The publication is reproduced in full below:
THANKING CHARLENE BEST FOR HER SERVICE TO THE HOUSE
______
HON. STENY H. HOYER
of maryland
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank my constituent, Charlene Best, for nineteen years of outstanding service to the United States House of Representatives. She retired on June 3 from her role as Manager with the Asset Management Department of Logistics and Support.
Charlene has had a very distinguished career prior to her House employment. In high school and into college, she worked with the Department of the Navy. After her graduation in 1995, she went to work for the National Science Foundation as an Administrative Assistant, followed by a stint with the Census Bureau from 1999 to 2000. Later, she worked as an Executive Assistant for Booz, Allen, Hamilton.
Charlene had long wished to be a House employee and began interviewing in 2002, earning a position as a Special Assistant for the Office of the CAO in the Office Systems Management. She quickly moved through the ranks and became a Supervisor and, eventually, Manager with First Call from 2007 through 2015, before moving up to her current position. Charlene also served as a Move Coordinator during the many Congressional Transitions and brought her special talents and expertise to Members of Congress and their staffs.
When asked about the highlights of her career, Charlene has said how much she appreciated the mentorship of her boss, Tom Coyne, Chief Logistics Officer, and she credits him with helping her to grow professionally. She has also cited one of her first supervisors, Carol Nichols, as someone who saw potential in her and invested time and energy to help her advance in her career.
One notable contribution that Charlene made to the House was her participation in the lying-in-state of Rosa Parks, for which she earned Congressional recognition. She remembers this event with sober reflection. In addition, one of the most cherished memories from her House career was being present in the Capitol for the first inauguration of President Barack Obama. While relaying the story to my staff, she recalled being in the hallway of the Capitol on the path leading out to the inaugural stage, when President-Elect Obama walked within ten feet of where she was standing and gave her a friendly wink prior to stepping out onto the stage. She loves to tell this story to demonstrate the great honors she has felt working for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Charlene, like so many House employees, had been teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she said that she felt lucky to have spent some `home time' with her daughter Jordyn, a graduating senior. It was a welcome opportunity to spend quality time with Jordyn before she heads off to college in the fall. In retirement, Charlene is looking forward to enjoying more time spent with her family and pursuing other opportunities.
I hope all of my colleagues will join me in extending our congratulations to Charlene Best for her many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to this House. I wish her many wonderful and fulfilling years in retirement.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 108
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