[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 153 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE SERVICE OF SCOTT SCHLOEGEL

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 29, 2010

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good 
friend and Chief of Staff Scott Schloegel. Scott has worked for me for 
nearly two decades in both the Michigan House of Representatives and in 
Congress. Over the years, Scott has demonstrated an unwavering 
dedication to his work, and I am forever grateful for his tireless 
service to both me and the citizens of northern Michigan.
  Scott began his service in 1990 when, fresh off his graduation from 
Northern Michigan University, he came to work as my legislative aide in 
Lansing, MI. When I came to Congress in 1993, Scott served as my 
District Director in Michigan where he oversaw hiring staff and opening 
six of my district offices. He instilled in the district staff that 
casework and constituent service should be their main focus and a 
hallmark of my tenure. As District Director, Scott logged hundreds of 
hours on the road with me and represented me at countless meetings and 
events across northern Michigan. He would meet with local officials, 
hold constituent outreach hours and would speak to groups for me while 
I was in Washington. Scott had a great feel for the political landscape 
of my rural district, and for more than four years he worked 
determinedly to help raise the profile of our office and convert what 
was a solid Republican area into one that consistently supported me 
with increasing re-election margins.
  In 1997, I asked Scott to become my Chief of Staff. Scott and his 
wife Kirsten moved to DC and began what would become a 13\1/2\-year 
reign as my top advisor. Over the ensuing years, we have been through 
many historical and personal tribulations. During the years that Scott 
was my Chief of Staff, we experienced the impeachment trial of 
President Clinton; the cliffhanger election between Vice President Al 
Gore and then Governor George W. Bush; the terrorist attacks on 
September 11, 2001; the anthrax attacks; the DC sniper; and key 
legislative battles regarding guns, energy, health care and many more. 
Also during this time, Scott and I both lost our mothers and my son 
B.J. passed away.
  Throughout my tenure I knew that I could always count on Scott to 
give me sound advice on political and legislative issues. When he 
disagreed with me he would not hesitate to tell me so. And, while he 
didn't win every battle, I knew that he always had my best interests 
and the best interests of northern Michigan in mind. One of his 
favorite tactics when he disagreed with how I was going to vote was to 
sit down and write a TV or radio commercial that he would run against 
me in the next election and then say, ``If you can counter that in a 30 
second TV spot or a 60 second radio spot, then go ahead and vote that 
way. If you can't, then maybe it isn't the right thing for the 
district.''
  Four years ago, when I became Chairman of the Energy & Commerce 
Committee's Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, Scott took over to 
handle my O&I work in addition to his Chief of Staff duties. He 
assisted in dozens of hearings into such critical issues as our 
nation's nuclear weapon's labs, cyber security, food and drug imports, 
health care reform, automobile safety, telecommunications and energy 
hearings. He has a great mind for oversight and investigations and I 
could always count on him to think ahead and represent my interests 
with the Committee staff.
  Over the years, we have done a tremendous amount of good for our 
nation and northern Michigan and I know that along the way, Scott has 
taken as much joy in helping his home district as I have. We have 
frequently reflected upon the many accomplishments of my tenure and the 
multitude of improvements across northern Michigan as a result of our 
work on improving infrastructure, helping businesses secure financing 
for research and development, and securing financing for communities 
and universities across the district.
  Madam Speaker, as I prepare to leave this great institution, I want 
to thank Scott for his leadership and friendship over all these years. 
I also want to thank his wife Kirsten and his daughters Emma and Lauren 
for the sacrifice they have made as Scott toiled for Michigan's First 
Congressional District. Kirsten and the girls had to put up with Scott 
working extremely long hours and I know there are times where he put 
service to me above his duties at home. Any elected official will tell 
you that the sacrifice of service is one that can test the strength of 
relationships at home, and I want Kirsten and the girls to know that I 
truly do appreciate the fact that they have allowed Scott to serve the 
people of Michigan and our nation. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. 
House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Scott Schloegel's 20 
years of public service.

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