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“ON THE RETIREMENT OF DAVE LAUGHTER” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E3051 on Dec. 17, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ON THE RETIREMENT OF DAVE LAUGHTER
______
HON. BART GORDON
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of a valued staff member of the House Committee on Science and Technology, David Laughter, on his retirement.
Dave has served as Financial Administrator for the Committee since 2001. He has been on the Hill since 1994, working for the House Committee on Ways and Means and Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana. Before coming to the Hill, he served as the Deputy Administrator for Management and Policy Support for the United States Department of Agriculture, USD; Rural Electrification Administration, REA; and as the Vice President/General Manager for an OEM manufacturer supplying large sheet metal stamping dies and special machinery to domestic and transplant auto assembly plants in North America.
Dave received his B.A. in Economics from Hillsdale College in Michigan. He is from Dayton, and, as a native Ohioan, he has a special place in his heart for the Bengals, the Reds, and Skyline Chili.
Madam Speaker, Dave is the first person new employees meet on their first day, and the last person they see when they are leaving on their last day. Dave handles all the Committee staff benefits and payroll, he maintains our budget to ensure we're on track, and he makes sure that all our bills get paid. Dave has provided a steady hand on the Committee's financial tiller for these past 8 years, and I want him to know how much I appreciate his hard work.
I know Dave has wrestled with this decision, and while I don't expect him to turn into a ``Nature Boy,'' I'm sure he's looking forward to having a little more time to pursue his other hobbies and interests.
I know that all of the Science and Technology Committee's members and staff wish him well. He'll have more time to spend with his lovely wife, Marsha, his children, Carrie, David, and Brittany, his grandchildren Peter and Meredith, and his other family and friends. We hope Dave enjoys a relaxing retirement filled with fishing, grilling, and listening to classic rock.
Dave, thank you again for your years of service.
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