[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JASON DEDWYLDER

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2004

  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, a dedicated member of my staff has moved 
on to another phase of his career here in Washington DC, but I would 
like to take a moment to honor his service to my office and to the 
people of my district in Mississippi.
  It was the Summer of 1998 when Jason Dedwylder first joined my team 
as an intern. Showing hard work, the will to learn and initiative, he 
came back to my staff in the Fall of 2000 to serve first as a 
Legislative Correspondent and then my Legislative Assistant. He worked 
on many issues in my office, but I am especially proud of the work he 
did in education and health care.
  He assisted schools and Head Start centers in my district secure 
greater funding. He helped shepherd teachers and principals through the 
No Child Left Behind reforms. When my constituents called and wrote 
with questions about our nation's education priorities and how our 
policies would impact Mississippi, Jason was always ready to discuss 
their concerns and answer their questions.
  Jason worked many hours with me on the Energy and Commerce Committee 
as we crafted the landmark Medicare Act of 2003 that provided a 
prescription drug benefit to America's seniors. He was there as we 
introduced our provisions early in the process that addressed the needs 
of Mississippi's rural health providers to treat seniors who could 
otherwise not seek medical care. He was there while we built a self-
injectible pilot program to reduce the costs to the Medicare system by 
expanding choice for seniors with afflictions like arthritis. He was 
even there that night when we finally passed the Medicare Act. I walked 
out of the Capitol that morning with Jason as the sun rose on a new day 
for American seniors.
  Quitman--Jason's hometown in Clarke County, Mississippi--should be 
proud of him. He graduated from Quitman High School and then after 
earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science at Mississippi State 
University, he came to Washington DC and made an impact not only on his 
family and friends back home, but on Americans across the nation. He 
learned the intricacies of policy and politics and added to his 
education a Masters in Public Policy from The George Washington 
University.
  As Jason moves into the private sector, our office will miss his 
experience, knowledge, and skills, but I know he will continue to work 
for smart, positive policy that will benefit our nation.
  Jason Dedwylder left a formative mark on the shape and operation of 
my office. We will not forget his good nature and considerate 
dedication to his work. I thank him for his service to this office and 
to Mississippi.

                          ____________________