[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 120 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING THOMAS GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 2015

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thomas Griffin, a 
very intelligent, talented, and motivated member of my staff who 
transitions this week from my office to begin law school next month at 
the University of Oregon.
  Hailing from Central Oregon, Thomas was born at Mountain View 
Hospital where his mom was a pharmacist. He was raised on a third 
generation family farm between Culver and Lake Billy Chinook and became 
involved in the family grass and vegetable seed company.
  Thomas graduated from Culver High School, where he was a state 
champion in football, student body president, and valedictorian of his 
class of 54. He was also involved in the FFA, rising to be President of 
the state organization in March of his senior year in high school.
  He spent the next year on the road, visiting more than 50 FFA 
chapters and facilitating agricultural leadership and awareness 
workshops for over 5,000 high school students. It was through FFA that 
Thomas made his first trip to Washington, D.C., and first met me during 
the state convention in La Grande in 2009.
  After his dedicated leadership as FFA state president, Thomas started 
college at Oregon State in 2009. He followed in the footsteps of his 
parents, both proud Beaver alums. He graduated in 2012 with a degree in 
environmental economics, policy and management, and a minor in 
agricultural business management.
  I originally hired Thomas as an intern in my office, and since then 
he has served in my office as a Legislative Correspondent and currently 
as a senior Legislative Assistant. When Thomas first applied for an 
internship, he was recommended to me by several top leaders in the 
agricultural community. Once he started, I quickly took note of 
Thomas's dedication, work ethic, and passion for serving constituents 
in Oregon's Second Congressional District. This led me to hire Thomas 
to work in my office full time after he graduated from Oregon State. In 
my office, he quickly acclimated to the multi-faceted job he was hired 
to tackle.
  Thomas has been assisting me primarily on issues related to federal 
agriculture, forestry, natural resources, and water policy. With 53 
percent of the land in Oregon being owned and managed by the federal 
government, these issues are of critical importance to the economy and 
people in my congressional district. Thomas's good work and assistance 
helped me pass federal forestry reform legislation through the House of 
Representatives for the first time in nearly 10 years, in addition to 
several other pieces of legislation that were Oregon focused.
  As Thomas proved that he was capable of handling more responsibility 
in my office, he has since added other issue areas to his legislative 
portfolio including education, trade, energy, and financial services. I 
have been impressed as Thomas has approached these new responsibilities 
with a can-do attitude, demonstrating a high level of commitment and 
integrity. Thomas has my complete confidence in his abilities, 
something I hear echoed from my Chief of Staff and others that he works 
with.
  Now, Thomas is headed to the University of Oregon for law school. He 
plans to focus on environmental and business law to help ensure that 
our farmers, ranchers, and foresters can focus on what they do best: 
producing the best food, fiber, and fuel in the world.
  On a personal note, as a dedicated Oregon Duck myself, I am eager to 
see Thomas--a lifelong Oregon State Beaver--join our proud Duck 
community.
  Thomas will be sorely missed by me and my team, but we plan to stay 
in close touch and will enjoy seeing his successes down the road. With 
that, Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Thomas the best of luck as 
he heads West and ``Go Ducks!''

                          ____________________