[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BRIAN MacDONALD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 2008

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special 
recognition to someone who has dedicated his adult working life to a 
career of helping people in Oregon's Second Congressional District, my 
chief of staff, Brian MacDonald.
  Brian is one of those rare individuals in this process who puts the 
needs of others ahead of his own. For new staffers and interns he is 
the ultimate coach, helping them grow into their jobs, undertake their 
responsibilities with proper attitude and professionalism and prepare 
for future opportunities. In short, he cares deeply about the people he 
works with and works tirelessly to help them be the best they can be.
  And when it comes to helping Oregonians, I've never worked with 
anyone who is more dedicated and effective. Forget time zone 
differences between the east coast and the west coast. Forget what day 
of the week or weekend it is. When Oregonians call for help, Brian is 
there, Blackberry in hand, ready to respond.
  All of us who have the great privilege of serving in the Congress 
know that we cannot do it alone. Given the enormous volume of incoming 
requests for assistance, the extraordinary list of complicated issues 
to understand and vote on, and the sheer confusion of the schedules we 
keep, it takes a talented team of thoughtful and capable staff to make 
it all work. Over the course of nearly 10 years as my Chief of Staff, 
Brian has distinguished himself as one of the best at pulling everyone 
together and juggling it all successfully.
  But Brian MacDonald is more than just one of Capitol Hill's finest. 
He is a caring husband to his wonderful and talented wife Poppy, and a 
very proud papa to his son Gill and daughter Marley. Before Gill 
arrived in the world, I remember Brian remarking about how he didn't 
think the addition of a child would significantly affect his time 
commitment to his work on the Hill. In fact, he said that because he 
requires less sleep than most, he didn't foresee many changes at all. 
To which I suggested the hours he usually set aside for sleep might not 
be the same ones that his yet-to-be-born son would choose. As the 
parent of a soon-to-be 18 year-old son, I remembered the days of 
bottles, diapers and sleepless nights all too well. And, of course, we 
all know ``the rest of the story.'' Now, in addition to having to 
juggle the daily flurry of activities in a Congressional office, Brian 
and his wife have two wonderful children to raise.
  Madam Speaker, on April 19, 2008, Brian will reach a milestone in his 
life. He will turn 40. And as much as he would not want anyone to know 
or celebrate such an occasion, those of us who consider him a dear 
friend and colleague cannot let this significant--well, historic--mark 
pass without notice.
  Therefore, I rise today to both wish him the very best on the 
occasion of his 40th birthday and to thank him for his friendship, his 
leadership, and his thoughtfulness. He is truly a trusted friend, a 
terrific chief of staff, and the living definition of what ``public 
service'' is all about.

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