[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 150 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12730-S12731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   JACK HECHLER: DECADE OF SERVICE TO CONGRESSIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure today 
to recognize the dedication of Mr. Jack Hechler, who for the past 
decade has served as an interpreter and escort for an annual 
Congressional exchange program; the U.S. Congress/Bundestag Staff 
Exchange.
  This highly successful program has been in existence since 1983 and 
serves as a guideline to staff exchanges around the world. For the past 
ten years, Mr. Hechler has been the contract interpreter and escort for 
the German staff delegation which arrives each summer for a three week 
program in the United States. Born and raised in Germany, Mr. Hechler 
graduated from American University in Washington, DC, served in Korea 
with the U.S. Armed Forces and for more than 37 years was an active 
Civil Service employee who, prior to retirement was the Director of 
Policy, Plans and Evaluation at the General Service Administration. Now 
retired, Mr. Hechler has been devoted to the U.S. Congress--Bundestag 
Staff Exchange Program.
  Jack Hechler has been invaluable to the U.S. Congress-Bundestag Staff 
Exchange program by providing continuity to a program which relies 
heavily on alumni volunteers. The ten member German delegations and the 
network of American alumni have counted on his insight and discussions 
to add to this annual program. A recipient of the Order of Merit from 
the Federal Republic of Germany for his work with this

[[Page S12731]]

exchange program, he has provided a tremendous service and I offer my 
most sincere thanks to Jack for his efforts on behalf of the U.S. 
Congress-Bundestag Staff Exchange program. For a decade of service, 
vielen dank.

                          ____________________