April 17, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 73 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JENNIFER HOLMES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 17, 2020

  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Holmes, a 
member of the professional staff of the House Appropriations Committee, 
who is retiring after 28 years of service to the Legislative Branch.
  Jenny began her Federal career in 1986 working for the U.S. 
Government Accounting Office. Soon after, in 1989, she started her long 
tenure working for the House Appropriations Committee, first as staff 
of the Treasury-Postal Service and Defense Appropriations 
Subcommittees.
  After leaving the Hill briefly to work in the private sector, Jenny 
returned to the House Appropriations Committee in 2005. In 2007, Jenny 
became professional staff for the Legislative Branch Appropriations 
Subcommittee where she was instrumental to the operations of Congress. 
In response to two tragic events that affected our colleagues in the 
House of Representatives, the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle 
Giffords and the shooting at the Congressional baseball game practice, 
Jenny worked tirelessly to ensure that resources were focused beyond 
just the few square blocks that make up the Capitol grounds.
  Jenny advocated for infrastructure projects that will make the 
Nation's Capital, specifically the U.S. Capitol grounds, accessible for 
years to come. Jenny was involved in many important projects, such as 
the restoration of the Capitol dome, improvements to the Capitol power 
plant, billion-dollar renovations of the Cannon House Office Building, 
the Library of Congress's Visitor Experience initiative and so many 
more. Jenny and her colleagues on the committee staff oversaw many of 
these projects from start to finish, and she should be very proud of 
her accomplishments.
  Jenny was known to cheerfully volunteer to coordinate retirement 
ceremonies, portrait dedications, and other social events for the 
Appropriations Committee. Jenny also demonstrated her leadership and 
compassion by pulling together Appropriations Committee staff, Members, 
and external stakeholders for a very meaningful celebration of life 
event in honor of Chuck Turner, a long-time Committee staff member who 
was a dear friend and mentor to many.
  A hallmark of Jenny's reputation was being a problem solver. She 
dedicated so much of her life to public service and never forgot why 
she was here. I know Jenny is looking forward to spending time with her 
husband Paul. her sons Kevin and Caiden, her daughter Karley, and her 
horses. We wish her the very best in her next journey and thank her for 
everything she has done for the United States Congress.

                          ____________________