[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JEFF EAGER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I want to take the 
opportunity to publicly thank a member of my Washington, D.C. staff for 
his years of service to me and to the people of the Second District of 
Oregon.
  Jeff was raised in Central Oregon, graduating from Mountain View High 
School and then Willamette University. Upon graduating from college, he 
embarked to Washington, D.C. to begin his public service as a staff 
member to my predecessor, then-House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob 
Smith. Jeff honed his skills in the Congress immediately.
  Upon my election to Congress, I was fortunate to successfully recruit 
Jeff and he joined my staff the day I took office in 1999. He started 
out as a legislative assistant. Jeff is a quick study, Mr. Speaker. He 
tackled some of the most complex and vexing issues that face Oregonians 
and Americans. From how we safely dispose of chemical nerve agents in 
Eastern Oregon to how we get better quality and more affordable health 
care to rural America, Jeff learned these issues quickly and worked on 
creative solutions.
  Within a year, Jeff added the title of press secretary to his resume. 
Now, I have to tell you there's probably nothing more challenging than 
being a press secretary to a Member of Congress who was a press 
secretary to a Member of Congress. Jeff rose to the challenge quickly 
and, frankly, made a difficult job look easy. He got to know the 
reporters and editors in my district and understood their needs and 
their deadlines. He excelled at the press secretary duties while 
continuing to work on his portfolio of legislative issues.
  This week Jeff leaves the Nation's capital to return to Oregon where 
he will attend law school at the University of Oregon. I know he will 
do as well pursuing a legal career as he did in his work for me. While 
I wish him every success it goes without saying he will be difficult to 
replace. Jeff, thank you for a job well done.

                          ____________________