[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 139 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5755-S5756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO KEN FLANZ

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today, I wish to salute Ken Flanz, my 
longtime legislative director and senior-most legislative policy 
adviser who is retiring from the Senate, for his nearly 30 years of 
devoted congressional service.
  Next month, he joins his loving wife, Meghan, in her hometown in 
southern California. I was honored to attend their wedding in 2003 at 
St. John's Church near the White House, with their families and 
friends.

[[Page S5756]]

  Ken has been an integral part of my legislative team since he became 
part of my staff in 1997 during my service in the U.S. House of 
Representatives. He joined my staff after working for former 
Representative Martin Hoke, from 1993-1997 and former Representative 
Bill McCollum, from 1990-1991. His tenure on Capitol Hill has a wide 
range, having worked in both legislative bodies, in every Congress 
stretching back to the 101st Congress, five Presidential 
administrations, leadership shifts, and staff changes. His integrity, 
dedication, and longevity have served my State and our Nation well 
throughout.
  Beyond his leadership on my senior management team, Ken has taken on 
tremendous responsibilities, as I have counted on him to cover many 
different issues over the years. He has been a trusted counsel, 
providing detailed work and advancing my policy agenda on diverse 
matters, including appropriations, international trade, intelligence, 
foreign affairs, energy, the environment, government reform, and the 
Federal judiciary. This includes his work covering my role as a 
Commissioner on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and 
Reform and leadership with the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group for 
many years. Ken understands the nuance, skill, and discretion needed to 
effectively navigate work with other countries and differing 
viewpoints, and he has taken on the challenges with tact and diplomacy.
  Ken also assisted with my assignments on at least six committees, 
including Senate Finance; Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; 
Senate Environment and Public Works; Senate Judiciary; Senate Indian 
Affairs; and the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer 
Pension Plans. During my tenure in the House, he also assisted me on 
the House Energy and Commerce and Agriculture Committees.
  He has always been ready and able to fill gaps and cover what needs 
to be done as he has supported and filled out the staff. In addition to 
his principal issue assignments, he has covered taxes, healthcare, and 
education when staff vacancies occurred or the need required. Simply 
put, the complete list of policy issues he has handled throughout his 
time in Congress is extensive and likely too long test.
  Ken can also point to achievements in helping me enact legislation 
relating to environmental protections, defense initiatives, Tribal 
sovereignty, land conveyances, and delivering assistance to Idaho 
communities and institutions. He was also instrumental in advancing and 
confirming executive branch and judicial branch nominees important to 
Idaho.
  As legislative director, Ken has managed, led, and mentored over five 
dozen legislative team members and agency fellows. He has trained and 
guided so many young legislative minds into successful careers and 
shared his consummate understanding of the legislative process and 
policy efforts.
  It is telling on how much Ken has valued his relationship and 
mentorship with those on his staff when he requested, as a farewell 
gesture, photos with each one who could be available during his last 
month in my office. Without exception, they all trust and admire Ken 
and point to his guidance as part of their successes today.
  He has an extraordinary depth of knowledge and understanding that has 
been invaluable and will be deeply missed in and beyond the Senate 
community where he has worked with many colleagues over the years. As a 
Stennis Congressional Fellow and a Woodrow Wilson Foreign Policy 
Fellow, Ken deepened his knowledge and skills that have made him 
effective in his commitment to serve the public.
  I extend my deep gratitude to you, Ken, for the more than 21 years 
you have devoted to serving as member of my staff and the 28 years you 
have worked in Congress. Thank you for your thoughtful guidance all of 
these years. I wish you and Meghan all the best as you head West and 
start your next chapter.

                          ____________________