[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO SHEILA DWYER
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, as the 114th Congress begins, I would
like to pay tribute to a Connecticut native who retired at the end of
the last session. Sheila Dwyer, who served as Assistant Secretary of
the Senate since 2007, will be deeply missed by many. She worked
closely with former Majority Leader Harry Reid and with current
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who had passionate, strong praise for
Sheila's dedication and devotion to this institution. Both recognized
that she became known as the ``Mayor of Capitol Hill'' for the skill
and poise she consistently demonstrated in handling the needs of 100
Senators at a time.
Sheila was born in Waterbury, CT, and she has remained very proud of
her roots in our great State throughout her career. While still in high
school, she served a semester as a Senate Page, and she later returned
to spend her career here. After working for such luminaries as Senator
Chuck Robb of Virginia, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York,
and Senator Fritz Hollings of South Carolina, she joined Senator Reid's
office.
Along the way, Sheila amassed an impressive record of accomplishments
that included overseeing logistics for two national Democratic
conventions, assisting in Presidential inaugurations and countless
ceremonial events, and coordinating the myriad departments and behind-
the-scenes operations that keep the Senate running. Throughout, she has
built and maintained friendships with Senators and staff from all
corners of the Capitol and the country. Leader Reid spoke quite
movingly about how, in addition to her professional achievements, she
has been a strong source of personal support for his family and others.
My wife Cynthia and I are honored to know Sheila, and we wish her all
the best as she begins the next chapter of her life. I know that all of
Connecticut joins me in congratulating her on her exemplary
achievements here in the Senate.
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