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[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H5566-H5570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                   IN REMEMBRANCE OF APHIS EMPLOYEES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. de la Garza] is recognized for 
60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, we stand here today in memory of the 
seven employees of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, those that were tragically murdered 
in the bomb blast at the A.P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City 
on April 19, 1995. The explosion murdered scores of innocent children 
and adults, injured hundreds, shattered innumerable lives, and shook 
the soul of the Nation. We remember them all.
  But today we mention the 15 employees stationed in the building at 
the time of the explosion. By stroke of providence, five of the 
employees were not in the building at the time. Three of the employees 
left the building 
[[Page H5567]] alive. The remaining seven were killed in the explosion.
  Mr. Speaker, I personally feel some kinship with these APHIS 
employees. My father in his late years worked for APHIS. He was a 
proud, dedicated, loyal employee, as were these who worked in that 
building and the seven that we lost.
  Today the Department of Agriculture held a day of remembrance to 
honor the victims and survivors, continuing the tradition of planting 
trees to honor those we have lost. These employees were dedicated 
workers who have left a legacy of service to all citizens. They have 
one thing in common: They died serving their country.
  As APHIS employees, these men and women were on the front lines 
working in the heartland of America to improve agriculture productivity 
and to protect our public health. These employees were beloved by 
families and friends and cannot be replaced. I know all of us here 
today and people throughout the country and the world embrace their 
families and friends in their sorrow and join me in paying tribute to 
them.
  I hope that somehow the American people might learn and grow closer 
from this tragic incident. What we must learn is that the agenda of a 
small minority of anti-government terrorists is based on extremism and 
hatred and has no place in America. We must also learn respect for our 
Federal workers who are trying hard every day to make this government 
work.
  On April 22, the Washington Post printed an
   editorial entitled ``Federal Employees.'' I will include that for 
the Record, Mr. Speaker.

                           Federal Employees

       Some of them are still buried in the rubble. Some are 
     hospitalized, perhaps broken in body, if not in spirit, for 
     the rest of their lives. Others will be memorialized by the 
     nation tomorrow. They are part of the group of an estimated 
     550 women and men who earned their living in that federal 
     building in Oklahoma City. They are federal workers.
       The next time you are tempted to go off on the federal work 
     force, as if those employed inside federal office buildings 
     constitute nothing more than a financial threat to the 
     Republic, think of that gutted facility in Oklahoma City. But 
     don't stop there.
       Suspects in this country's worst bombing in 70 years are 
     now in custody. Credit a swiftly launched, massive round-the-
     clock investigation conducted by thousands of law-enforcement 
     agents and officers around the country--yet more federal 
     government workers of that nameless, faceless, much-denounced 
     variety. When you are tempted to indulge in easy, all-
     purpose, indiscriminate rhetoric about slow, cumbersome and 
     complacent federal bureaucrats caught up in an entitlement 
     mentality, think of the men and women in law-enforcement 
     agencies such as the FBI, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and 
     Secret Service who dropped everything to be part of the 
     manhunt. They, too, like their colleagues who were at work in 
     the devastated Oklahoma City building, are federal workers.
       The Oklahoma City bombing, as tragic as it is, is not the 
     first time federal employees have found themselves putting so 
     much on the line by mere reason of their association with the 
     U.S. government. Far away from the national spotlight, in 
     places as remote as Khartoum and Karachi, federal workers on 
     the front lines have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service 
     of their country. Women and men on the federal payroll in 
     those locations bear the title of Foreign Service officer, or 
     AID worker, or U.S. Embassy staff. But they pursue the same 
     basic mission that employees of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development, Social Security, the Food and Drug and the 
     General Services administrations and other federal agencies 
     in Oklahoma City are also about: They are trying to make 
     their government work. And most work long and hard to make 
     that happen.
       So the next time you feel yourself about to deliver 
     categorical thoughts about federal workers not having to work 
     for a bottom line and getting caught up in process rather 
     than results and all the other easy words of generalized 
     contempt that serve to undermine respect for the work these 
     famously ``faceless'' workers actually perform, consider the 
     possibility that they are good people who not only work hard 
     but also are committed to the work they perform in our 
     behalf. That is why so many of them were where they were when 
     evil visited them Wednesday morning in Oklahoma City. It's 
     worth remembering.

