The publication is reproduced in full below:
PAYING TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER, CATHERINE PETTY
______
HON. GARRET GRAVES
of louisiana
in the house of representatives
Friday, August 19, 2022
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I want to pay tribute and recognize a distinguished member of Congressional staff, Catherine Petty.
With the loss of our friend, the late Dean of the House Congressman Don Young, there is presently no member seated from the great state of Alaska who may rise and recognize members of his staff within this body--even as they continue to serve our nation's largest Congressional district. Therefore, it is my distinct honor today to recognize Catherine Petty, and to thank her for her years of service.
Catherine Petty grew up in Boston, Massachusetts where she acquired an accent that she proudly never fully outgrew. She joined the United States Air Force in 1971 which stationed her in Germany twice, Iceland twice, North Dakota, Texas, and New Mexico. In 1983 she left the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in order to devote additional time to her young family. She next went to work for the Department of Defense, then as a civilian employee of the Air Force. Catherine Petty arrived in Alaska at 5:00 p.m. on October 5, 1990, at what was then Elmendorf Air Force Base. She continued in federal civilian service until she was urged by a friend to apply for a position with Alaska's lone member of Congress--the legendary Don Young--who she admitted at the time she knew very little about. However, as fate would have it, Catherine applied and got the job--starting on June 15, 2006 in his Anchorage district office amidst a tumultuous election cycle.
Catherine Petty's talents and leadership qualities were quickly recognized by Congressman Young. In 2007 he promoted her to be his Deputy State Director. On a personal level, Catherine became especially close with Rep. Young's wife, Mrs. Lu Young, until her passing in August of 2009.
Mrs. Petty continued to faithfully serve Congressman Young as his Deputy State Director with great distinction. Her Congressional casework accomplishments include personally completing a remarkable tally of over 7,000 constituent cases. It is no wonder that Alaskans continued to return Congressman Young to the House for a record 25 terms--with such effective public servants like Mrs. Petty on his team.
Madam Speaker, Mrs. Petty's service in the office of Congressman Don Young and to the Office of Alaska At-Large epitomizes what it means to be an effective caseworker, capable public servant, and loyal staffer. She has mentored her fellow staff, gained the admiration of colleagues across agencies, and earned the gratitude of countless constituents. Some of Mrs. Petty's most memorable successes include aiding constituents faced with urgent needs such as passports and visas, assisting Alaskan families as they navigated naturalization, and helping servicemembers overcome bureaucratic hurdles in order to receive the benefits they have earned.
Mrs. Petty's lengthy career of service which spans 50 years, including in the Armed Services, as a civilian federal employee, and as staff with the United States House of Representatives, proves that Mrs. Petty's values and work ethic are deeply held. Some of those values and work ethic could be witnessed by anyone brave enough to show up to the office before 7:00 a.m., or unwise enough to shirk a task they had promised to complete. Though never a slouch, Mrs. Petty has always been known to be a fan of a good office prank. Her good nature and humor will be missed by her colleagues, who all wish her the very best as she looks forward to her upcoming retirement.
Catherine Petty served Congressman Young and the House of Representatives for 16 years. On behalf of the institution she has so well served, all of the constituents in Alaska she has helped in the name of the boss over the years, and as a former Congressman Don Young staffer myself, I say thank you to Catherine for a job well done and may God bless her.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 137(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 137(2)
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.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up