[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H105-H107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING PAULA NOWAKOWSKI

  (Mr. BOEHNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, first I would like to 
thank Speaker Pelosi and the majority leader, Mr. Hoyer, for their 
graciousness over the last couple of days. I also want to say thanks to 
all of the Members on both sides of the aisle who have offered their 
condolences to me, personally, and to my staff. A special ``thank you'' 
to President Obama and former President Bush for their calls of 
condolence.
  I think all of us know that this institution couldn't operate without 
staff; it just couldn't function. And this last week, we lost one of 
the best. I was fortunate enough to have a great leader of my team; and 
we rise today and remember Paula Nowakowski.
  Now, let me say that she was no picnic. She was as tough as nails, 
and any of you who have worked with her--George, you remember--she was 
as tough as nails--a brilliant strategist who had a wicked sense of 
humor. Haley Barbour, whom she once worked for, said that she was as 
smart as a whip, and you have to visualize that coming from Haley; but 
there was a softer side of Paula as well. She made a positive 
difference in thousands of lives around the Hill and around this town.
  She loved all things Detroit, especially her beloved Detroit Red 
Wings, and so you will see that I and a lot of my staff will have a 
Detroit Red Wings pin on for the balance of this year. She loved her 
country. She was a warrior for freedom, and two of her biggest heroes 
were Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul, II, who worked together to bring 
Soviet communism to its knees. She loved this institution, and she 
loved all of the Members and the staff, and had friends on both sides 
of the aisle; but most of all, she loved her family. Her mother, Teo, 
and her brother Gary are with us today.
  And, Mrs. Nowakowski, please accept our condolences, and thank you 
for the shining light that was your daughter. Of her 46 years, that 
light shined brightly and touched countless lives, and she will never 
be replaced in this institution, nor will she be forgotten.
  With that, I would be happy to yield to my friend, the Speaker of the 
House.
  Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentleman, the distinguished leader, for 
yielding, and express to him on behalf of all Members of the House of 
Representatives, indeed, the Congress, the condolences that we all 
feel. We extend them to you on Paula's passing.
  As the leader has said, we all were aware of her brilliance and her 
effectiveness when the leader was chairman of the Education and 
Workforce Committee. Mr. Miller, that is why he is presiding in the 
chair, became a fan of Paula, as did John Lawrence, her counterpart, as 
well.
  This is a very special person, a devoted conservative as the leader 
has said. She loved Ronald Reagan and John Paul, II. She had a strong 
perspective, was very innovative in her orientation in terms of 
solutions and had a beautiful, beautiful smile. It is with great 
sadness that all of us received the news of her passing.
  And, to her mother, I say, we were shocked by it, in a state of 
disbelief, and especially for someone so vibrant, so full of life, with 
this brilliant intellect again, and this strong personality to leave us 
so young. She left us, but she has made her mark. She is a person we 
will never forget because of her leadership skills and because of her 
friendship.
  So it is with great respect, admiration, sadness, and affection that 
I extend to Paula's family the sympathy and condolences of the Congress 
as I join the distinguished leader in doing so.
  I extend those condolences to you, Mr. Leader, because I know what a 
great partner she was to you as you lead the Republicans in the 
Congress.
  But she was here for everyone because, as the leader said, she loved 
this institution. So we are all shocked by her loss. Her belief in John 
Paul, II, enables the rest of us to be comforted by the fact that now 
she has joined him and so many others in heaven; and just to express 
the gratitude of a grateful Congress to all who knew her, to her 
family--to Michael, to her mother--to all of you, I hope it is a 
comfort to you that, with the greatest sadness, so many people mourn 
your loss and are praying for your family at this very, very difficult 
time.
  With that, I--and in sorrow--yield back to the distinguished leader.
  Mr. BOEHNER. I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from Virginia 
(Mr. Cantor).
  Mr. CANTOR. I thank the gentleman.

