[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          HONORING NANDO GOMEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2008

  Mr. ORTIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of my most 
trusted staff members, my Chief of Staff, Fernando P. ``Nando'' Gomez, 
Jr. After working in Congress for 7 years, the past 2 as my chief of 
staff, Nando will be joining the private sector.
  Nando's dedication to and interest in public service has led him from 
the small town of Gregory, TX, to the corridors of two Capitols. During 
his senior year at the University of Texas in 1994, he began working 
for the Texas House Speaker James E. ``Pete'' Laney. Nando worked for 
Speaker Laney for nearly 5 years and was appointed the House reading 
clerk during the 74th and 75th Legislative Sessions.
  He then moved to Washington, DC, in 2001 and worked for Congressman 
Martin Frost, serving as legislative assistant and then as legislative 
director. He joined my staff in 2005 and rose from legislative director 
to chief of staff.
  Words cannot begin to describe what Nando has meant to me, my staff, 
and the people of the 27th District of Texas. I have relied on Nando 
for his professionalism, work ethic, and friendship. He takes pride in 
his work, which is especially personal to him because he was born and 
raised in the district I represent. For him, it has not just been about 
serving as my chief of staff--it is about advocating for the issues of 
his hometown, his family, and his roots.
  Nando has also taken an active role with local youth. He serves in 
Brothers/Big Sisters Mentor program, where he has had the honor of 
serving as big brother to his little brother, Franklin, for nearly 5 
years. Nando is an avid sports fan whose allegiances lie with the Texas 
Longhorns, Houston Astros, San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys.
  Though I bid Nando a sad farewell from my office, it will certainly 
not be a good-bye. I look forward to seeing him around the Capitol when 
he comes up to catch up with old friends.
  Nando remains a trusted member of my family, and I will always seek 
his counsel on matters political and personal. I wish him, his wife 
Kristy and son Dominic the best of luck during the new phase of his 
life.

                          ____________________