  Mr. Speaker, what brought us closer was that these are good people, 
who not only work hard, but also are committed to the work they perform 
in our behalf. That is why so many of them worked where they work when 
evil visited them that Wednesday morning in Oklahoma City.
  It is worth remembering. I hope in tribute to them, all of us, the 
Nation, have respect, the proper admiration for those. I know it is 
very easy to say bureaucrat or say Federal employee sometimes in a 
negative, derogatory way. But, Mr. Speaker, these seven died serving 
their country and serving us.
  I yield to my distinguished colleague from Oklahoma who represents 
that district.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday morning, April 19, at 2 minutes 
after 9 o'clock, America's heartland lost its innocence. The bombing of 
the Alfred P. Murrah Building in downtown Oklahoma City was a cowardly 
act of tragic proportions, with no justification. I, like you and the 
Nation as a whole, will never forget the scene or the devastation, the 
death, the suffering, and, most of all, the innocence of the victims.
  I cannot begin to express the heartbreak and sense of helplessness 
one feels when faced with such a gruesome scene. As each day has passed 
since this crime, the spirit, courage, resourcefulness that exemplifies 
our great Nation has been displayed. Our outrage, while still in mind, 
has been superseded by charity, kindness, prayer and healing.
  This evening, I join with heavy heart the distinguished chairman of 
the Committee on Agriculture, Mr. Roberts, and the equally 
distinguished ranking member of the committee, Mr. de la Garza, to 
memorialize the employees of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service who lost their lives in this bombing. While the building 
resided in my district, a number of these good folks were my 
constituents.
  With that, I would like to thank my colleagues for organizing this 
special order this evening.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my distinguished colleague, 
the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Mr. Roberts.
  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to, as has been said, honor the memory of 
the men and women and children who lost their lives in the Oklahoma 
City bombing. Among killed, as has been said, were the seven employees 
of the Department of Agriculture agency called the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service. It is commonly known by its acronym as 
APHIS. As chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, along with 
the committee's distinguished ranking member, Mr. de la Garza and the 
gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Lucas, and other members of the committee 
and Members of the Oklahoma delegation, we gather here this evening to 
pay a special tribute to these seven employees and the families and 
friends that they leave behind.
  Mr. Speaker, the decision to take this special order came from many 
members of the House Committee on Agriculture who wanted to pay their 
respects. As chairman of the committee, I wish to pay, however, a 
special tribute to a long-time employee of the Department of 
Agriculture, Mr. Carl Barnes, who was the Personnel Director for the 
department under Secretary of Agriculture Mr. Orville Freeman. Mr. 
Barnes served under several Presidents and continues to be an example 
and champion of public service. He also just happens to be a good 
neighbor and brought to my attention the article by Steve Twomey in the
 Washington Post entitled ``They walk, they talk, and they bleed.'' Mr. 
Twomey wrote his column following the tragedy in Oklahoma City, and I 
think it is fitting and appropriate that this article be brought to the 
attention of our colleagues and to everyone concerned, as it has been 
all too easy when people are unhappy with the way that our government 
works, or does not work, that we point a finger of blame at the hard 
working men and women who makeup our Federal work force.