[[Page H106]]

  And I, too, stand with much respect as we today commemorate the life 
of Paula Nowakowski.
  To her family that is here with us, we gather today in this moment to 
salute a dear friend, a dedicated staffer, an indispensable member of 
our leader's team and, frankly, of our conference's team.
  Paula had an unshakable devotion to our country and its principles. 
As the Speaker just indicated, she had a very innovative spirit about 
her and about the commonsense solutions that we are trying to arrive at 
here to address the challenges of the people whom we represent.
  Her sage advice and counsel made her an invaluable resource to our 
Members each and every day and, frankly, to this institution. She will 
be in our thoughts every day as we pass legislation that empowers 
individuals and that lifts the American spirit.
  Paula was particularly concerned about the working families in her 
beloved State of Michigan. Almost daily, we would hear in leadership 
meetings, in conference meetings about the plight of the manufacturing 
workers who would see nothing but closed-up factories and question 
their future. Paula was there for them.
  Paula's life was cut short way too soon. We will, Mr. Leader, all 
miss her terribly, but we will find strength, determination and 
inspiration in the example that she set for all of us. All of us, I 
guess, can learn from this when it is all said and done. What is most 
important is not when you die but how you lived. Everyone who knew 
Paula knows, as the leader said, she was tough as nails, but she lived 
every day to the fullest, giving her heart and her soul to help make 
America a better, more prosperous place.

                              {time}  1545

  We will all remember her each day. We will remember her when we do 
the work on this floor, we will remember her in our places of worship, 
and we will smile and think of her the next time that her beloved 
Detroit Red Wings win another Stanley Cup. Our party and our Nation owe 
Paula a tremendous debt of gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, I would now like to read a letter from Senator Mitch 
McConnell, the distinguished Senate Minority Leader.
  ``Dear Leader Boehner:
  ``I share your sorrow over the untimely passing of Paula Nowakowski. 
I too considered Paula a trusted confidant. Over the years, I came to 
deeply value her candid counsel, her sound instincts and her warm good 
humor. She was unafraid to speak the truth. Her sense of teamwork and 
loyalty helped to lay a foundation of open communication and trust on 
both sides of the Capitol dome. My staff and I will miss her 
tremendously.
  ``It is a testament to the respect and admiration that she enjoyed on 
this side of the Capitol that if any of us ever started a conversation 
with `I just talked to Paula,' or `Paula said,' everyone from Senators 
to staffers not only knew who you were talking about, but that whatever 
she said carried an implicit guarantee. You could take it to the bank. 
She was regarded by everyone here as a consummate professional, a 
tremendous asset to our party and the Congress, and sharp as they 
come--in short, an extraordinary woman.
  ``All those qualities aren't easy to find in one place. But that is 
what made Paula stand out, and that's why her passing has prompted so 
many heartfelt expressions of grief and admiration from both sides of 
the aisle. It's a truly trusted adviser who can finish his or her 
boss's sentences--and she was one who could.'' And often did, I might 
add. ``It is also a rare staffer who could be so intensely focused on 
the business of the House even as she succeeded in building such a 
strong sense of teamwork with the Senate.
  ``So on behalf of the entire Senate family, please accept our 
condolences on this loss to you, your staff, to Congress, and, indeed, 
to our country. Hopefully the memory of her spirit and example will 
provide some measure of consolation at this difficult time.
  ``Yours Sincerely, Mitch McConnell, Republican Leader.''
  At this time, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland, the majority 
leader.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend for yielding.
  There are times in life when you get a call and you are shocked, you 
are saddened, you are stunned. That was such a call for, I am sure, all 
of us when we learned that Paula Nowakowski had passed away.
  Shakespeare said, ``She should have died hereafter. There would have 
been time for such a word. Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.''
  Paula will not see those tomorrows, and we are sad. And we share the 
sadness and loss that her family has experienced.
  And, John, we share the loss that you have experienced. All of us who 
have staff know that they become family, not just staff, not just 
bureaucrats or somebody that we rely on to do this, that, or the other. 
They become alter egos, in many respects, particularly those who lead 
our offices. Paula Nowakowski had that relationship to John Boehner 
and, indeed, to others as well.
  Since 1995, Paula was an important and positive part of Leader 
Boehner's team, and in that time she earned respect throughout the 
Congress for her political skill, for her work ethic and her dedication 
to her ideals.
  I particularly remember her kindness and cooperation during the 
transition from a Republican majority to a Democratic one in November 
and December of 2006. Clearly, a difficult time for those who were 
moving from the majority to the minority. I have been there. I 
understand how it feels. It was a disappointing time for her and for 
Mr. Boehner, and for her party as well. However, throughout that time 
she maintained a professionalism, a courtesy, and a kindness that I 
will always remember.
  Paula's premature passing reminds us all of the uncertainty of our 
future and the importance of today and now, and how important it is to 
be nice to one another, respectful of one another so that we do not 
lament tomorrow what we did not do today.
  The absence she leaves behind reminds us that Congress is not simply 
an inanimate branch of government, but a living and vibrant community 
of public servants and, quite often, friends, a place for very talented 
Americans who love their country and seek to serve it well. Paula 
Nowakowski was such a person, such a fellow citizen, such an American. 
She was a valued friend of many, a loyal and effective leader of 
Congressman Boehner's staff, and an outstanding example of the 
dedication and hard work displayed by so many who serve this House and 
our country. Paula's absence will be felt in this community and 
especially in Leader Boehner's office for years and years to come.
  So my thoughts are with you, Mr. Leader, at your loss. And our 
thoughts are with her family as well. We are pleased that they are 
here. They loved her.
  It is important for them to know that although Paula was a partisan, 
as all of us for the most part are on this floor, she rose above 
partisanship. We rise above partisanship in our respect and love and 
sense of loss.
  I yield back my time to the Republican leader.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Let me thank my fellow leaders for their kind words.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. George Miller of California). The Chair 
would ask all present to rise for the purpose of a moment of silence.
  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my deepest condolences 
to the family and friends of Paula Nowakowski. Paula served the 
Congress and our nation with distinction for many years, most recently 
as Chief of Staff to my good friend, the Republican Leader, Mr. 
Boehner.
  I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Paula for nearly a 
decade. She was a trusted advisor and I always appreciated her counsel 
and support. Her love for the House of Representatives, humility, 
professionalism, and abilities were well-known. Paula will be sadly 
missed by all of us who had the honor and privilege of working with 
her.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as I searched for the words to honor 
and remember Paula Nowakowski, the journey led me to former President 
Reagan.
  President Reagan was an inspiration for Paula the professional, the 
strategist, the conservative, and, most importantly, Paula, the proud 
American, whose love of country brought her to the Congress and to John 
Boehner's staff.

