[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        A SALUTE TO MATT FLETCHER

                                 ______


                          HON. STEVE GUNDERSON

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, with the close of a Congress, many 
changes occur. Members of Congress, who have announced their 
retirement, complete the process of closing down their offices and 
moving home. New Members come to town with hope and enthusiasm, aiming 
to carry on where their predecessors have left off.
  But not all change occurs at the Member level. Perhaps even more 
dramatic in terms of numbers and influence would be the changes 
occurring at the staff level. For it is today, and always has been, the 
professional staff that make so much of what we do possible.
  Today, I want to pay special recognition to one of those staff 
members who will be leaving Federal service November 1. Matt Fletcher 
will conclude his service to the Congress on that date. He leaves as 
the minority staff director on the House Government Operations 
Committee. And when he leaves, we lose not only a dedicated member of 
our congressional staff--we also lose a wonderful example of what can 
be accomplished through dedication and hard work.
  I knew Matt Fletcher as a friend, before I knew him as a professional 
colleague. Matt came to Washington, like so many others seeking 
congressional service. Yet, he asked for nothing on a silver platter--
he earned everything through hard work and competence.
  When we first met, shortly after my election to the Congress, Matt 
held down two jobs. Matt brought all the values of the midwest with him 
from Cedar Rapids, IA. Unable to achieve the congressional job he hoped 
for, he began working at the Republican Senate Campaign Committee. But 
because this did not cover his financial needs, he worked part time at 
Bullfeathers. It was here, through a friend, that we met.
  We have always had much in common. We both came from midwestern 
families whose fathers sold Chevrolets. Our mutual interests in sports, 
Republican politics, and governing gave us much to discuss over our 
mutual tastes for beer. But it was his work ethic that impressed me the 
most. And so when an opening occurred on my staff, I asked Matt to 
consider joining my staff. When he agreed to do so, I and the Congress 
were the lucky ones.
  Matt Fletcher began as a member of my staff in 1985, and soon became 
my legislative director. He not only coordinated the entire legislative 
effort for a very busy office, but he also provided specific issue 
leadership as well. In particular, Matt Fletcher will be remembered for 
making the Environmental Management Program on the Upper Mississippi 
River a reality. Matt was the one person who led the entire legislative 
efforts to make the goal a reality. Generations of Americans, young and 
old alike, will enjoy the multiple uses of the Mississippi River in 
large part because Matt Fletcher made it happen.
  Second, Matt Fletcher, handled defense and foreign policy issues for 
me at a most important time in American history. With the cold war at 
breaking point, and numerous trouble spots in Central America--these 
were complicated and troubled times. As a legislator immersed in 
agricultural and education issues essential to my district, this was a 
clear case of the need of competent guidance from one's legislative 
staff. Matt Fletcher met that need.
  One of the great things on Capitol Hill is that competence, hard 
work, and earned respect can pay dividends. By 1987, Matt Fletcher's 
abilities were hired by the Government Operations Subcommittee on 
Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. It was this point in his 
career, when Matt's responsibilities were transferred from my direction 
to that of the Hon. Bill Clinger--the ranking Republican on that 
subcommittee.
  Bill Clinger obviously recognized and appreciated the same positive 
traits in Matt, that I had come to take for granted. For soon, Matt's 
responsibilities had moved from subcommittee staff to full committee 
staff. And when Bill Clinger assumed the position of ranking Republican 
on the full committee, he asked Matt Fletcher to serve first, as Deputy 
Staff Director, and in 1992 as Minority Staff Director. He will hold 
that position until the time of his departure.
  For those of us, who know him, and have worked with him--Matt's 
departure from Capitol Hill will leave a large gap. He brought to his 
work a sense of caring, compassion, respect, and diligence too often 
missing in this business. He understood the essential role of 
partisanship in our democracy. But he never played political games for 
pure partisan purposes. He understood the role of oversight in an open 
multibranch government. But he never pursued oversight for pure 
harassment purposes.
  On a personal level, Matt has been the kind of professional staffer 
everyone would want to know, and work with on their staffs. No one has 
been more loyal, honest, and dedicated to the work of his office and 
his boss. No one has been more committed to the successful work of 
Congress as an institution. No one has been more liked by the Members 
he worked for, the professional colleagues he worked with, or the 
public he worked to help.
  I will miss him on Capitol Hill. And I thank him for his service 
here. But we will continue to be personal friends. And I wish him all 
the best in his future. No one deserves it more than Matt Fletcher.

                          ____________________