  Excerpts from his article include, ``To get there, you march down a 
long, gloomy, marble corridor, devoid of human touches. Doors slip by 
at an exact spacing and interval. Nothing distinguishes one office from 
the next, except small signs identifying the occupants and their 
titles. Yes, this fits. Cold is how the bureaucracy is supposed to 
look. It is tempting to imagine Federal gnomes in here dreaming up 
costly regulations, wasting forms in triplicate, and funding cost-plus 
contracts with your money, because that is what you imagine the Federal 
workers do. Your escort, and yes, while security is tight, walks you to 
room 312- [[Page H5568]] E, which is to say the third floor east of the 
administration building, the United States Department of Agriculture. 
It is an older but attractive building along the Mall that exudes 
government formality right down to the flower beds on Jefferson Drive.
  What a sign hanging outside 312E: Administrator, Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service. You think it even sounds make-work. ``60 
Minutes'' would love this office, which, naturally, has a government 
acronym, APHIS, pronounced A-fus.
  You enter, and from an inner room emerges not a bureaucrat, not a GS-
level, not an anonymous cog in the federal machine, but a human, who 
has a name and, at the moment, feelings so overwhelming you hesitate to 
ask about them.
  Lonnie King, in dark suit and white shirt, a man of average build 
with graying hair but a youthful and pleasant face, has
 served APHIS for 17 of his 51 years, rising to acting administrator.

  ``Here's a ribbon,'' he says, ``from Oklahoma City.''
  He tosses a purple one on the table in front of you. He carried it 
home Sunday, after the memorial service. Does the public know what 
APHIS does? What the seven did?
  ``No,'' King says. ``No.''
  The 6,500 people who work for him can be found in every state and 
even overseas. The federal budget says they ``protect the animal and 
plant resources of the nation from destructive pests and diseases.'' 
They help farmers, monitor imports, do research. What that means for 
you is better, more abundant and cheaper food on the table, be it at 
home or in a restaurant. Before that Wednesday, King certainly knew 
that the reputation of The Federal Employee wasn't what it used to be.
  ``We're not immune to the press and the TV,'' he says. Comedians, 
journalists and talk-show hosts have made mincemeat of the type, 
calling them wasteful, incompetent, dangerous. King took the contempt 
personally, because it clashed with his view, which was that he was 
surrounded by people who cared, who showed up every day, not for the 
paycheck, not to waste, but to serve.
  ``Who thinks of us in those terms?'' he says, ``Is it that bad, that 
we're so hated? Could it happen here? Am I safe?''
  In a way, the bombing also was an attack on this region, the capital 
region, on the 360,004 civilians here who do Uncle Sam's tasks. We 
often forget that they got those tasks from us, through Congress. It is 
we who have told them to provide clean air and water, stop the flow of 
drugs, help farmers, process Social
 Security checks, promote trade, protect workers and much more.

