[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2234-E2235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. BRIAN J. HARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight, our final night of 
the 109th Congress, to express my gratitude to and appreciation for a 
very good friend of mine, Mr. Brian J. Hard. I've had the honor of 
counting on Brian's exemplary service to my office and the people of 
Oregon's Second Congressional District for the past 8 years, and at the 
end of this month Brian will conclude his service in the United States 
House of Representatives as he returns home to the great State of 
Oregon with his lovely bride, Laura. This occasion will cap 12 years of 
outstanding public service by Brian in the Congress, and this 
distinguished institution will be losing one of its finest staff 
members.
  I first got to know Brian when I was the Majority Leader of the 
Oregon House of Representatives and he was fresh out of Oregon State 
University and had begun his service to our state in the Oregon 
Capitol. He succeeded in numerous professional capacities in Oregon and 
eventually accepted a key staff position in 1995 with one of my 
predecessors in the Oregon congressional delegation in Washington, DC. 
Brian and I renewed our ties in 1998 when I first ran for election to 
Congress and he was working for the honorable Chairman of the House 
Agriculture Committee, Bob Smith, whom I succeeded. I was very 
fortunate when Brian accepted my offer to work in my office upon my 
election, thus beginning a harmonious and successful relationship.
  As my Legislative Director for the vast majority of my service in the 
House, Brian has played a pivotal role in so many accomplishments we've 
worked hard to achieve for the people of Oregon. He has been a highly 
effective point person for numerous key issues over the years, from 
commerce, telecommunications and health care, to transportation, 
agriculture, trade matters and many other issues that have arisen and 
quickly needed a steady hand to manage. In addition to the legislative 
issues that consume much of our focus in the Congress, Brian has 
recruited and led a strong team of legislative staff in my office. He's 
also fostered extensive relationships with a great number of citizens, 
leaders and public officials in the Pacific Northwest and Washington, 
DC. And when the sheer overload of activity has heightened stress 
levels, we've always been able to count on Brian's fantastic sense of 
humor to bring a much-needed dose of comic relief.
  Brian's professional attributes have been a tremendous resource for 
me and those I represent. For his public service and dedication, I'm 
grateful. As important to me as the constant hard work Brian has 
exerted in our effort to deliver to Oregonians is the strong friendship 
I share with him. Brian is simply one of the most sincere and likable 
persons one can have the good fortune of knowing well. This goes for 
Laura Hard too. They're a wonderful couple, and I'm very proud to count 
them as close friends.
  As Brian and Laura begin their journey homeward bound, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in bidding them a heartfelt official farewell, 
with significant thanks to Brian for 12 years of outstanding service to 
Oregon and our Nation. You will be sorely missed.
  Go Ducks!

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