[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 170 (Sunday, December 30, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2008-E2009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  U.S. REP. MIKE PENCE FAREWELL SPEECH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, December 30, 2012

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, it's an honor to rise for what will be my 
last time speaking as a Member of the United States House of 
Representatives. The people of Indiana have given me a new assignment.
  But I rise tonight to pay a debt of gratitude to all of those who 
gave me the privilege to serve in this place. As a boy, I dreamed of 
someday representing my hometown in our Nation's capital. Twelve years 
ago, the people of the Sixth Congressional District made that dream a 
reality. And so I begin tonight by simply saying `thank you' to all of 
them for letting me live that dream in these past 12 years, to come to 
this place again and again, and to be some small part of the story of 
this institution and America's story.
  My only ambition in Congress was to look out for my family and to 
keep my word to the people who sent me here. To let my `yes' be `yes' 
and my `no' be `no.' And it is my hope that as people view the totality 
of my record and my life, they'll see that we've done just that.
  There are those to thank tonight that made that possible, and that's 
what brings me to this task this evening. First, permit me to give 
thanks to God, whose grace and mercy has sustained us every day that we 
have served the people of Indiana in this place.
  Next, and on this Earth most of all, I rise to honor and thank my 
beloved wife, Karen Pence, whose love, whose support, whose sacrifice, 
patience, and kindness, have made all that I have done in the service 
to the people of Indiana in this place, possible. Thanks for believing 
in me. I love you and I'll see you home. To our children: Michael, 
Charlotte, and Audrey. They were 6, 7, and 8 when I first arrived in 
this place and stood on this floor with my right hand raised, 12 years 
ago. They are now 18, 19, and 21. Thank you for your love. But thank 
you for the sacrifices that you have made so that we could live our 
dreams. Now go make your dreams come true. I know every one of you can.
  To my colleagues with whom I've stood at this place, shoulder to 
shoulder, doing freedom's work, standing each and every day, cheerfully 
on behalf of the founding principles of this Nation: standing for a 
strong national defense; for limited government; for economic freedom; 
and for the moral foundations of this Nation. You know who you are. And 
we will take you from this place in our hearts always. You know there's 
a saying back home, when you see a turtle on a fence post, one thing 
you know for sure is that he didn't get there on his own.
  So lastly what I want to do tonight, Mr. Speaker, is really to pay a 
debt of gratitude to the best congressional staff in American history. 
The men and women who have served our efforts in this city, and at home 
in Indiana for the past 12 years. I leave this body truly humbled when 
I look back at the caliber of the staff that we've been able to call to 
this mission, servant leaders all. They are men and women who 
approached each and every day with a servant leader's heart and made 
sacrifices over the years in order to serve the people of Indiana with 
integrity and energy. Names like Bill Smith and Lani Czarniecki; 
Jennifer Pavlik and Josh Pitcock; Matt Lloyd and Paul Teller; Marc 
Short and Sheila Cole, Russ Vought and Mary Vought; Ryan Fisher, LeAnne 
Holdman Gibbs and Chris Kiefer; Brian Neale and Ryan Jarmula, just to 
name a few. You know, I don't really have time tonight to name all of 
the men and women who served us in various capacities over these last 
12 years. I submit each and every one of their names to the 
Congressional Record this night.
  Some people look on in Washington, D.C., and they are rightly 
frustrated. Some people can come to this Nation's capital and lose 
their idealism. I'm not such a person. When I walk out of this Capitol 
for the last time, I will leave here with my idealism intact. I will 
continue to believe as our Founders did, that we are one nation under 
God, rich with a purpose yet to be fulfilled. That no matter how dark 
the day may seem that we can be confident when we stand for freedom and 
we do freedom's work, because freedom is not just our story, it's His 
story. And when we stand for freedom, however imperfectly, we make His 
work on this Earth our own.
  In the words of the poet I depart this place saying,

     The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.
     But I have promises to keep,
     And miles to go before I sleep,
     And miles to go before I sleep.

  I say to my colleagues and friends and neighbors in Indiana, my 
duties take me elsewhere, but wherever providence leads this Nation, 
let us ever remember that we have promises to keep for future 
generations of Americans in preserving, protecting, and defending the 
blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. And I know we'll 
keep that promise because we're Americans.
  Thank you for the honor of addressing you tonight. And to the people 
of the Sixth Congressional District: know that I'll always be grateful 
for the privilege that you have given me to serve in this place. And I 
will always cherish my days in the People's House.
  May God bless the United States House of Representatives, and all who 
serve her now, and ever on this floor. And may God bless the United 
States of America.


