[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF JACK HECHLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH REGULA

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the Congress' 
attention an individual who has over the past decade made innumerable 
contributions promoting a better understanding of our institution and 
the federal government to visitors from around the world.
  Jack Hechler, for the past ten years, has served as escort/
interpreter for the well-regarded annual Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat 
Staff Exchange Program. Begun in 1983, this exchange program has 
greatly contributed to improving the working relationship between the 
legislatures of the United States and Germany. Since 1988, Mr. Hechler 
has been the escort/interpreter for the German delegation which arrives 
each summer for a three week program in Washington and Members' 
districts.
  Born and raised in Germany, Mr. Hechler graduated from American 
University in Washington, D.C., served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and 
for more than 37 years was an active Civil Service employee. Prior to 
his retirement, he served as Director of Policy, Plans, and Evaluation 
at the General Services Administration. Since his retirement, Mr. 
Hechler has provided escort and interpreting services for the 
Department of State and the U.S. Information Agency.
  Mr. Hechler has been invaluable to the success of the Congress-
Bundestag/Bundesrate Staff Exchange by providing continuity to the 
program which relies heavily on alumni volunteers. The ten member 
German delegations and the network of American alumni have come to 
depend on his insights, his wide breadth of knowledge of American 
history, and his composure. It is no wonder that the Federal Republic 
of Germany awarded him the Order of Merit for his work with this 
program.
  Mr. Hechler has provided Congress with a great service for which I 
offer my appreciation and that of my colleagues.

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