[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO ANTONIA FERRIER
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to Antonia Ferrier on
my staff. After 4 years of trying to keep this tough old bird in line,
she'll be leaving my office in the coming days. She will most certainly
be missed.
Antonia first came to Capitol Hill to work for the former
distinguished majority leader and my good friend, Bill Frist from
Tennessee. After that, she went on to serve on the staff of another one
of our former colleagues, Olympia Snowe. Now, Maine is pretty different
from Tennessee, but I'm sure it felt like a bit of a homecoming for
Antonia, who is from Massachusetts. After more than 3 years with
Senator Snowe, Antonia made her way across the Capitol Rotunda to work
for Senator Roy Blunt during his time as the House Republican Whip.
For a Senate purist like Antonia, one House Member probably felt like
enough, but she then went on to serve John Boehner during his time as
the House Republican leader. Finally, we were able to woo her back on
this side of the Capitol to come be a member of our team.
As I said, Antonia is a Senate purist. She understands the Senate's
role in our system of government, she appreciates the personalities and
complexities of those that are honored to serve here, and she knows how
much the work we do here impacts the lives of Americans from Tennessee
to Maine, and Ohio to Utah. And, given her experience, she understands
the House very much as well.
I'll deeply miss having Antonia around, not only for her sage advice
and counsel, but also for her wit and sense of humor, and her
willingness for straight-talk. I think she would say that the hardest
part of her job is protecting me from myself. That's a tough job for
anyone. And, I have to say that she's been up to the task, even during
those times when I've made it particularly difficult.
I want to thank Antonia for her service to me, to Utah, and to the
Senate over these last several years. She has been an amazing asset,
and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
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