Recognition of Employees of the Officers and the Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives Who Have Reached 25 Years of Service to the House and the Recipients of the House Employee Excellence Award and the Officers' and Inspector General's Team Player Award

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Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, Ranking Member Rodney Davis and I wish to recognize today a special group of dedicated and exceptional employees of the Officers (Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer) and of the Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives, and congratulate those who have reached the milestone of 25 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the recipients of the House Employee Excellence Award and the Officers' and Inspector General's Team Player Award.

The House's most important asset is its remarkable and steadfast employees, whose work is essential to keeping the operations and services of the House running efficiently and effectively. The employees we acknowledge today are distinguished by their hard work, dedication, professionalism, and teamwork; support of House Members, their staffs and constituents, and for their daily contributions to the overall operations of the House. These employees, whose work is often performed behind the scenes, possess an extensive range of responsibilities and skills that support the legislative process, ensure the security of this great institution, maintain our technology and service infrastructure, and contribute to more efficient and productive House support operations. These devoted employees have accomplished many important things across a diverse range of activities, and the House of Representatives, its Members, staff, and the American public is better served because of them.

We recognize and honor the individuals named below for 25 years of loyal service to the House. Collectively, the employees listed below represent 200 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Teresa Austin, Office of the Clerk; Donald Berger, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Susan Cole, Office of the Clerk; Andrew Elias, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Joe Novotny, Office of the Clerk; Melissia Oulahyane, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Michael Thames, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Kenneth Wenzel, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

We also recognize and congratulate the House employees receiving the House Employee Excellence Award. This is a merit-based award, given to one employee from each of the House Officers' and Inspector General's organizations. Selected employees exhibited outstanding overall job performance and displayed a willingness to go above and beyond the requirements of their job for their organization throughout the last year. We honor the individuals named below for receiving this prestigious award.

Jyothi Katikanani, Office of the Clerk; Susan Kozubski, Office of Inspector General; Ryan Moran, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Brandon Spriggs, Office of the Sergeant at Arms.

And finally, we recognize and congratulate the House employees being presented the Team Player Award. This award recognizes the value the House Officers and Inspector General place on working collaboratively across all House organizations to strengthen and protect the institution of the U.S. House of Representatives. On a rotating basis, the Officers and Inspector General take turns nominating a member of another organization's staff who has exhibited the characteristics of a Team Player. These awardees have demonstrated a collaborative attitude, commitment to achieving team objectives, respect and support of their teammates, and dedication to the betterment of House operations. We honor the individuals named below for receiving this distinguished award.

Omar Awan, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Kevin McCumber, Office of the Clerk; Saad Patel, Office of Inspector General; Emily Scanlon, Office of the Sergeant at Arms.

On behalf of the entire House community, I want to once again congratulate, acknowledge, and thank these employees for their professionalism and commitment to the U.S. House of Representatives as a whole, and in particular to their respective House Officer, the Inspector General, and collaboratively across these organizations. Their long hours, hard work, diverse skills, and team spirit are invaluable, and their years of unwavering service and dedication to the House set an example for their colleagues and raises the bar for the employees who will follow in their footsteps. I applaud all our honorees, and I am proud to stand before you and our great nation on their behalf to recognize the importance of their public service.

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