[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 98 (Monday, June 28, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MARTIN LEONARD SKUTNIK

 Mr. CONRAD. Madam President, I want to take a moment to honor 
a great civil servant. On June 4, Martin Leonard Skutnik retired after 
30 years of working at the Congressional Budget Office. Lenny 
exemplified the best of our public workforce. In his decades of 
service, Lenny worked tirelessly to support the work of CBO. He moved 
from handling mail and supplies, to printing reports, to providing IT 
support. Lenny's behind-the-scenes efforts helped CBO in its mission to 
provide Congress and the public with clear, timely, and accurate 
information. For that alone, he deserves our recognition and deepest 
thanks.
  But Lenny will also be remembered for the heroic deed he performed 
early in his career at CBO. On a cold January day in 1982, Lenny was 
returning home from work when he witnessed Air Florida flight 90 crash 
into the Potomac River. Risking his own life, Lenny jumped into the icy 
waters and saved one of the passengers from drowning. His selfless and 
heroic act was widely acclaimed at the time. President Reagan honored 
Lenny in his State of the Union Address, singling him out in the House 
gallery. This acknowledgement began the tradition of Presidents, in 
their State of the Union Addresses, recognizing people who have done 
extraordinary things. The President's gallery in the House is now often 
referred to as ``the Heroes' Gallery,'' thanks to Lenny.
  Lenny received many awards and honors for his actions on that day. 
But he never sought out the limelight or asked for special treatment. 
He remained a humble and hardworking public servant. Lenny insists he 
``wasn't a hero,'' and that he ``was just someone who helped another 
human being.'' But we know a hero when we see one. We can't thank Lenny 
enough for his long, faithful service to CBO and the American people. I 
wish him a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.
 Mr. GREGG. Madam President, today I would like to recognize 
and thank a dedicated civil servant, Martin Leonard Skutnik. Lenny, as 
he is known, recently retired after working for 30 years for the 
Congressional Budget Office. He started at CBO in 1980 handling the 
mail and messenger duties--before the advent of the internet, email, 
and blackberries--and later worked to help print and produce CBO 
reports and provide IT support. Lenny worked behind the scenes, 
tirelessly for three decades, to help provide Congress with the 
information it needed. Lenny was a model civil servant, and for that he 
deserves our respect and praise.
  Lenny was also a model citizen, and whether he thought so or not, a 
hero. In January 1982, Lenny witnessed a horrible event when an Air 
Florida plane crashed into the Potomac River near the 14th Street 
bridge. Without so much as a thought about his own safety, Lenny jumped 
into the river, which was full of chunks of floating ice, and saved the 
life of one of the crash victims. He was honored later that month by 
President Reagan during his State of the Union Address, and this began 
the inspirational tradition of Presidents honoring ordinary people who 
have done extraordinary things.
  Through it all, Lenny shied away from the spotlight and continued to 
report to work, putting 100 percent effort into his work each day. He 
worked hard, remained humble, and never sought to exploit his fame. His 
character exemplifies the best of the American spirit, and for that he 
deserves our admiration. I wish to thank Lenny for his hard work and 
for his heroism--may he enjoy a healthy and well-deserved 
retirement.

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