Lawmaker Honors Longtime Congressional IT Administrator Carlos Olen Godby

A lawmaker rose on the chamber floor to honor the life of Carlos Olen Godby, saying, "I rise today to honor the life of Carlos Olen Godby," and recalling his decades of service to the institution.

The lawmaker said Godby was widely known in offices across Capitol Hill as "the best IT administrator Capitol Hill has ever known," and added that "he was a husband, father, and friend of those who knew him." The speaker described him as calm, dependable and a "problem-solver, intelligent and trustworthy."

Colleagues, the lawmaker said, could count on Godby for quick help: "There was never a problem he couldn't fix, and if he wasn't sure right then, we knew he'd figure it out, and always before he even told me he could call me back, he was calling me back with a solution." The tribute stressed that Godby combined technical skill with personal care: "he asked how we were doing, he asked about our families, and he showed that he cared personally about those he served professionally."

The lawmaker named Godby's family, saying, "He spoke often about his wife, Angela, and his daughter, Adele. They were truly his pride and joy," and offered condolences: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones now, especially Angela and Adele." The speech also listed personal touches that colleagues recalled — time at Mount Vernon Park, tending his lawn, listening to music, cooking with New Mexican green chili, and rooting for the New Mexico State Aggies and the Dallas Cowboys.

Highlighting the length of his service, the lawmaker said, "Carlos served on the Hill for over 30 years," and called his impact and generous spirit enduring. The remarks closed with the speaker yielding back: "And with that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back."