  Do they perform flawlessly? Of course not. Who does?
  The irony of the bombing, King says, is that the perpetrator 
benefited every day from what APHIS does, every time he ate. ``He was 
probably degrading the government with his mouth full,'' King says, 
``and dumb enough not to understand.''
  Yes, Linnie King is angry.
  ``I'm not blaming anybody,'' King says, ``but I hope people will stop 
and think and ask themselves about what's being said.''
  He leaves you with this.
  Monday morning, with seven of their colleagues still buried in the 
rubble, two of three APHIS workers who survived went back to work in 
temporary offices.
  Mr. Speaker, today special ceremonies were held by the Department in 
behalf of the service deceased employees. In keeping with these 
ceremonies, it is our privilege to honor each individual with a brief 
tribute.
  Olen Bloomer is survived by his adult daughters, Maureen Bloomer and 
Lucretia Bjorklund; his son, Lee Switzer; four grandchildren, Amelia, 
Heather, Jeff, and Sara; and one great granddaughter, Dillon Ann. His 
memory will be cherished by seven siblings--Ester Willis, Elwanda 
McComas, Merle Easter, Erdene Jones, Doyle Blommer, Dean Bloomer, and 
Dennis Blommer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Norma 
Jean, who passed away in 1990.
  Olen was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, in 1933, and spent his youth 
working on his father's cotton farm near the Beckham-Washita county 
line. A few years after graduating from Highway High School, Olen 
joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served in a number of locations, 
including Thailand. His work in the Air Force focused on purchasing and 
inventory management. He retired in 1974 after 20 years of service.
  Olen went back to work for the Federal government in 1977, this time 
for APHIS. Olen began this second career at the screwworm rearing lab 
in Mission, Texas. He was subsequently reassigned to Salt Lake City, 
Utah, where he worked for 5 years as an administrative assistant. He 
was serving as the budget assistant for Oklahoma at the time of his 
death.
  Olen labored to keep the agency's budget trim and in order and was 
admired by the staff he supported for his ability to stay cool under 
pressure and cut through the bureaucratic red tape when emergencies 
struck. He was always willing to help and volunteered ably at 
troubleshooting computer problems. His grandchildren called him ``Big 
Dad,'' not only out of deference to his 6-foot, 6-inch stature, but to 
distinguish him from their fathers. He was a true gentle giant and will 
be sorely missed by many.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my distinguished colleague 
the gentleman from Oklahoma.
  Mr. LUCAS. Jim Boles is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, 
Jennifer, his 8-year-old son, James Michael, and adult son, Stephen, 
and his family in Mississippi.
  Jim was born in Quitman, Mississippi. He attended Lake High School in 
Lake, MS and graduated in 1964. He entered the U.S. Army in 1964 and 
served as the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the 793rd military 
police battalion, a small M.P. detachment, in Bayreuth, West Germany. 
Upon leaving the U.S. Army in 1968, Jim managed an oil station and 
served as accounting clerk for State Beverage Company, both in Jackson, 
MS.
  In 1970, Jim joined APHIS where he worked for the next 25 years. 
During his tenure with APHIS, he made many friends throughout the 
Department and lived in Mississippi, Florida, Maryland, and finally, 
Oklahoma. Jim met his wife Jennifer through APHIS.
  As administrative officer for APHIS' Veterinary Services office in 
Oklahoma City, Jim helped develop new and better ways of conducting the 
various administrative functions Government agencies must carry out. 
His progressive ideas paved the way for innovative resource--and 
responsibility--sharing with sister branches that saved the Government 
both time and money.
  Above and beyond his on-the-job duties, he will be remembered for 
encouraging, guiding and helping develop his coworkers' career goals. 
But his foremost concern was the well-being of his colleagues as 
people. He was careful to recognize fellow employees for their 
accomplishments and service to the community and agency. We all will 
miss his smile, sense of humor, and dedication.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, Margaret Louis Clark was known by her 
many friends and colleagues as Peggy. She is survived by her loving 
husband, David Spencer, three daughters, Rosslyn 16, Margaret Blayne 
13, and Chelsea 6, her mother Mary Spurlin, and sister, Susan 
Winchester. Peggy was 42.
  A native of Chichasha, OK, Peggy attended Star Spencer High School in 
Oklahoma City. Her academic achievements were all made at Oklahoma 
State University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in 
agriculture in 1976, and a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree in 
1978. After completing her studies, Peggy began veterinary private 
practice placing special emphasis on the equine industry.
  In 1981, Peggy worked for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture as a 
staff veterinarian and coordinated Federal/State disease control 
programs. In 1985, she moved over to the State of Oklahoma's Horse 
Racing Commission. As the official veterinarian, she performed pre- and 
post-race examinations. Peggy joined APHIS in 1994 as part of a Federal 
training program called the Public Veterinary Practice Career Program. 
Her assignment to the Oklahoma City office as a Veterinary medical 
officer was part of that developmental training.
  Outside of the office, Peggy was very involved in the lives of her 
children [[Page H5569]] and was active in horse shows, livestock shows, 
