[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CHARLES E. HARMAN, JR.

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a man who has 
been an invaluable member of my team for 6 unforgettable years, my 
friend and chief of staff, Charlie Harman.
  Charlie first came to Washington in 1970. He took an internship with 
Senator Richard B. Russell of Georgia, to be near his then-girlfriend 
Carol, now his wife of 40 years.
  This internship sparked a passion for public policy, politics, and 
the United States Senate Charlie could never extinguish.
  After his internship with Senator Russell, the Atlanta, GA native 
graduated from my alma mater UGA, and took a job as a savings and loan 
officer with Fulton Federal Savings.
  However by 1980, Charlie longed to return to politics and began 
working for Senator Sam Nunn in Georgia. He finally fulfilled his dream 
of returning to Washington, D.C. when he was asked to serve as Senator 
Nunn's chief of staff in 1987. He did so until 1992.
  He then returned to the private sector as president of the Georgia 
Chamber of Commerce. In 1996, he left the Chamber and was named vice 
president of public affairs for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia.
  Seven years later, after Senator Paul Coverdell died tragically and 
unexpectedly, Zell Miller was appointed to fill the unexpired seat. 
Charlie stepped in to be his chief of staff--organizing his office and 
hiring his staff.
  Miller ran for the seat in November 2000 and was elected to serve the 
final 4 years of Coverdell's term. Charlie returned to Georgia and his 
job at Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
  As you can see, Charlie has been an integral part of Georgia's U.S. 
Senate history, and his was a name that came up often when I found 
myself in need of a chief of staff in 2007.
  When I interviewed Charlie, I remember asking him what his hobbies 
were. He replied, `I don't have a hobby, I just like to work.' That 
turned out to be true.
  I remember telling him my personal policy is to hire good people and 
then leave them alone to do their job.
  In this respect, there are never days when I worry my chief of staff 
would not be in the office, or a task will not be done. He is 
passionate and dedicated, and I am better able to focus on my tasks 
knowing he is there.
  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that ``Big jobs usually go to the men 
who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.''
  I do not see that in Charlie. He places emphasis on all aspects of 
the job--big and small.
  He walks away from a room full of CEOs to answer the front office 
phones, so the staff assistants can have a break.
  He makes constituent mail a number one priority, ensuring all 
Georgians receive a quality response by week's end.
  And he is never too busy to talk to folks visiting from Georgia, or 
staffers who are having personal troubles.
  Anyone would be amazed to see how he manages such a high-pressure 
environment with efficiency, focus, and vision. Charlie inspires 
confidence in the staff and he inspires loyalty.
  In my 19 years in Congress, I have had the good fortune of having 
many talented staffers. You never forget the work they have done for 
you.
  On August 5, Charlie will be leaving my office to join Emory 
University as its Vice President for Government Relations. I 
congratulate Charlie and wish him well in his new position.
  Charlie has made a difference in thousands of lives around the Hill, 
around this town, and around Georgia. I will never forget all he has 
accomplished, and he will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________