[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 112 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8031-S8032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING JACOB TRIOLO

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the outstanding 
service Jacob Triolo has provided to the Senate Committee on Small 
Business and Entrepreneurship in his capacity as a professional staff 
member. When Jacob--known to most as Jake--joined the committee staff 
in the spring of 2007, I knew that I had selected a top-notch staffer 
who cared deeply about making a difference in peoples' lives. We will 
miss his dedication and insight when he leaves Capitol Hill next month 
to pursue a law degree at Washington & Lee University in historic 
Lexington, VA.
  A native of Oregon and a 2004 dean's list graduate of the University 
of Oregon, Jake came across the country to Capitol Hill in the summer 
of 2004 to begin working for my good friend and former colleague, 
Senator Gordon H. Smith. Starting out in the front office as a staff 
assistant, Jake immediately sought out additional responsibilities and 
was promoted to the position of legislative correspondent in less than 
a year's time. In 2007, when I was looking to hire a new staff member 
to handle a wide-ranging portfolio of issues for the Small Business 
Committee, I was immediately impressed by Jake's ability to multitask 
and his willingness to tackle a variety of issues simultaneously. His 
astute research, concise analysis, and willingness to accept new 
challenges made him an ideal candidate to represent the committee on a 
variety of small business initiatives, including entrepreneurial 
development programs, disaster oversight, science and innovation, and 
funding for the Small Business Administration. Additionally, those who 
know Jake, including Senator Smith, spoke glowingly of his 
professionalism and creativity.
  Jake immediately hit the ground running, compiling intelligent and 
thoughtful background memoranda and hearing materials that contained 
tremendous insight and detailed analysis. One of his first endeavors as 
part of my staff was playing a leading role in developing legislation 
that would overhaul the SBA's disaster response program. In the wake of 
the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita back in 2005, 
Jake helped me to identify the causes of the Federal Government's 
substandard response by working on the Small Business Disaster Response 
and Loan Improvement Act of 2007. Early in his tenure, Jake came into 
the office over several weekends, on his own volition, and successfully 
advocated to include these key provisions into the farm bill 
conference. As a result of his diligence and persistence, I 
successfully worked with a number of my Senate colleagues in advocating 
for private lending institutions to have the option of making private 
disaster loans following large-scale disasters. This change, which was 
passed into law, will greatly improve our country's ability to respond 
to natural disasters. As a responsible and trusted member of the 
committee team, Jake has also traveled to the gulf region to monitor 
progress and attend critical field hearings focused on rebuilding 
communities devastated by hurricanes.
  Additionally, as ranking member of the Senate Small Business 
Committee, I am charged with fully considering the concerns of 
entrepreneurs and small firms nationwide. As such, Jake labored 
extensively on the Patent Reform Act of 2007, helping me to ensure that 
small businesses retained their voice in the process by preparing me 
for negotiations with the Judiciary Committee on provisions that would 
protect their unique interests. While this legislation did not pass, 
his efforts helped guarantee that entrepreneurs will be taken into 
account during discussions of policy changes, such as modifications to 
the post-grant review process--work that will provide a solid 
foundation as the Senate continues its attempt at patent reform this 
Congress.
  Jake's command of individual subject matters and appreciation for 
collaboration has been a direct result of his tenacious study and 
exposure to the legislative process. In large measure, his success as a 
Hill staffer is due to his ability to cultivate lasting professional 
relationships with staffers from other offices in the Senate, House, 
and at Federal agencies. His sense of humor and easygoing personality 
make him easily likeable, and many of his colleagues have become close 
friends throughout the years. Jake is also a tremendously caring 
individual, and his family plays a central focus in his life. That is 
why when his sister, Renata, came to Washington for an internship, Jake 
was certain to look after her as she followed in her big brother's 
footsteps.
  Jake is fond of saying that the classic movie ``Mr. Smith Goes to 
Washington'' has influenced his career, and provided him the impetus 
for attending law school. Well, Mr. President, Jake Triolo has gone to 
Washington, and he is now headed into a vast frontier where, with his 
knowledge, resilience, and passion, he has a bright future with no 
bounds. I fully expect that in 3 years' time, Jake will be back in 
Washington, serving our Nation's people in one capacity or another. A 
dedicated public servant who has demonstrated a capacious appetite for 
learning and a true talent for public policy, Jacob Triolo has been an 
asset to me and to the committee staff during his nearly 2\1/2\ years 
here. I wish him luck at Washington & Lee and in every endeavor he 
pursues.

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