[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10355-S10356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO CARL BIERSACK, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE SENATE MAJORITY 
                                 LEADER

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize and bid 
farewell to my loyal and trusted advisor, Carl Biersack. Carl is 
leaving my staff to enter into retirement after 27 years of Federal 
service, including more than 9 years of outstanding service on my 
staff.
  It is difficult to pay adequate tribute to a man who has done so much 
for me, for my staff, and for the State of Mississippi and the Nation. 
Those of you who know Carl know that he gives 110 percent of himself 
every day, inspiring those around him to do the same.
  He is the son of a career U.S. Army officer, Carl graduated from the 
Virginia Military Institute in 1971. He received his commission as a 
second lieutenant and served on active duty for over 7 years. So how 
did I get so lucky, you ask, to add this VMI alumnus to my staff? Yes, 
VMI is where Sigma Nu was founded, but no, this is not the reason!
  Mr. President, in 1988, the U.S. Army made Carl the recipient of the 
prestigious Pace Award. This award, which was named after a former 
Secretary of the Army, is given out annually to one civilian and one 
member of the military who have demonstrated outstanding service on the 
Army staff to their nation.
  As if receiving the coveted Pace Award was not tribute enough, the 
award included an opportunity to study at Harvard for a year. Because 
of family considerations, Carl decided to forgo a move to Boston and 
instead asked to spend a year as a Capitol Hill fellow. He thought he 
would learn more useful skills here than at Harvard. He was right. The 
Army agreed, and he was hired as a fellow in my personal office by my 
then-Chief of Staff, John Lundy; former Legislative Director Sam 
Adcock; and Susan Butler, now Chief of Staff for Congressman Chip 
Pickering.
  That's right, Mr. President--I was Carl's second choice. Carl is 
quick to say he is an accidental staffer. Someone who did not aspire to 
work on the Hill. I believe this was one of his strengths.
  He brought the honor and integrity he learned at VMI, the discipline 
and dedication of his Army service, and the work ethic of a DOD civil 
servant to my office.
  After his first year, I asked Carl to stay as a permanent member of 
my staff. Fortunately for me and Mississippi, he did. Now, looking back 
at his nine years worth of accomplishments, I am amazed. In fact, I had 
grown so accustomed to his daily presence, when asked, I said Carl 
worked for me for 13 years. Even people downtown think his tenure was 
about 15 years. His presence and contributions cast a long shadow.
  Carl has covered a broad range of issues during his tenure on the 
Hill ranging from telecommunications to energy, from environment to 
fish, from oceans and roads to bridges and aviation. While Carl has 
never sought the limelight, many of my colleagues recognize his vital 
role in enacting important legislation. He was a fearless negotiator 
who frequently found consensus through incremental changes. Often his 
work was ratified by unanimous consent actions.
  During Carl's tenure, he successfully shepherded roughly 25 public 
laws through the legislative process: Many of these laws moved key 
industries to competition, such as the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 
and the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. Some reformed the way the 
Government regulates and supports certain industries, such as the ICC 
Termination Act of 1995, the Maritime Security Act of 1996, and the 
Amtrak Reform Act of 1997.
  Some will shape our Nation's high-tech economy, such as the Y2K Act 
and the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Others, such as the National Invasive 
Species Act of 1996, and the Accountable Pipeline Safety and 
Partnership Act of 1996, protect life, property, and the environment 
from harm.
  Then there were bills, like TEA-21, which were vital to maintaining 
and improving our Nation's infrastructure. And let me not forget Carl's 
role in facilitating Congress' basic responsibility: authorizing and 
appropriating funds for Executive departments and agencies.
  Carl was able to accomplish so much as a Senate staff member because 
of his willingness to work out inclusive solutions to problems. His 
success can also be attributed to his efforts to remain

[[Page S10356]]

an anonymous staffer who avoided the spotlight. He concentrated on 
results, not personal credit.
  Staff on both sides of the aisle were comfortable working with him. 
He admitted his errors, said he didn't know when he was unsure, and was 
generous with his praise for others. He read the material provided by 
constituents and advocates, returned phone calls, and was accessible. 
He was the consummate staffer.
  Both Senators and staff knew Carl would deal with their concerns 
fairly, honestly, and professionally. A deal was a deal. His word was 
respected. This was true both on the Hill and downtown.
  Carl was determined to learn all there was to know about Mississippi. 
He made trips back to the state to visit our catfish farms, pulp and 
paper plants, national forests and universities. He saw small towns, 
courthouse squares, topnotch telecommunications headquarters and 
military bases. Carl knew that learning about the lives of 
Mississippians was important to effectively represent the state and its 
citizens.
  Although Carl is from Virginia--often referring to himself as my 
token non-Mississippian--he was an ardent defender of Mississippi's 
interests and people. Mississippians have grown to trust and respect 
Carl's devotion to ensuring that Mississippi's issues and concerns were 
recognized and often included. His adamant support of my home state's 
interests has not gone unnoticed by its citizens. Carl was named an 
honorary citizen of Mississippi and he proudly displayed the 
certificate.
  For years, Carl willingly and voluntarily assumed the role of mentor 
to new staff members who needed help navigating the complex legislative 
world. As Legislative Director, he challenged staff to achieve their 
fullest potential, take risks and learn from their mistakes. There is 
no doubt that his influence spurred the professional growth made by 
young, eager staffers, resulting in talented and enthusiastic team 
players. Carl was always willing to share the lessons he learned the 
hard way.
  There is no overstating how Carl's selflessness has enhanced the 
professional and personal lives of the generations of staffers who were 
privileged enough to work with Carl. He lived by the motto on his VMI 
class ring--``honor above self.''
  I know that I am losing a brilliant and effective legislative 
director, but others tell me that I am losing the man who is teacher, 
parent and sometimes counselor to those around him. I am quite sure 
that the rest of my staff will miss him as much as I will.
  Carl's memos and notes were always timely, informative, and accurate. 
They were frequently entertaining, and sometimes caustic, but his daily 
paper trail ensured I had the necessary information to deal with the 
issues and events surrounding legislation. He was not afraid to tell 
bad news, but he always proposed solutions.
  Carl was the king of metaphors. He used them to make a point, to 
negotiate, and to educate. Still, he was eager to dig into issues and 
legislation. His knowledge of bills was his credibility. I do not think 
I ever saw him without reading material.
  Mr. President, it saddens me to see a man of Carl's caliber depart my 
staff. He certainly leaves big shoes to fill. For Carl's talent, loyal 
service and dedication to me and the state of Mississippi, I am very 
grateful.
  He is a man who was defined by his family. He always had his 
priorities straight and he never forgot his family as he fulfilled his 
commitments to the Senate and Mississippi. His wife, Ann, and his 
daughters, Katie, Sarah, Olivia, Allyson, and Rebecca, have reason to 
be proud. I wish Carl Biersack good luck in all of his future endeavors 
and pray that God may continue to richly bless him and his family.

                          ____________________