The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO THOMAS O'BRIEN
______
HON. KAY GRANGER
of texas
in the house of representatives
Monday, December 20, 2021
Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas O'Brien, an accomplished professional staff member of the House Appropriations Committee, who is retiring after more than 31 years of service in the Federal Government.
Tom began his career at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1990. In 2004, during his tenure with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Tom was detailed to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, where he assisted with the fiscal year 2005 and fiscal year 2006 appropriations bills.
Following his detail, Tom became the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and would soon become the Chief Financial Officer. In his role, Tom was responsible for managing fiscal policies and practices for over 10,000 employees and $1 billion.
Then, at the start of the 112th Congress, Tom rejoined the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture as professional staff, where he utilized his more than 20 years of Executive Branch experience. In 2014, Tom became Clerk for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture. In this role, Tom was responsible for a portfolio exceeding $23 billion.
Tom was an outstanding member of the Appropriations Committee staff for more than ten years, and he served on my staff for three of those years. Tom was tasked with working on some of the most complex issues in the agriculture sphere, and he performed exceptionally.
Tom dedicated much of his life to public service, and I know he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and three daughters. Tom will be dearly missed by his colleagues--I wish him the very best in his next chapter and thank him for his devoted service to the United States.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 219
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