Floor Speech on Departure of Deputy Floor Director Latrice Powell

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives in recognition of the service of Latrice Powell, Deputy Floor Director for the Office of the Speaker. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I take pride to recognize the outstanding service of an esteemed member of my staff, known and respected by all here, our Deputy Floor Director, Latrice Powell. In her thirteen years on Capitol Hill, Latrice's name has been become synonymous with cool-headed leadership and institutional expertise. We all know her as a maestro of the Floor, masterfully directing legislative procedures and voting schedules, all while anticipating and managing the needs of our diverse Caucus.

Indeed, her skills as a coalition builder and communicator help our Democratic Caucus honor this proud truth: our diversity is our strength, our unity is our power. Members are particularly grateful for Latrice for her calm, trusted presence this past year, as she helped our caucus and the Congress navigate the time of the pandemic, and does so with equanimity and excellence. Throughout her tenure on our Floor team, Latrice has helped guide the passage and then the enactment of hundreds of bills For The People.

While she has helped advance this great progress, she has made history as the first African American Assistant Manager of the Democratic Cloakroom and then again –

[Applause]

– and then again at the start of the 116th Congress, when it was my honor to appoint her the first African American Deputy Floor Director.

[Applause]

A Jackson, Mississippi native, Latrice came first to the Hill to work under the leadership of our Chairman, you, Mr. Speaker, Bennie Thompson. Isn't that Bennie up there? These masks can be –

[Applause]

She then joined the staff of the Congressional Black Caucus under Chairs Emmanuel Cleaver and Marcia Fudge, serving as the Assistant Cloakroom Manager. In each of these positions she acquired a sterling reputation for her ability, and I know that each of these Members take great pride in her success.

While Latrice's trusted presence on this Floor will be missed, we are grateful for her service and for her work to forge a path for others to follow. On behalf of the House of Representatives, I thank Latrice Powell and wish her the best in the next stages of her journey.

[Applause]