Elton Gallegly

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the men and women who work day after day, and often on nights and weekends, that I may best serve the people of California's 24th Congressional District.

During my 26 years in Congress, I have hired the best self-starters I could find who have a proven track record of caring for the people for whom they serve. As a result, I have one of the smallest staffs of any Member of Congress. As proof of their dedication and professionalism, I also have one of the lowest turnover rates of any Member of Congress.

My district director, Paula Sheil, started with me in 1972 in the private sector and has run my district office since I was first elected to Congress. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of my district office, Paula brings me back to earth and redirects my energies when I get off-kilter.

As my district chief of staff for 20 years, Brian Miller served as my surrogate in the district when I was in Washington, DC. He knows everyone, everyone knows him, and he has been instrumental in my knowledge of the needs and concerns of the county, cities, districts, organizations and individuals throughout the district.

Tina Cobb has been handling my casework for 20 years. If a constituent has a problem and Tina can not solve it, it cannot be solved. She knows the ins and outs of our Federal agencies and can cut through red tape like no one else.

Myrna Vafee joined my district staff 6 years ago. In addition to doing case work, Myrna does all the chores necessary to keep an office running, from sorting mail to greeting constituents. Her smile immediately puts people at ease.

Thomas Widroe has been my deputy district director for 2 years, working from my Solvang office and acting as my eyes and ears in the North County.

Joel Kassiday has been my chief of staff in Washington, DC, for 11 years. Joel is the epitome of efficiency. I have learned to be very careful before I ask Joel to undertake a task because he has it done before you have a chance to change your mind.

Marianne Brant, my executive assistant, has been with me for 6 years. Marianne's primary responsibility is to maintain my schedule and to make sure I am where I am supposed to be. There probably is no tougher job in a congressional office and Marianne does it with poise, efficiency, and an ever-present smile.

Richard Mereu, my chief counsel and administrative assistant, has been a trusted advisor for 18 years. He has served as my staff director on the subcommittees I've chaired on both the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees, in addition to advising me on a wide range of legislative issues.

Tom Pfeifer joined my staff 14 years ago after 15 years as a journalist in my district. Tom's knowledge of the media, the people, the issues, and the politics of the district has made him a valuable resource in my D.C. office.

Cecilia Daly has been my legislative counsel for 6 years. Cecilia is a master researcher who takes great pleasure in tutoring our interns on that skill.

Kenneth Steinhardt first came to my office as an intern and came to work for me full time 7 years ago. Kenny is a bulldog on legislation. He builds coalitions on and off the Hill to move a bill and does not let up.

RJ Hauman is my newest staff member. As staff assistant, he is often the first person a constituent interacts with in my D.C. office.

Mr. Speaker, this is just my current staff. I have had many other great staffers over the years, but to try to name them all would take too long. Suffice it to say that I am grateful for their service as well. These are the best of the

best, and I know my colleagues join me in thanking them for their service and in wishing them well in their new endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Pushmataha County Historical Society in Antlers, Oklahoma, and in particular Myrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry.

As historical societies go, the Pushmataha County Historical Society is relatively new, having been founded in 1984. But the Society's staff and volunteers know their town, its history, its people, and their place firmly rooted in the heart of America.

My family hails from the Antlers, Oklahoma, area. When I was a young boy, I would travel by train, arriving and departing from the Frisco Depot, which now houses the Pushmataha County Historical Society. Myrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry were at the Society headquarters when my wife, Janice, and I stopped by on a recent trip and asked a few questions about my ancestors. Myrtle and Madge responded by enthusiastically researching everything they could find on the Gallegly and Williams family branches. Myrtle even wrote down, by hand, all their research in great detail and gave it to me.

In addition, Myrtle had previously served on the society's cemetery identification project and helped identify and inventory almost 12,000 burials and grave sites at approximately 119 locations. With that information, she was able to locate the gravesites of my grandparents and many other relatives.

The wealth of information Myrtle and Madge were able to provide on my family is even more impressive when one considers that the county courthouse burned during the Great Depression. Society volunteers have painstakingly rebuilt ancestral records from U.S. Census, newspapers, and other items in the historical record.

Mr. Speaker, Antlers, Oklahoma, is America. It has seen its share of hardship yet continues to bounce back. One of the most devastating tornadoes in the history of the state struck Antlers on April 12, 1945. Out of a population of 3,000, 55 were killed, including my uncle, Dennis Dixon Gallegly. One third of the city was demolished. The city has suffered devastating fires. Floods have washed away homes, but they can't wash away Antlers, or the spirit of its people.

Mr. Speaker, the pride Myrtle Edmond and Madge Jentry have in their community and in America was evidenced in their enthusiastic research of my family's roots. I know my colleagues join Janice and me in thanking them and all the Pushmataha County Historical Society volunteers for preserving and celebrating their part of our nation's history through dedication, passion, and professionalism. They are preserving the heart of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my family. As you and almost every Member of Congress knows, doing this job would be impossible without the love and support our families.

Twenty-seven years ago, my wife, Janice, agreed to support my first run for Congress. She agreed on three conditions: I would not put the family into debt. That I would never ask her to do public speaking. And, that she would never have to ask for campaign contributions.

Well before the primary was over, we were in debt. Janice was my surrogate speaker, and she was the best fundraiser anyone could have.

Because of her skills at public speaking and campaigning, we were quickly out of debt from my first run for Congress. For the next 26 years, she spearheaded my campaign and I never again had to borrow from the family. Janice stood by my side as I met with ambassadors, heads of state, and military families. She has been my rock.

Janice and my four children were young adults when I first entered Congress. They have married and given us 10 beautiful grandchildren. They have been my greatest champions.

Shawn Gallegly married Tea. They gave us two grandsons, Adrian and Lucas.

Shawn Payton married Angelique. They gave us a granddaughter, Savannah, and two grandsons, Tanner, and Landon.

Kevin Gallegly married Jennifer. They gave us three granddaughters, Emma, Bethie, and Sammie.

Shannon Payton Breslow married Scott. They gave us a grandson, Payton, and granddaughter, Presley.

Mr. Speaker, without the love and support of my family, I could not have served in this great institution for so long and represented my neighbors as effectively. I know my colleagues join me in thanking them for their love and support. I look forward to spending much more time with my wife, children, and grandchildren and in supporting them achieve their dreams.