[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2194-E2195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN FURTHER RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICE OF THE STAFF OF THE COMMITTEE ON 
                   TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 17, 2010

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, in my 44 years serving as a clerk, 
Administrator, Member, and finally Chairman of what is now the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have had the 
opportunity to work with some of the finest staff on Capitol Hill.
  Whether they are drafting legislation and managing hearings, or 
answering the phones and copying documents, each member of the staff 
makes a vital contribution to the success of the Committee.
  As my term as Chairman comes to a close, I would like to take a few 
moments to recognize these dedicated professionals as they move on to 
new challenges and opportunities.
  Stacie Soumbeniotis Tiongson has served on this Committee for over 11 
years, first as the Staff Director of the Aviation Subcommittee and 
then as Deputy Chief Counsel of the full Committee. As Staff Director 
of the Subcommittee, Stacie was responsible for managing all 
legislation, hearings, markups and all other activities covering civil 
aviation. She has been intimately involved in the planning and drafting 
of several landmark aviation bills, including the Aviation and 
Transportation Security Act of 2001 and the Air Transportation Safety 
and System Stabilization Act to secure our skies after the September 
11th terrorist attacks.
  During the last two years, as Deputy Chief Counsel, she participated 
in the oversight and management of all activities of the Committee and 
its six Subcommittees, focusing on issues related to highways, 
aviation, rail, Coast Guard, and economic development, as well as 
advising on legal and legislative issues regarding Committee 
jurisdiction.

[[Page E2195]]

  I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Jen Walsh for her six years 
of service as Legislative Assistant to the Committee. Jen's keen 
intellect and professionalism, combined with her warmth and ever-
present smile, have served me and all of the Committee members, both 
Democrats and Republicans, well over the years. I am especially 
grateful for her service as my liaison with the staff of the Democratic 
Members of the Committee. Jen has shown a remarkable ability to 
communicate complex subject matter in an understandable format to the 
Members, and has been invaluable in ensuring that all the Members and 
staff of the Committee are well prepared and informed to carry out the 
responsibilities for which we serve. She is a shining example of the 
hard-working professionals that serve, often thanklessly, behind-the-
scenes to ensure that this Committee and this Congress are able to meet 
the needs of the Nation.
  Bradley Watson has served with the Committee since the end of the 
110th Congress. As a Staff Assistant, he has managed the front office 
with efficiency and professionalism. He has worked diligently in many 
areas under the Committee jurisdiction and has been a steadfast 
presence coordinating Committee mark-ups and hearings. Bradley has been 
a versatile contributor and his research and database abilities have 
served the Committee well.
  Carson Gorecki, a fellow native of Minnesota, served as a Staff 
Assistant with the Full Committee during the end of this 111th 
Congress. Starting his career with the Committee as an intern, he was 
soon hired full-time. Over the course of his time here, he has 
developed a deep grasp and appreciation of transportation issues and 
legislation.
  Carson played a key role in the production of the monthly report on 
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, material that I consider 
immensely helpful to me and other Members. His hard work and humor were 
both welcome additions to the staff, and I express my utmost gratitude 
for his contribution.
  John-Paul C. Hayworth is an outstanding member of the Oversight and 
Investigations staff of the Committee. His integrity, energy, and 
innovative ideas have been a great asset to the Committee and to my 
work.
  Mr. Hayworth's time on the staff has proven his zeal for public 
service. His responsibilities have enhanced his analytical skills to 
the benefit of us all. Recently, he concurrently assumed 
responsibilities with the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and 
Emergency Management Subcommittee. Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton and the 
staff of the Subcommittee have found him to be calm and collected, but 
always with a vibrant sense of humor and a smile, even in the 
unpredictable environment of the House.
  Laurie Bertenthal has been a valued staff member of the Committee for 
nearly four years. Laurie started as a Staff Assistant for the 
Oversight and Investigations staff, where she supported groundbreaking 
Committee investigations, including problems with the U.S. Coast 
Guard's Deepwater Acquisition program, and Southwest Airlines' ``cozy'' 
relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration.
  In 2008, Laurie became an integral member of the Aviation 
Subcommittee, first as Legislative Assistant, and progressed to 
Professional Staff. Laurie has worked on many important matters 
pertaining to reauthorization of the FAA and National Transportation 
Safety Board. Additionally, Laurie played a key role in the recently-
enacted Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension 
Act of 2010, P.L. 111-216. Laurie employed her strong research and 
legislative drafting skills to craft a provision that will create a 
pilot records database, which will allow airlines to efficiently access 
pilot applicant records and improve the safety of the flying public.
  Jeff Schnobrich has served the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure for two years, first as an intern, later with the full 
Committee staff, and finally as a Staff Assistant with the Subcommittee 
on Highways and Transit.
  Jeff has shown himself to be a detail-oriented, dedicated member of 
my staff. From the beginning, he showed an appreciation for the 
importance of an effective transportation system to the economic 
vitality of America. He soon became versed in the intricacies of both 
Federal transportation policy and Congressional procedures and 
processes. During his time, he helped lead the Committee's effort to 
establish a database of Member-designated projects, ensuring 
transparency and accountability. In all his tasks, he has been 
efficient, reliable, and a pleasure to work with. I thank Jeff for his 
years of service and wish him the best.
  Rose M. Hamlin has been a stalwart on the Committee staff for 19 
years.
  She began her service with the Subcommittee on Water Resources where 
she established herself as a dedicated and effective office manager. In 
her years of working on the Committee, she concurrently worked on 
Public Buildings, Coast Guard, and Oversight and Investigations.
  Ms. Hamlin is now the Office Manager of the Subcommittee on 
Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. She has played an 
instrumental role in the passage of several key pieces of legislation, 
coordinated dozens of hearings and markups, and has ensured that I and 
members of the Committee staff remain up-to-date on issues under the 
Subcommittee's jurisdiction.
  Although his time with the Committee has been short, Lee Matsos has 
done an admirable job as Staff Assistant for the Subcommittee on Water 
Resources and Environment. Lee's strong background in writing and 
editing allowed him to contribute to the Committee's national media 
coverage and concisely summarize the critical weekly news within the 
Water Resources jurisdiction for the Committee Membership. Lee also 
served as an able point of contact for witnesses testifying at the 
Subcommittee's September 30th hearing on the Impact of Green 
Infrastructure.
  In addition, Lee managed the database content and the filing of 
project requests for the expansive Water Resources Development Act of 
2010. He connected constituents to the legislative staff in an eloquent 
and professional manner. It is clear that Lee has a bright future ahead 
of him, and we have been lucky to have him on our staff.
  Madam Speaker, the essence of the legislative process is 
collaboration. Each individual member of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure staff has played a vital role in the 
work of the Committee these past four years, and, through collaboration 
and hard work, has made this Committee the most productive on Capitol 
Hill.
  I wish them all much success in whatever the future brings.

                          ____________________