                   Mike Pence Staff Roster: 2001-2012

       Acornley, Mark--Part-Time Admin Assistant: October 6, 2011-
     2012
       Adams, Susan--Staff Assistant: October 6, 2003-February 29, 
     2004
       Ahearn, Mark--Legislative Director: January 22, 2002-April 
     2, 2003
       Alexander, Jerry--Constituent Services Representative & 
     Director of Community Outreach: July 9, 2001-May 15, 2007
       Arnold, Ron--Director of Administration & Deputy Chief of 
     Staff: January 3, 2001-October 31, 2009
       Atterholt, Kathleen--Caseworker: January 3, 2001-January 2, 
     2010
       Bauer, Zachary--Staff Assistant & Legislative 
     Correspondent: January 4, 2010-2012
       Bennett, Kim--Deputy District Director: January 3, 2001-
     2012
       Berry, Debra--District Representative: August 6, 2001-2012
       Breeding, Mary--Paid Intern & Staff Assistant: April 1, 
     2001-January 18, 2002
       Brinkman, Muffet--Staff Assistant: January 8, 2001-March 
     31, 2001
       Brown, Skip--Communications Assistant: January 2, 3004-
     November 16, 2005
       Brown, Will--Staff Assistant & Legislative Correspondent: 
     January 3, 2009-January 2, 2011
       Castor, Amy--Staff Assistant: May 16, 2004-March 12, 2006
       Collins, Larry Ken--Communications Director: January 3, 
     2001-March 31, 2001
       Craig, Lindsey--Legislative Assistant: January 2, 2009-
     April 2012
       Crouch, Daniel--Legislative Assistant & Senior Legislative 
     Assistant: January 16, 2007-August 7, 2009
       Czarniecki, Cary (Lani)--District Director: January 3, 
     2001-2012
       Dilly, Jonathan--Paid Intern: May 21, 2001-August 8, 2001
       Evans, Ben--Constituent Services Representative: January 4, 
     2010-2012
       Fisher, Ryan--Legislative Assistant & Legislative Director: 
     January 3, 2001-January 2, 2007
       Fortin, Kristin--Paid Intern: May 7, 2001-July 13, 2001
       Gaskill, Kily Smith--Executive Assistant: January 13, 2009-
     2012
       Gibbs, LeAnne Holdman--Staff Assistant, Legislative 
     Assistant, Senior Legislative Assistant & Legislative 
     Director: February 24, 2004-October 21, 2008
       Hawkins, Nicole--Community Development Assistant: January 
     23, 2006-April 6, 2007
       Howe, Jeff--Field Representative: January 3, 2003-February 
     28, 2010
       Hughes, Kaitlynn--Press Assistant, Press Secretary: January 
     2, 2011-2012
       Jarmula, Ryan--Staff Assistant, Legislative Assistant and 
     Senior Legislative Assistant: January 22, 2008-2012

[[Page E2009]]

       Karchner, Derek--Staff Assistant & Press Assistant: January 
     22, 2002-March 6, 2003
       Keller, Aaron--Paid Intern: June 12, 2001-July 31, 2001
       Kennedy, Elizabeth--Staff Assistant: February 23, 2004-
     April 30, 2005
       Kiefer, Chris--Legislative Assistant & Senior Legislative 
     Assistant: January 3, 2001-April 30, 2005
       Kincaid, Andrew--Legislative Assistant: January 3, 2001-
     December 31, 2001
       Lahr, Matt--Press Assistant: February 1, 2006-January 2, 
     2007; Press Secretary: May 10, 2010-January 9, 2011
       Lavoie, Matt--Staff Assistant: March 13, 2006-April 15, 
     2007
       Likens, Darlene--Caseworker: January 3, 2001-May 31, 2002
       Lloyd, Matthew--Communications Director: January 29, 2003-
     December 31, 2008; Communications Director for GOP 
     Conference: January 1, 2009-December 31, 2010; Communications 
     Director: January 1, 2011-2012
       McCarthy, Greg--Staff Director of Foreign Affairs, Middle 
     East and South Asia Subcommittee while Rep. Pence served as 
     Ranking Member: January 1, 2007-January 2, 2009
       Meeker, Autumn--Staff Assistant: June 1, 2010-2012
       Milazzo, Nathaniel--Legislative Correspondent, Legislative 
     Assistant & Legislative Director: April 25, 2005-January 2, 
     2011
       Miller, Craig--Legislative Assistant: January 3, 2004-June 
     4, 2005
       Miller, Molly Jarmu--Communications Assistant & Legislative 
     Assistant: January 1, 2002-July 28, 2003
       Miner, Ryan--Paid Intern: June 1, 2007-July 11, 2007
       Myers, Janille--Executive Assistant: January 12, 2009-2012
       Neale, Brian--Legislative Assistant & Legislative Director: 
     June 17, 2009-2012
       Pardieck, Karrie--Casework Director: January 3, 2001-2012
       Pavlik, Jennifer Marsh--Executive Assistant & Staff 
     Director: January 6, 2001-2012
       Perdew, Abby--Administrative Assistant & Administrative 
     Director: January 27, 2009-October 31, 2011
       Phipps, Andrew--Director of Community Relations: January 3, 
     2001-October 31, 2001 Piepgrass, Stephen--Communications 
     Director: April 23, 2001-August 15, 2002
       Pitcock, Joshua--Legislative Assistant, Deputy Chief of 
     Staff and General Counsel: May 11, 2005-Dec. 31, 2008; Deputy 
     Chief of Staff and General Counsel for GOP Conference: 
     January 1, 2009-June 30, 2011; Deputy Chief of Staff and 
     General Counsel: January 1, 2011-July 31, 2012; Chief of 
     Staff--August 1, 2012-2012
       Radtke, Schrade (Trip)--Legislative Director: March 22, 
     2003-December 30, 2003
       Reger, Ryan--Field Representative: January 3, 2001-December 
     31, 2007
       Shettle, John--Part-Time Caseworker: January 3, 2001-2012
       Siktberg, Alan--Staff Assistant/Field Representative: 
     February 1, 2005-February 14, 2008
       Slatter, Ian--Legislative Assistant & Communications 
     Director: January 1, 2002-January 31, 2003
       Smith, William A.--Chief of Staff: January 3, 2001-July 31, 
     2012; Senior Advisor: August 1, 2012--2012
       Son, Daniel--Communications Assistant & Press Secretary: 
     January 26, 2008-May 31, 2010
       Sulc, Kevin--Constituent Services Representative: July 9, 
     2001-2012
       Tronovitch, Ryan--Staff Assistant: April 27, 2007-December 
     31, 2007
       Wilson, Mikah--Constituent Services Representative/
     Caseworker/Administrator: January 3, 2003-October 31, 2009
       Wilson, Duncan--February 23, 2005-February 28, 2005
       Wilson, William Patrick--Legislative Director: January 2, 
     2001-December 31, 2001


