[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MITCH ROSE TO LEAVE THE HALLS OF CONGRESS

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, Mitch Rose, my chief of staff, who before 
that was my press secretary, will leave the Senate within the next few 
days.
  Mitch has been a great member of our staff, with his understanding of 
the nuances of legislation, his ability to articulate concerns, and his 
courage to challenge debate when he believes strongly in an issue. His 
talents with words, written and spoken, are really legendary.
  But no matter how tough the argument, or how serious the discussion, 
Mitch's sense of humor always helps to keep things in perspective.
  It's safe to say that he's not only famous for that sense of humor, 
but at times, he's infamous.
  Born in Alaska, a product of a great family and of Alaska's public 
schools, Mitch came to Capitol Hill after graduation from the 
University of Washington, almost 15 years ago.
  He first went to work for our friend and former colleague Bob Dole, 
and later toiled for the other members of our Alaska delegation, Don 
Young in the House and Frank Murkowski here in the Senate.
  When Mitch joined our staff, he took on the added responsibility of 
attending law school at night. His wife, Dale Cabaniss, attended a 
different law school in the evenings, while she worked for Senator 
Murkowski.
  Mitch's work on aviation and telecommunications issues has been 
particularly important. As chief of staff, he has kept ahead of the 
curve on all of our concerns, providing insight and guidance to my 
staff and me.
  The Alaska Humanities Forum has created a program named after Mitch, 
based on his experience as a youngster, when his parents made sure he 
knew how life in a rural Alaska village contrasts with life in urban 
Alaska. The Rose Urban-Rural Alaska Partnership Program will take urban 
youth to rural villages to promote better understanding of the very 
different ways of life in our small communities. It will provide the 
same type of opportunity his parents, Dave and Fran Rose, provided for 
Mitch when he was a young Anchorage school boy.
  Mitch is an example, Mr. President, of the best of his generation. 
He's worked hard, taken on heavy responsibilities at work and at home, 
maintained close and good relationships with Alaska and Alaskans, and 
with those with whom he works.
  He and Dale, who is now a Commissioner of the Federal Labor Relations 
Authority, are the parents of Ben 5, and twins Haley and Shelby, eight 
months.
  There is no question that we will miss Mitch. But there's also no 
question that he will be a valuable member of the private sector.
  My thanks to him for the work he's done, the loyalty he's shown and 
the friendship he's shared. With so many others who have known him over 
the years, I wish him well.

                          ____________________