes from a good Tennessee family, 
and I know they are very proud of him. Greg, thank you for your help to 
my office and your service to our country. I wish you all the best in 
the future.

                          ____________________