[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JENNIFER WARDREP

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Jennifer Wardrep, one of my finest employees who has worked for me, in 
one capacity or another, for five years. Jennifer came to work for my 
press office when I was the Secretary of State of Georgia. She had 
recently graduated from East Carolina University where she studied 
journalism and political science. Jennifer had a successful career in 
college, working for the student newspaper and rising to become its 
editor.
  In the Secretary of State's office, Jennifer quickly won my respect 
and that of her coworkers for her hard work and writing skills. She 
spent many long nights working in the Georgia Capitol to make it 
possible for the people of Georgia to receive the news of State 
elections, the new Motor Voter laws and all of the important work 
handled by that office. Her dedication to me, and that office, is 
something for which I am deeply in her debt.
  In December of 1995, Jennifer left the safety of her ``good 
government job'' for the exciting but temporary life of a political 
campaign. Once again, Jennifer came to work for me, on my long-shot 
attempt to become a United States Senator. If there ever was a time 
when I needed a good press person, it was then. Jennifer was a huge 
part of a successful media campaign that let the voters of Georgia 
decide for themselves who was best suited to represent them in the U.S. 
Senate.
  I remember one time in particular when we were traveling through 
South Georgia talking to several newspapers and many more voters. It 
was late in the campaign and we were all tired and ready for the 
election. Jennifer kept me on message as much as humanly possible and 
rewarded me with candy. This creative thinking is typical of Jennifer. 
As she and I will both affirm, it sometimes takes innovative approaches 
to confine me to one message.
  I went to bed on election night not knowing for certain if I had won 
the race. Early the next morning, my phone rang and woke me up. It was 
Jennifer and she said ``Good morning, Senator.'' The people of Georgia 
had heard our message of hope and opportunity, several news 
organizations wanted to interview me and this was my wake-up call. 
Jennifer was the first person to call me ``Senator.'' I will never 
forget that moment and I want to thank her very much for that.
  After the election, I asked Jennifer to come to Washington with me 
where she became my Press Secretary. The tenacious media in Washington 
was no match for her. Although the southern hospitality of Atlanta was 
nothing like the rough and tumble of Washington, Jennifer's experience 
paid off. Jennifer quickly established good relationships with the 
media and helped me share with the people of Georgia the work we were 
doing on campaign finance reform, Georgia's defense operations and 
many, many more things.
  Although I have said it many times, I truly believe that I have the 
best staff on Capitol Hill. And I truly believe I have the best Press 
Secretary on Capitol Hill as well. Jennifer has decided to move on to 
other things and I wish her the best of luck at whatever she does, 
although I doubt she will need it. Jennifer has served the people of 
Georgia well and served me extraordinarily well. Whether it was setting 
up press conferences, sending out news releases, writing PSA's, or 
recording Internet messages, Jennifer Wardrep is an irreplaceable part 
of my staff and will always be my ``Tiger'' in the press 
office.

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