[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)] [House] [Pages H8904-H8905] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] A TRIBUTE TO PHYLLIS CAUSEY The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) for 5 minutes. Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great friend and a remarkable Kentuckian, Mrs. Phyllis Causey. In January, after 39 years of honorable and selfless public service, she will retire. Her Lewisburg High School yearbook in 1968 contained a prophecy for her, saying, ``Phyllis will be in President Nixon's Cabinet in 10 years.'' And although President Nixon resigned while she was at basic training for the Army Reserve in '74 and she never did make it to the White House, lucky for us, she still decided to follow her passion for politics and public service. Phyllis graduated from Hopkinsville Community College in 1970 and received her bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University in 1972. Upon her graduation, Phyllis worked for WKU for the following 23 years. In 1995, she was hired as a field representative for Congressman Ron Lewis. And when I was elected to replace Congressman Lewis upon his retirement, Phyllis was kind enough to continue working for me. While traveling as a candidate for Congress, I met so many individuals whose first question to me was, Are you going to keep Phyllis if you are elected? Their question was a testament to Phyllis' compassion, hard work, and dedication to the individuals in the counties she served. She was and still is irreplaceable. Phyllis grew up on a farm in Logan County, where her parents taught her the value of hard work and the importance of giving and caring for others. And throughout the nearly 20 years I have known Phyllis, she has exemplified these values every day. She has been such an inspiration to me, and she has always been devoted to the causes she believes in--church, family, and friends. Phyllis is an incredible wife, daughter, sister, and mother. I know her [[Page H8905]] family--especially her husband, Larry--will be happy to have her around more often. And although I will miss her, I know this is in no way a goodbye. I am positive she will continue to be active and touch the lives of those of us who have had the privilege of call her a friend. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Phyllis Causey, who exemplifies what it means to be an American, a Kentuckian, a Christian, and a public servant. ____________________