Chairman Mike Pence, Republican Study Committee Staff Roster: 2005-2006

       Executive Director--Sheila Cole
       Deputy Director--Paul Teller
       Policy Director--Russ Vought
       Senior Policy Analyst--Derek Baker
       Policy Analyst--Joelle Cannon
       Research Assistant--Marcus Kelley
       Communications Director--Matt Lloyd


  Chairman Mike Pence, House Republican Conference Staff Roster: 2009-
                                  2010

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Name                       Title              Tenure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marc Short......................  Chief of Staff....  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Josh Pitcock....................  Deputy Chief of     Jan. 2009-Feb.
                                   Staff.              2010
                                  Deputy Chief of     Mar. 2010-Dec.
                                   Staff/General       2010
                                   Counsel.
Emily Seidel....................  Director of         Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                   Operations/         2010
                                   Assistant to the
                                   Chief of Staff.
Katie Strand....................  Director of Member  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                   Services and        2010
                                   Events.
Melanie Looney..................  Coalitions          Jan. 2009-Feb.
                                   Director/General    2010
                                   Counsel.
Russ Vought.....................  Policy Director...  Jan. 2009-Aug.
                                                       2010
Daris Meeks.....................  Policy Advisor and  June 2009-Aug.
                                   Legislative         2010
                                   Counsel.
                                  Policy Director...  Aug. 2010-Dec.
                                                       2010
Adam Hepburn....................  Policy Advisor....  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Chris Jacobs....................  Policy Advisor....  Jan. 2009-Jan.
                                                       2010
Andy Koenig.....................  Policy Advisor....  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Jonathan Hiler..................  Policy Advisor....  July 2010-Dec.
                                                       2010
John Gray.......................  Policy Advisor....  Apr. 2010-Dec.
                                                       2010
Sarah Makin.....................  Policy Advisor....  Jan. 2009-Mar.
                                                       2010
                                  Policy Advisor/     Mar. 2010-Dec.
                                   Coalitions          2010
                                   Liaison.
Brian McManus...................  Policy Advisor/     Apr. 2010-Dec.
                                   Coalitions          2010
                                   Liaison.
Lisa Tanner.....................  Policy Advisor....  June 2009-Aug.
                                                       2009
Matt Lloyd......................  Communications      Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                   Director.           2010
Mary Vought.....................  Press Secretary...  Feb. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Andeliz Castillo................  Deputy Press        Feb. 2009-Dec.
                                   Secretary and       2010
                                   Director of
                                   Specialty Media.
Courtney Kolb...................  Media Coordinator.  Jan. 2009-July
                                                       2010
                                  Deputy Press        July 2010-Dec.
                                   Secretary.          2010
Rachel Semmel...................  Press Assistant...  Jan. 2009-July
                                                       2010
                                  Radio/TV Booker...  July 2010-Dec.
                                                       2010
Brian Newell....................  Deputy Press        Jan. 2009-Mar.
                                   Secretary/          2010
                                   Speechwriter.
Doug Sachtleben.................  Deputy Press        Apr. 2010-Dec.
                                   Secretary/          2010
                                   Speechwriter.
Katie Hughes....................  Press Assistant...  June 2010-Dec.
                                                       2010
Emily Pickett...................  Press Assistant...  June 2010-Dec.
                                                       2010
Ben Howard......................  Staff Assistant...  Feb. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Scott Neale.....................  Staff Assistant...  Jan. 2009-May 2010
Ja'Ron Smith....................  Staff Assistant...  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Ryan Howell.....................  Visual Media......  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Bryant Avondoglio...............  Visual Media......  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
David Holley....................  Visual Media......  Jan. 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Rebeccah Propp..................  Visual Media......  June 2009-Dec.
                                                       2010
Ericka Anderson.................  Visual Media        Mar. 2009-Dec.
                                   (blogger).          2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       

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