[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO JON SAMUELS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 23, 2007

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, when our constituents think of the 
House of Representatives, they think of the 435 elected Congressmen and 
women. Yet each of us is acutely aware that much of what we do or say 
simply wouldn't happen without our hardworking staff--the men and women 
who choose this way to serve their country, and, oh yes, toil to make 
us look good.
  I rise today to pay tribute to Jonathan Samuels who has worked with 
me and for me from the earliest days of my first Congressional race, 
beginning in 1997 until today. It is with great pride, even motherly 
pride, that I see him move on to a key position in the office of 
Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.
  In the early fall of 1997, I literally recruited Jon Samuels off the 
street in my home town of Evanston, Illinois. He and I were walking 
together in a student-led march against violence that started at the 
High School and ended in downtown Evanston, a few blocks from my 
campaign office. He told me that he had recently graduated from college 
and talked about the work he was doing with the youth in our community. 
I learned he was experienced outdoors man and led young people on 
challenging wilderness experiences.
  By the time we reached our destination, I knew that I had to have Jon 
on my team. I clung to him during the speeches and then took him 
directly to my office to sign him up as an organizer in the Campaign 
School I was creating. The Campaign School was to be made up of 
seventeen young people from around the country who wanted to learn to 
become political professionals by working the Congressional campaign of 
a progressive Democratic woman. In exchange for providing excellent 
training, they would work for a stipend and organize a sufficient 
number of volunteers and identify enough voters that would elect me to 
Congress.
  The plan worked, in large part, because Jon Samuels was a star. There 
wasn't anything he couldn't do in that first campaign, and there was no 
way I could go to Washington without him. For the next 8 years, Jon 
worked by my side as Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, and 
then as Deputy Chief of Staff/Communications Director. Along with my 
amazing Chief of Staff, Cathy Hurwit, Jon has been the brains behind 
Team Schakowsky.
  As good as he was when he started, Jon has only gotten better. I have 
watched him grow into one of the most capable, dedicated, strategic, 
focused, wise-beyond-his-years young men I have ever encountered. I 
have relied on him to handle the most complicated issues and 
situations, deal with the media, constituents and outside groups, with 
other members and their staffs.
  But even more than for all of his extraordinary talents and skills, I 
appreciate and love Jon Samuels for his heart. Working in my office was 
never just a job for Jon. He believes in our shared progressive vision. 
He believed our team could make a difference. And I always knew he 
believed in me, and that has been and continues to be a source of 
inspiration.
  Jon is now like family to me. I feel privileged to say that because 
Jon is fiercely loyal to his family. He even calls his Grandmother 
every single day!
  And so, Madam Speaker, I rise to say on the record, Thank you, Jon 
Samuels. Thank you for your service to the residents of the 9th 
Congressional District of Illinois, for your continuing contributions 
to our country, for sticking with me for over 9 years, and for your 
love and friendship. You will always be part of Team Schakowsky.

                          ____________________