[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 10979] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING RICHARD APLING FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE ______ HON. GEORGE MILLER of california in the house of representatives Thursday, May 22, 2008 Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to praise a public servant who is finishing 20 years of outstanding service to the Congressional Research Service. Members of Congress and their staff who are engaged with Federal education and disability legislation have benefited from the wisdom and professionalism of Richard Apling, Specialist in Social Legislation. Rick joined CRS in 1988 and has worked with Members of Congress and their staff on many of our most critical education issues. Rick has received numerous outstanding performance ratings as well as the gratitude of all of the Members and staff whom he has served throughout his career at CRS. Rick earned a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College, two master's degrees from the University of North Carolina, and a doctorate in education from Harvard University. Previous to joining CRS, he worked as a middle school history teacher and as a senior research associate at two private sector firms, senior research associate at Advance Technology, Inc., and at Policy Studies Associates. Since he began his service at CRS 20 years ago, Rick has been a nationally recognized expert on numerous aspects of major Federal education policy. Rick has been the lead policy analyst responsible for a variety of important and complex education programs and statutes, particularly the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act. Rick has also been responsible for a number of the larger programs authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, ESEA, including the Impact Aid program, and the increasingly important and complex issues of assessments and accountability for students with disabilities at the intersection of the ESEA and IDEA. Rick is a leader in developing analytic capacity within the entire Education and Labor Section of CRS' Domestic Social Policy Division. He never fails to provide valuable input to colleagues; he has advised staff from throughout Domestic Social Policy Division, DSP, on allocation formula programming and a wide range of data analysis issues and has frequently served as a very effective mentor for junior staff. Rick is a thoughtful, responsive and hard-working civil servant who has supported Members of Congress and staff with his tremendous depth of knowledge, history and analysis--always with a wry smile and incredible patience. His ability to research details and explain complex information is unparalleled, and no matter how tight the deadline or how stressful the situation, Rick always responds in a friendly and composed manner. Rick's work is an outstanding example of high-level analytic support for the legislative process, and collaboration and leadership in capacity building. He will be missed greatly, but his influence will continue to be reflected through support of Congress' deliberations by the many remaining CRS staff whom he has mentored or advised, who will carry on his tradition of service. I am proud to thank Rick Apling publicly on behalf of this Congress for his many contributions to our Nation and, in particular, on behalf of students with disabilities. ____________________