[[Page H107]]

  President Reagan said:

       Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us . . 
     . that in our time we did everything that could be done . . . 
     we kept them free; we kept the faith.

  I think these words best encapsulate who Paula was--a tireless 
advocate; a devout Catholic; and a formidable warrior and human being.
  We are all the better for having known her.
  Paula, you will be sorely missed.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of 
Paula T. Nowakowski, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away 
Saturday, January 9, 2010. As a trusted aide to Republican Leader John 
Boehner, she was there for each and every Member of the Republican 
Conference. Before I served as Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
Education and Workforce Committee, Paula effectively led the staff as 
Staff Director for nearly six years, helping to enact legislation that 
were major initiatives of President Bush's administration. Paula held a 
deep love and respect for the institution of Congress and the people 
who are elected and chosen to serve our nation. She was extraordinarily 
talented, loyal, and to-the-point. She will be greatly missed.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of 
Paula Nowakowski, and to express my deep sadness over her passing.
  Paula, the dedicated chief of staff to House Republican Leader John 
Boehner, died unexpectedly last Saturday evening, January 9, 2010, at 
the young age of 46.
  Her death leaves a void on Capitol Hill that can never be filled. 
Paula was a true professional and a devoted patriot on behalf of her 
country.
  During twenty-five years of public service, Paula spent fifteen years 
as a faithful aide to Leader Boehner and proved herself to be a woman 
of integrity and compassion.
  And as we all know, it is difficult to overstate the love she held 
for her home in Michigan.
  Paula will not only be remembered for her work on the Hill, but for 
her tireless efforts off the Hill as well.
  Paula worked extensively, on Leader Boehner's behalf, in developing 
an annual gala to benefit Catholic schools in Washington, D.C. Over the 
last six years, this gala has offered more than $5 million in support 
for local Catholic schools struggling to keep their doors open.
  If further proof was needed of Paula's impact in the lives of so 
many, look no further than a Facebook page that in just a few days has 
signed up over 650 individuals to honor Paula's memory.
  This past weekend, Congress lost a talented public servant and House 
Republicans lost a dear friend.
  As one leadership aide noted, Paula ``demanded excellence.''
  May we continue our work on behalf of the American people the way 
Paula would have wanted us to--in a manner that promotes excellence.
  On behalf of my family and staff, I extend my sincere thoughts and 
prayers to Paula's family, friends and to the entire staff at the 
Republican Leader's office, as they cope with this incalculable loss.
  May God comfort them during this difficult time.

                          ____________________