The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THANKING BERNARD E. BEIDEL FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE HOUSE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E145-E146 on Feb. 6, 2017.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THANKING BERNARD E. BEIDEL FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE HOUSE
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HON. GREGG HARPER
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 6, 2017
Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and thank Mr. Bernard E. Beidel for his dedicated and unwavering support to the United States House of Representatives.
This month, Bern celebrates his twenty-sixth year of service to this great legislative body. For his entire time with this institution Bern has served as the Director of the Office of Employee Assistance (OEA).
Through his leadership and direction, Bern's office delivers comprehensive confidential assistance covering an array of personal and work-related issues that have the potential to impact an employee's performance, productivity and well-being.
The idea to create the Office of Employee Assistance in the House of Representatives was rooted in the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. This monumental legislation authorized Employee Assistance grant programs in the U.S. Department of Labor.
In February 1991, the Clerk of the House, Donnald K. Anderson, hired Bern to serve as the Director of OEA. Immediately upon assuming this mantle, Bern began to build one of the most recognized and respected employee assistance programs in our Nation. In 1995, OEA was transferred to the Chief Administrative Officer, where it resides today.
Over the course of his tenure with the House, Bern and his team have had a lasting impact on individual employees within Member offices and Committees. In addition, his team serves employees who work for the House Officers, the Congressional Budget Office, and the USCP. The confidential nature of OEA's services demand an individual who possesses integrity, character, and trust. Bern exemplifies the qualities and characteristics of his profession. But it is truly Bern's personality that serves as a beacon for all who know him.
Mr. Speaker, based on the kindness, compassion and love that Bern has for his work and the House of Representatives, it is no surprise that I am not the first Member of Congress to honor him with a statement for the Congressional Record.
First, on December 18, 2001, Bern and OEA were recognized when they received the EAP Excellence award which is jointly offered by the EAP Digest and Employee Assistance Professionals Association.
Then, on December 11, 2013, my friend and former colleague Congresswoman Candice Miller also had the distinct pleasure of recognizing Bern as the recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award issued by the Employee Assistance Professionals Association
(EAPA). This illustrious award is given to an EAPA member who has made significant contributions to the employee assistance profession. In addition to this accolade, Bern was also the recipient of the EAPA Member of the Year in 2002.
Prior to his time in the House of Representatives, Bern served as a drug specialist in the United States Coast Guard, where he had the opportunity to hone his acute understanding of employee assistance. He continued his career in public service with the New Jersey State Police where he established the organization's employee assistance program.
Based on his background with the New Jersey State Police, it is no surprise that Bern was instrumental in establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Capitol Police in 2000. Because of this important agreement, the men and women who guard our campus have access to the outstanding services provided by the CAO's Office of Employee Assistance.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored and humbled to stand before you and recognize Bern for his outstanding contributions and overall impact to the House of Representatives. I also want to thank his current staff Lisbeth McBride, Jennifer Lavan, Paul Tewksbury, Margot Hawkins-Green and all of the other staff members who have served under Bern's tutelage during the past quarter century.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge Bern's family. As you know, public service is an honorable and noble calling requiring great sacrifices to our time. Therefore, I would like to thank Bern's family, including his wife Donna, their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren Jessica and Mather Hinders (Lily and Emmett) and Cynthia and Jonn Aitken (Alexander) for their generous devotion, unwavering support, and unconditional love.
Mr. Speaker, this legislative body and our grateful Nation owe Bern and his entire family a debt of gratitude.
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