and soccer. She was an active and popular member of the Oklahoma 
Veterinary Medical Association, and helped run her family's horse 
breeding operation. Peggy was appointed by the Governor to serve a 6-
year term on the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 
where she served as secretary. Although she was the newest member of 
the Veterinary Service staff in Oklahoma City, Peggy's outgoing 
personality, willingness to help, and professional competence made her 
a most welcome addition.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished chairman of the committee.
  Mr. ROBERTS. Richard Leroy Cummins' memory will be cherished by a 
large and loving family, including his wife of 30 years, Frances; his 
daughters, Courtney and Nikki; his son, Kraig; grandsons Chayse and 
Austin; his mother, Christine; his two brothers, Wall, of Tucson, AZ, 
and Frank of Ruidosa, NM; and many friends and coworkers.
  Dick was born in Douglas, AZ, in 1940. He spent his youth in and 
around Douglas and graduated from Douglas High School in 1957. He then 
attended Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ, where he pursued 
studies in business administration.
  Dick's notable career as a public servant began with the U.S. Air 
Force in 1959, where he worked in aircraft maintenance in Colorado and 
Oklahoma for 4 years. Upon leaving the Air Force, he worked for the 
Southern Pacific Railroad for 2 years.
  In 1965, Dick joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where his 
professional contributions were welcomed for 30 years. He first worked 
with the Agricultural Research Service on the screwworm eradication 
program in Douglas, AZ. In 1980, he moved to Henryetta, OK, and become 
Animal Health Technician. A short time later he moved to Durant, OK, 
where he served in the same capacity. Dick was promoted to investigator 
in 1987 and reassigned to Oklahoma City to work with the Regulatory 
Enforcement and Animal Care staff. In this position, Dick was 
responsible for ensuring that animal breeders, dealers, and exhibitors 
comply with the standards of humane care and treatment prescribed in 
the Animal Welfare Act. Dick moved again to Mustang, OK, where he 
continued to work as an investigator working out of his home. He was a 
senior investigator at the time of his death.
  Dick received well-deserved recognition in 1990 for his work on the 
Midwest Stolen Dog Task Force. His diligence helped curb the theft of 
pets for sale to research institutions. Dick was a devoted family man, 
animal lover and advocated human treatment of all living things.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma 
[Mr. Lucas].
  Mr. LUCAS. Known by her many admiring friends and relatives as Adele, 
Doris Adele Higgenbottom is survived by her loving husband, David; his 
children, Kelly and Van; her mother, Melanie; and the Maddox family. 
She was 44.
  Adele was born in Pecos, TX, and graduated from Pecos High School in 
1968. Several years later, Adele resumed her studies at the University 
of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree 
in English in 1982.
  Adele began her Federal career with APHIS as a clerk/typist in 
Oklahoma City in 1978. A few years later, she transferred to the 
Federal Aviation Administration where she served as a purchasing agent. 
In 1980, she resigned from the FAA and went to San Antonio, TX, to 
spend a few months with her family. While there, she worked as an 
advertising salesperson for the San Antonio Express and News. She 
rejoined APHIS in Oklahoma City in late 1980 as she mastered the often 
complicating purchasing regulations.
  Adele was popular in the Oklahoma City office, as much for her 
positive outlook as her animated personality. Adele served as manager 
of the Federal Women's Program and was an ardent supporter of equality 
and women's rights. Adele and her husband, David, met in 1989 through 
David's work with the State Department of Agriculture.
  Adele was heard to say she was happy to be married to someone with 
whom she could share so much of her professional life and who cared 
about the same people and issues she did. David and Adele considered 
themselves a happy and compatible team whose personalities and 
interests complemented each other well.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Carole Sue Khalil is survived by her daughter, 
Heather, and many loving relatives and friends. She was 50.
  Carole was born in Shattuck, OK, and attended Laverne High School in 
Laverne, OK. She graduated in 1962. Following graduation, she attended 
the Draughons School of Business in Oklahoma City for 1 year where she 
completed an executive secretarial course. Already she had big plans to 
serve her country and the civic good as a public servant.
  Carole began a lifelong commitment to the U.S. Government in 1964 
when she took the first of several temporary positions in the clerical 
field with the Internal Revenue Service in Oklahoma City. Her career 
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture began with the Agriculture 
Research Service's Animal Health Division in 1967. In this position, 
which was based in Oklahoma City, Carole provided clerical support to a 
variety of animal disease eradication programs.
  Carole was promoted to export document examiner in 1992. In this 
position, she provided critical review of documents used to clarify the 
health of all animals exported from Oklahoma to other countries. Her 
eye for detail and ability to catch even minute errors were among the 
reasons she was a valuable contributor to the staff.
  Carole also took care of many routine personnel functions, such as 
time and attendance reports, training nominations, personnel reports 
and benefit actions. She was an able and dedicated employee whose 
contributions were appreciated by everyone with whom she worked.

