[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PAUL SCHOELLHAMER--A TRIBUTE

                                 ______


                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 1995

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, it is the good fortune of our colleagues 
and the American people that talented professionals from throughout the 
United States seek to serve in the national interest as staff members 
in the House of Representatives.
  One of this company, Paul Schoellhamer, has served this institution 
for more than a dozen years, and we have had better public policies, I 
believe, for his tireless efforts most recently as Democratic chief of 
staff for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
  In this Congress, Paul has had the thankless job of reducing the most 
impressive committee staff in the House by 60 percent. But in so doing 
Paul and the just-retired ranking Democratic Member, Norm Mineta, 
succeeded in creating the most versatile and experienced body of 
professionals to help do the work of protecting the Nation's 
transportation and environmental investments. For this job alone, he 
has the respect and appreciation of this Member.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like our colleagues to know something more about 
Paul, who is a native Californian. He is the son of Alicia and Jack 
Schoellhamer. Norm Mineta, in tribute 5 years ago to Paul's late 
mother, said that she was ``loved throughout her community, for her 
tireless charitable work and her devotion to bettering the lives of 
those around her, especially those in greatest need.'' Of Paul's 
father, Norm noted his many years of service to the U.S. Geological 
Survey. Paul is clearly, in the work and in the friendship I've known 
with him, the son of his parents.
  Paul received his bachelor's degree from the University of Santa Cruz 
and not all that many years later found his way to Norm Mineta's 
personal office in 1975, volunteering as an intern. Norm soon found his 
work indispensable, put him on his paid staff, and within 2 years 
assigned him to the Public Works and Transportation Committee.
  Over the years, Paul built a substantive expertise throughout our 
committee's jurisdiction--first, on the Public Buildings and Grounds 
Subcommittee; next, on the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee; 
and last, on the Aviation Subcommittee until 1985, when he became a 
vice president of Republic Airlines.
  After a few more years in the private sector, we were able to lure 
him back to the House as chief of staff for the Public Works and 
Transportation Committee in one of our most productive Congresses on 
record--and I say that having myself been committee administrator for 
Chairman John Blatnik of Minnesota prior to my election to the House in 
1974.
  In 1993 alone, in his first year as chief of staff at the beginning 
of a new Congress, here's a sampling of the legislative product Paul 
helped our colleagues produce:

                                  law

       H.R. 904, to create the Airline Commission, which 
     investigated the condition of the Nation's airlines.
       H.R. 2121, legislation to resolve the costly and 
     contentious ``negotiated rates'' problem affecting the 
     trucking and shipping industries.
       H.R. 3445, legislation assisting victims of the 1993 
     Midwest floods.


                          passed by the house

       H.R. 5, striker replacement legislation, which would 
     guarantee that striking employees could return to their jobs.
       H.R. 2739, The Aviation Infrastructure Investment Act, a 
     three-year program to improve airports and airways.
       H.R. 3276, technical corrections to the landmark Intermodal 
     Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
       H.R. 2440, reauthorization of the National Transportation 
     Safety Board for three years.
       H.R. 881, legislation banning smoking in Federal buildings, 
     with very limited provisions for designated smoking areas.


                        passed by the committee

       H.R. 1865, legislation to create a Federal program to 
     construct water supply systems.
       H.R. 2442, to reauthorize the Economic Development 
     Administration, including provisions to assist communities 
     adversely affected by military base closings.

  Mr. Speaker, Paul is now joining our former colleague, Norm Mineta, 
at Lockheed Martin's transportation systems and services division. I 
know that Paul's skills in the private sector will parallel those he 
polished in our company, both professionally and personally. Our loss 
here in the House is considerable, but we are far better for having had 
him with us for so many years.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him, his wife, and their 
children well in their new adventure.

                          ____________________