[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 8 (Wednesday, February 6, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            JEAN MARIE NEAL

  Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I rise to invite Members and staff to 
join me and my staff as we celebrate and thank this evening, in the 
Mansfield Room, Jean Marie Neal, who has been my chief of staff for the 
last year, my first year in the Senate. While I understand the rules of 
the Senate do not allow me to acknowledge her presence in the gallery, 
I do want to indicate that I believe it is important to recognize the 
service of this wonderful woman who has spent 21 years in the service 
of the Congress, the majority of that in the Senate, working for 
Senator Dick Bryan.
  It is important to note that when we have someone who is dedicated to 
the Senate, to helping us achieve our goals, to be able to put forward 
those matters that allow us to represent our constituents and make our 
States and our country better places, that when that person decides to 
retire from their position and move on to other challenges, it is 
important that we recognize them and say thank you. That is what I want 
to make sure we are doing officially this evening in the Record of the 
Senate.
  We have enjoyed in the last year the wonderful leadership of Jean 
Marie Neal in my office. As you know, I came from the House of 
Representatives and, while bringing some outstanding people with me, we 
had to put together a team of staff. It was under Jean Marie's 
leadership that we were able to find outstanding people who had been in 
service both in the Senate as well as in other places and who have come 
now to be a part of my office and my team.
  As we come into our second year, we are building on a foundation and 
a gift that she gave me of putting together a wonderful team that is 
committed and intelligent and loyal and hard working. We in our office 
are going to miss her greatly, and we are very grateful for all of her 
hard work.
  I know her previous employers, Senator Bryan and Congressman John 
Spratt, and all of those who have come in contact and have benefited 
from Jean Marie's intelligence and hard work and loyalty and ability to 
see and create a vision in terms of the office, as well as issues and 
advocacy for our States, are really happy for her.
  Again, I invite anyone who is within earshot to come by until 7 
o'clock this evening and join us to have an opportunity to celebrate 
Jean Marie's service to the Senate and to thank her for that and to 
wish her well as she moves on to, I am sure, many more successes.

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