May 1, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 71 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H3347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING RALPH VANNI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my 
friend Ralph Vanni, the senior House audio technician who retired 
earlier this month.
  For 34 years, Ralph has been the man behind this microphone and every 
microphone in this Chamber. When he took his job as the House 
technician in 1985, Ralph was no stranger to Capitol Hill. At the age 
of 16, he landed an internship with the then-Senate majority leader.
  After two more internships and graduating college, Ralph had a hand 
in nearly every corner of the Capitol building, from doorkeeper for the 
Sergeant at Arms to working in the Senate Cloakroom.
  In his most recent role, Ralph saw six Presidents give their State of 
the Union speeches, but the day he has said he will never forget is 
running audio from that perch right up there for Pope Francis' address 
to this Chamber in 2015.
  I remember meeting Ralph on my first day as a newly elected Member of 
Congress during orientation in 2013. With the Speaker's permission, we 
could take photos on the House floor that day, and I took a minute to 
take one with Ralph and some of his team and the many folks who do a 
wonderful job guarding this Chamber every day.
  Ralph became my friend that day and has been my friend for the last 
6\1/2\ years I have had the chance to serve in this great institution. 
I wish him the best in his retirement. And I want to thank him 
personally, on behalf of every Member of Congress who stands behind any 
microphone in this institution.
  Ralph made us sound better, and we appreciate him for doing that. I 
wish him good luck in his retirement and thank him for all his years of 
service.
  I am going to miss Ralph, looking up in that perch, but I am going to 
get to know the folks who have replaced him so well. He has led a great 
generation into that seat to replace him now.
  I thank Ralph Vanni.

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