                              {time}  2045

  I yield to my chairman, the gentleman from Kansas [Mr. Roberts].
  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. Speaker, Rheta Long is survived by a large and 
loving family, including her daughter, Valerie Tramel; son, John; 
sisters, Wilda York and Leona Thompson; and grandsons, Kenneth and 
Christopher Tramel, and Nicholas Long. Rheta was preceded in death by 
her husband of 11 years, Thomas; her brothers Earl and Andrew Dean 
Bender; father, Andrew Bender; and grandson, John Thomas. Rheta was 60.
  Rheta was born in Guymon, OK. She attended Guymon High School and 
graduated in 1952. Afterwards, she attended Panhandle State College and 
Phillips University to study education. She earned a bachelor of 
science degree in education in 1955.
  Rheta was married in the summer of 1955 and dedicated herself to her 
family and church. She was an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts and 
Girl Scouts of America. In 1968, Rheta began teaching mathematics in 
Guymon and found the experience rewarding. She said it was a pleasure 
to show children that school and learning could be fun.
  Rheta began her 20-year Federal career in 1974 as a military 
personnel clerk with the U.S. Army. In 1978, Rheta transferred to the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Guymon, OK, to take a clerical 
position. Rheta came to APHIS in Oklahoma City in October 1982, where 
she served as a program clerk. She handled workers' compensation 
claims, and was the final authority on payment eligibility for 
indemnity claims. She was very active in the Federal Employees Women's 
Group and Equal Employment Opportunities Committees. Rheta had a vision 
disability and she served as the Persons with Disabilities Special 
Emphasis Program Manager as a means of helping educate people about the 
challenges of working with a physical handicap.
  Rheta was active with the Christian Women's Foundation and looked 
forward to the Jewel Box Theater's seasonal plays. A devoted 
grandmother, Rheta was very proud of her grandchildren and kept 
snapshots of them at her desk. Her dedication, cheerful attitude, and 
many contributions to the effectiveness of the office helped many of 
her coworkers in their time of need. She will be greatly missed by all.
  Mr. Speaker, the members of the Committee on Agriculture, the chair 
of [[Page H5570]] the Committee on Agriculture, the distinguished 
chairman emeritus of the Committee on Agriculture, and the gentleman 
from Oklahoma, [Mr. Lucas], share in the sense of personal loss and 
share in the sense of personal pride regarding the contribution of 
these employees. Perhaps an appropriate closing is this from Helen 
Steiner Rice.

     When I must leave you for a little while,
     Please go on bravely with a gallant smile
     And for my sake and in my name,
     Live on and do all things the same--
     Spend not your life in empty days,
     But fill each waking hour in useful ways--
     Reach out your hand in comfort and cheer,
     And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near.

  Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman from Texas for 
taking this special time.
  Mr. de la GARZA. I thank my distinguished colleague.
  Mr. Speaker, if I might add a personal note, we notice that Mr. 
Bloomer served at the screwworm eradication plant in Mission, TX, the 
years when my father worked there, so I feel certain that they knew 
each other in those days and they have already found each other up 
there and they are talking about the good old days at the plant in 
Mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my two colleagues. The seven that we lost not 
only belonged to APHIS, to USDA, they belonged to our Nation and they 
belong now to all of us. May they rest in peace.

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