[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1013-S1014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF SCOTT HOFFMAN

 Mr. BEN NELSON. Mr. President, today I would like to share 
with my colleagues and the nation a tribute to a friend of mine from 
Nebraska.
  On Sunday, February 8, 2004, Scott Hoffman of McCook, NE, passed 
away. His family lost a loving husband and father. I lost a friend and 
trusted member of my staff. And the State of Nebraska lost a proud 
native son and someone who embodied the attributes often used to 
describe our State--strong, hard working, caring and deeply invested in 
his community.
  We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our coworker and friend. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Scott's wife Darcey, their sons 
Christian and Stephen, his daughter Danae, and the entire Hoffman 
family.
  Scott was a devoted family man, a dedicated public servant and a true 
friend. Scott seemed to always have his finger on the pulse of 
Southwest Nebraska. There isn't a community or a cause that isn't 
familiar with Scott's work advocating for the entire region.
  Back when I was considering running in the 2000 Senate elections, I 
visited the local paper, the McCook Gazette, for an editorial board 
meeting. Scott was a member of the newspaper staff at the time. After 
the meeting he walked me out to the car and asked if he could join my 
campaign staff. We hired him and that was one of the best decisions I 
made.
  Scott had a knack for working with people. He could as easily 
communicate with members of the press or a chamber of commerce as with 
elementary school students. He would walk into a room and be able to 
get disparate people to work together--a talent few have and fewer 
still can master. This ability made him an asset, not just to my 
office--and I am grateful he was a member of my team--but to the entire 
State of Nebraska. Scott always knew our primary concern is the welfare 
of Nebraska and he spent his time working on behalf of Nebraska's 
interests.
  Scott's work on behalf of Nebraska was well respected and only 
recently did I learn that community officials sought out Scott to lead 
the McCook Economic Development Corporation. Scott, in his typical 
fashion, told the leaders that he was doing what he wanted to do and 
wasn't seeking a change. That loyalty was a defining characteristic of 
Scott Hoffman and he applied it to his job, his church, his family, his 
friends and his community.
  His legacy can be measured in the outpouring of support his family 
has received in recent days. The community of McCook was there for 
Scott in the hours after he was reported missing. Over two hundred 
volunteers, including members of McCook Senior High's football and 
track teams, joined more than thirty first responders in the search for 
Scott. Although that search ultimately came to a tragic end, the 
dedication of these rescuers underscores Scott's connection to his 
community.
  And the community of McCook was there again for Scott's family when 
news spread that he had passed. The letters, phone calls and testaments 
to Scott have poured in from Nebraskans across the State and as far 
away as Africa. It is overwhelming, but comforting, because we know 
that although Scott is gone, he will not be forgotten. In his 33 years, 
he has left his mark in McCook and his friends and neighbors will 
ensure that his memory lives on.
  Scott was a good friend to many in the McCook area and across 
Nebraska, including me, Diane and everyone on my staff. He will be 
missed and remembered fondly by all who knew him, especially those of 
us who had the pleasure of working with him. Personally, I am going to 
miss his advice, his hard work on behalf of Nebraska, and most of all, 
the friendship I was so fortunate to share with him. He will be deeply 
missed by all of us.
  A friend of Scott's at the McCook Gazette wrote this week of Scott 
that he ``spent his time well.'' His activities on his last day with us 
bear that out. He took his sons Christian and Stephen sledding. He went 
grocery shopping for his family. He took his beloved dogs for a walk. 
In some ways it seems that he was called from this life at a moment of 
great peace, having fulfilled his duties to protect and provide for his 
family. His loss leaves us with unanswered questions but also fills us 
with the satisfaction of knowing Scott loved us, and was loved in 
return. And that is what makes life fulfilling.
  I ask that two articles in tribute to Scott from his hometown paper 
the McCook Gazette be printed in their entirety in the Record.
  The documents follow:

             [From the McCook Daily Gazette, Feb. 10, 2004]

                Monday Brings Worst Fears, Best Memories

       While the example of his life burns brightly in our minds, 
     we need to find fitting ways to pay tribute to the memory of 
     Scott Hoffman.
       In some form--either through a monument, an award, a 
     scholarship or another appropriate means--we need to come up 
     with a lasting memorial to eulogize Scott and to create an 
     inspiration for generations to come.
       Because, in his 33 years of life, this dynamic young man 
     showed us the importance of getting involved, staying 
     involved and remaining faithful to your family, your church, 
     your job and your community.
       Scott Hoffman did all that . . . and much more. As you have 
     already heard on radio and television and read on the front 
     page of the newspaper, the search for Scott ended tragically 
     Monday afternoon when his body was found by a diver in the 
     Huck Finn Pond at Barnett Park.
       With the discovery our worst fears were realized. While we 
     mourn, we also give praise for the life Scott lived.
       To give illustrations of how highly he was held in esteem, 
     we offer two recent examples. First, following a recent 
     speech which Scott gave on Sen. Ben Nelson's behalf, a member 
     of the news media addressed Scott, ``You are very well spoken 
     and very focused on the issues. Would you consider running 
     for office yourself?'' Then, late in 2003, Scott was asked, 
     privately, to consider entering his name in application for 
     the director's position with the McCook Economic Development 
     Corp.
       In both cases, politely and humbly, Scott declined. ``I'm 
     where I want to be and I am doing what I want to do,'' is the 
     best way to summarize his answers. He appreciated the 
     opportunities, but remained dedicated, devoted and satisfied 
     with the course his life was taking.
       We don't find that kind of steadfast loyalty nearly enough 
     in these times. You could see the love and respect for Scott 
     shine through Monday evening in radio and television 
     interviews with his good friend, Kerry Ferguson; the Gazette 
     editor, Bruce Crosby; and Red Willow County Sheriff, Gene 
     Mahon.
       They were more than Scott's co-workers and officials with 
     whom he worked. They were Scott's friends, as were so many 
     others in this region, this State, and--increasingly through 
     his work with Sen. Nelson--this Nation.
       It is both important and appropriate that we remember Scott 
     Hoffman. He served us and shared with us during his 33 years 
     of life. In times to come, we need to cherish his memory and 
     be uplifted by his example through a lasting memorial.
                                  ____


             [From the McCook Daily Gazette, Feb. 10, 2004]

                     A Guy Who Spent His Time Well

                           (By Bruce Crosby)

       Scott Hoffman took his two sons, Christian, 9, and Stephen, 
     6, sledding Sunday afternoon.
       He went to the grocery store for his wife, Darcey, and 
     carried the food into the kitchen.

[[Page S1014]]

       ``I guest I'll take the dogs for a run,'' he said, heading 
     out the door with their three pets.
       I've written before about my late stepmother, Alyce, who 
     always said, ``I'd rather wear out, than rust out.''
       She lived by that saying, spending her time caring for her 
     family--offering advice to her often bewildered stepson--
     volunteering for her church and community, almost to the end, 
     at the of 83.
       I wish Scott would have had the same chance. As it was, he 
     spent his last Sunday the way he spent most of his spare 
     time--taking care of those he loved.
       Scott deserved another 50 years, at least as much as any of 
     us do. He was just hitting his stride when he was called from 
     this life Sunday afternoon, at the age of 33.
       Maybe his memory will help us make the right choices when 
     it comes to how we spend our precious days on earth.

                          ____________________