[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 182 (Friday, December 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9097-S9098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO NELLIE FREEMAN

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, staff turnover is part of life in the 
Senate, just as it is in any other institution. But some departures are 
particularly bittersweet. Today is the last day Helen Eleanor Freeman 
will be working in my office; she is retiring after more than 23 years 
of faithful--and joyful service--to me and to former Senator Paul 
Sarbanes, to the Senate, and to the people of Maryland.
  Her name is Helen Eleanor Freeman, but throughout the Senate and 
beyond Capitol Hill, everyone knows her as Nellie. She is an avid 
volleyball player and her recreational activity led, through another 
player, to her first job in the Senate, with Senator Sarbanes, in 1989. 
When Senator Sarbanes retired and I was elected to replace him, he was 
adamant that I must hire Nellie as I filled out my Senate staff. He 
told me, ``There is no one quite like Nellie,'' and over the past 7 
years I have been fortunate to have Nellie on my staff, I certainly 
have come to agree with that assessment. Nellie is unique. She is the 
``glue'' that holds our office together. While I am happy for her, I am 
sad she will be leaving the office and I know the rest of my staff 
shares that assessment.

[[Page S9098]]

  Nellie is an avid fan of the local teams, especially the Baltimore 
Orioles. So I will use a sports analogy from baseball. Nellie is like 
the super utility infielder--the person who can play any position well, 
the consummate team player. Name just about any task or function in the 
office, and Nellie has performed it--manning the phones, sorting and 
responding to constituent correspondence, helping to select, train, and 
supervise the interns--you name it and Nellie has done it.
  So there are the official duties and there are the unofficial duties. 
With regard to the unofficial duties, Nellie has been the go-to person 
when it comes to organizing office parties to celebrate birthdays, 
afterhours social events, staff book clubs, and so forth. That is the 
``glue'' I was talking about a moment ago. The Senate can be a 
difficult place in which to work, both for Senators and staff. Nellie 
has played a critical role in helping my staff feel more like a 
welcoming family and that redounds not only to my benefit, but to the 
benefit of the Senate.
  Nellie is unfailingly calm, courteous, solicitous, kind, and happy. 
Her personality shines through and her cheerfulness is infectious, much 
appreciated, and an example for all of us. Nellie makes friends with 
everyone: constituents, colleagues, other Senate staff, Senators. She 
makes it easier and more pleasant for everyone to work here. That is no 
small accomplishment.
  Nellie is retiring today, but she is far from having a ``retiring'' 
personality so I know she will remain as busy and engaged as ever. She 
has volleyball and book clubs and volunteer activities and the Orioles. 
During the season, I didn't need to read the sports page to determine 
whether the Orioles had won the night before. If they had won, Nellie 
would be at work in the morning resplendent in black and orange attire.
  Most of all, Nellie has her beloved husband Bob Ham and the rest of 
her large family--her parents Bob and Molly Freeman; her siblings 
David, Mary, Emily, and Teddy; in-laws Jessica, Andy, and Nadia; and 
her nieces and nephews Rachel, Zach, Francesca, Koby, Saul, Ben, Molly, 
and Amelie and most of them live in the area. It is a big, raucous 
family filled with the same love and good cheer Nellie exudes.
  So to Nellie Freeman on the occasion of her retirement after more 
than 23 years of serving the people of Maryland and all Americans, 
thank you for your exemplary service and, above all, thank you for your 
friendship. Go O's!

                          ____________________