Congratulations to Rick Apling, who has received CREA’s Robert D. Poling Outstanding Service to Labor Award. The award is given “in recognition of having gone above and beyond the call of duty to help the bargaining-unit employees of the Congressional Research Service.” Rick served as a Governor from the Domestic Social Policy Division (DSP) from October 1996 through September 2007. He is retiring from CRS on May 30. Throughout his tenure he was ready to help with some of the thorniest matters CREA needed to resolve. Whether writing and delivering testimony, negotiating with management on policy matters, or working on solutions to disputes, Rick always provided keen insight, along with hard work and a calm manner which earned the respect and admiration of all who dealt with him. He will be sorely missed.
At its meeting on May 14, 2008, the CREA Board of Governors voted unanimously to present Rick with the award. The award was presented on May 21. Please join us in wishing Rick a joyful retirement and the very best in his new adventures.