[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 22 (Thursday, February 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E172-E173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MEMORIAM FOR FRANK CUSHING, APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE STAFF DIRECTOR
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HON. JERRY LEWIS
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Frank Martin Cushing, who gave more than 30 years of service to the
Nation as a congressional staffer, culminating as the staff director
for the House Appropriations Committee. Frank passed away on Monday,
Feb. 6, 2012 at the age of 59.
Frank was a fabulous person, a true leader and someone who you could
always count on to get an extremely difficult job done right--while
leaving everyone feeling good about it when it was finished. He was a
mentor and friend to so many of the wonderful staff who work for the
Appropriations Committee, and one of the best people I ever worked with
in my career in public service.
I first came to know Frank well when he came to work for me as staff
director of the House Appropriations Committee on Veterans Affairs, HUD
and Independent Agencies in 1994. He immediately helped craft a bill
that reduced spending by several billion dollars, but at the same time
won over many agency heads and executive branch officials who found him
tough but fair and extremely knowledgeable about their needs.
Frank was a giant of a man. Members on both sides of the aisle--in
both the House and Senate--respected him for his integrity, compassion,
pragmatism and mastery of the political process. When I became
Appropriations Committee chairman in 2005, there was no doubt in my
mind who should be staff director
[[Page E173]]
of the full committee. I was extremely gratified when Frank agreed--and
became just the 12th staff director of the House Appropriations
Committee in U.S. history.
His legacy remains on the committee in the many excellent staff
members he hired and trained. And he will be missed by the hundreds of
members and staff throughout the House and Senate who came to know and
admire him. I have no doubt that many will join me in reaching out to
his wife, Amy and their four children, and express their sympathy at
her loss and their gratitude for having known Frank Cushing.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide the obituary for Frank in order
for my colleagues to understand what a truly remarkable person and
public servant he was:
Frank Martin Cushing
April 9, 1952-February 6, 2012
Frank Cushing, loving husband, son, father, grandfather,
brother, and mentor died at his home in Falls Church on
Monday, February 6, 2012. He was 59 years old.
Widely respected for his deep faith, integrity, and love of
family and country, Cushing left an indelible mark in public
policy through more than 30 years of public service in the
House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and Washington, DC
business community. Cushing was widely regarded as one of the
most knowledgeable individuals in Washington concerning the
congressional appropriations and Federal budget processes.
Cushing graduated from the University of Idaho in 1974 with
a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and completed
graduate level work in public policy administration at the
University of Idaho and Boise State University in 1974-75. He
came to Washington, DC in 1977 to work as a legislative
assistant for Senator James McClure of Idaho. Cushing served
as clerk of the Senate Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Subcommittee for Chairman McClure from 1981-84
under full committee Chairman Mark Hatfield of Oregon, and as
staff director for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee under Chairman McClure from 1984-91.
Following a three-year stint as Corporate Vice President of
a Fortune 50 energy firm, Cushing returned to Capitol Hill in
1995 to serve as Clerk and Staff Director of the House
Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development (VA-HUD) and
Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee for then
Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Lewis of California under full
Committee Chairman Bob Livingston of Louisiana. He left the
Hill in 2003 to become a partner at a firm specializing in
appropriations consulting but returned to the House in 2005
as the Clerk and Staff Director of the full House
Appropriations Committee under newly elected Chairman Lewis.
Cushing was the twelfth Clerk and Staff Director of the House
Appropriations Committee in U.S. history and today his
portrait hangs in the U.S. Capitol with his predecessors
dating back to 1865.
Cushing retired from the Hill in 2008 to become a partner
in a D.C. law and consulting firm where he devoted his time
and energy to public policy, particularly relating to funding
for science and education. His integrity, compassion,
pragmatism, and masterful political skills were admired by
House Members, Senators, and staff on both sides of the
aisle. Cushing also served as an At-Large Trustee of the
Consortium for Ocean Leadership. He also served on the
Advisory Board of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the
University of Idaho.
Cushing is survived by his wife, Amy Hammer of Falls
Church, VA; his mother, Elizabeth Cushing of Arlington, VA;
his brother, William P. Cushing, Jr. of Norristown, PA.; 4
children, Christina Abel of Caldwell, ID, Jennifer Dewing of
Crandon, WI, Amy Catherine Cushing of Falls Church, VA, and
Nathaniel Allen Cushing, of Falls Church, VA; and 12
grandchildren. Friends and family were blessed to join him at
home over the last weeks of his life on earth for a time of
reflection, confirmation, and joy.
A memorial service celebrating the life and memory of Frank
Martin Cushing will be held on Monday, February 13 at 3 p.m.
at Columbia Baptist Church, 103 West Columbia Street, Falls
Church, VA, where Cushing served as a deacon.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be
designated to the Frank Martin Cushing Public Policy
Scholarship through the University of Idaho Foundation, Inc.,
P.O. Box 443147, Moscow, ID 83844-3147, as a part of the
James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research
for which Cushing served on the Advisory Board. Contributions
may also be directed to CrossLink International, 427 North
Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046.
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