[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 124 (Thursday, September 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6635-S6636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO WILL GOODMAN

  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, as many of my current and even former 
staff can tell you, I am fond of saying that I, like other Senators, am 
merely a constitutional impediment to my staff. But I don't mind being 
just a constitutional impediment. Mine is one of the finest staffs on 
Capitol Hill.
  Tomorrow my office will say goodbye to Will Goodman, one of the 
finest. He is going to be leaving for a challenging new opportunity. 
Will joined my staff in January of 2010 as a legislative fellow from 
the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We barely got him to his desk 
and he had to jump right in with both feet and hit the ground running. 
He was a valuable member of my legislative team, working on that year's 
debate over the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'' and the 
ratification of the New START treaty. Importantly, Will was a trusted 
staffer, a willing ear, and a source of support as the Vermont National 
Guard prepared to deploy for Afghanistan.
  When his fellowship ended, I was pleased when Will accepted my offer 
to become my senior defense adviser. In that role, he was instrumental 
in helping to pass the National Guard Empowerment Act, one of my 
longtime legislative priorities. Will has been a go-to aid for many 
Members and their staffs, particularly for the more than 80 Members of 
both parties of the Senate National Guard Caucus, which I am proud to 
cochair.
  I know that Vermonters appreciate Will's steadfast commitment to the 
State, to the many veterans who live there, to the Vermont National 
Guard, and to our State's economic development. He has always been 
eager to help and has always been a fierce advocate for Vermonters.
  After nearly four decades in the Senate, I have had dozens of 
staffers come

[[Page S6636]]

and go, but we like to think they always remain part of what we call 
the Leahy Family.
  Will's own family is growing. He and his wife Marisha and their 
wonderful son Mark await the arrival of their newest member early next 
year, though Marcus--as we call him--will be the Big Brother. As his 
family grows, he is always going to be part of ours.
  Marcelle and I wish Will the best.
  I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coons). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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