[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SALUTE TO RUSS MUELLER ON HIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 1998

  Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize and honor a 
member of the staff of the Committee on Education and Workforce, Mr. 
Russ Mueller, on his 25th anniversary with the Committee.
  Russ came to the Committee staff in the middle of the Congressional 
debate on the legislation that was subsequently passed and became known 
as ERISA--the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Since then, for 
many of us, Russ and ERISA have become almost synonymous. John 
Erlenborn and Al Quie, the Ranking Members of the full committee and 
subcommittee at the time, wanted a staff member who understood the 
intricacies of pension financing and other employee benefits. So they 
brought in Russ, who was, and is, a certified actuary. Twenty five 
years later Russ is still setting Members of Congress straight on the 
intricacies of employee benefits.
  Along the way Russ has worked on a lot of major legislation. I 
suspect that some of his prouder accomplishments have been in helping 
to stop a lot of bad ideas--like the Clinton health care proposal a few 
years ago, on which he worked day and night for weeks on end to point 
out the foreseen and unforeseen consequences of that government take 
over of health care.
  All of us who have worked with Russ know of his knowledge in the 
employee benefits area and of his commitment to legislative 
craftsmanship. He truly is one of our experts in these complex issues 
and has worked untiringly on behalf of our voluntary, employment based 
health care and benefits system. Along the way he has found time to be 
an avid golfer and fisherman, and dedicated father. I am pleased to 
recognize and salute Russ for his 25 years of service to the Committee, 
the Congress and to our country. I wish him many more years of good 
health and continued good service.

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