[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1321-E1322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING PATRICK VAN GRINSVEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2012

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Patrick Van 
Grinsven, a vital member of my staff for over the past 3 years.
  Friday, July 20th was Pat's last day serving the people of the 
Illinois Fifth Congressional District. He has served with distinction 
since June 2008 when he joined the staff of my predecessor in office, 
the Honorable Rahm Emanuel. In April 2009, after I was sworn in, Pat 
joined my staff as a Legislative Correspondent and now departs as a 
Legislative Assistant.
  Pat began his career in public service when he became an intern in 
the office of his hometown Congressman, the Honorable Rahm Emanuel. Pat 
quickly moved up and in late 2008 he was promoted to Staff Assistant. 
After Congressman Emanuel left to become President Obama's Chief of 
Staff and I was elected as his successor, Pat joined my office as a 
Legislative Correspondent to continue serving the Fifth District. Pat 
managed all my constituent correspondence--an exceptionally difficult 
task amidst the controversy of the 111th Congress. In 2010, I promoted 
Pat to Legislative Assistant and since then he has handled some of my 
highest priority issues including transportation, veterans, postal, and 
labor. As the longest-tenured staff member serving the Fifth District 
in Washington, DC, Pat will be sorely missed.

[[Page E1322]]

  It has been a pleasure to work with Pat over the past 3 years. He is 
passionate and serious about his work and he has a great sense of 
humor, an underrated trait in Congress. As a native Chicagoan, Pat is 
an ardent supporter of the Cubs, Bulls, Blackhawks, and Bears. We will 
also miss his devotion to soccer or, as I like to call it, weed hockey.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish Pat the best of luck as he begins a master's 
program at the School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns 
Hopkins University. I thank him for his service to the Illinois Fifth 
Congressional District.

                          ____________________