[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 176 (Friday, November 2, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         DEPARTURE OF MATHEW WEIDINGER FROM THE WAYS AND MEANS 
                            COMMITTEE STAFF

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                  in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 2, 2018

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a trusted 
advisor, a good friend, and by any standard one of the best to ever 
serve the House Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Mathew Weidinger.
  With all of Matt's insight into how this Committee functions and his 
knowledge of its many storied traditions, it'd be easy to think he 
began his career under Chairman Fitzsimons when this Committee was 
founded in 1789, but that just goes to show how truly valuable Matt is 
around here.
  For over 25 years, Matt has played an important role in the major 
accomplishments of this Committee. From each hearing, markup, and piece 
of legislation our Committee has led, Matt has been there, ready to 
serve and willing to go the extra mile to make sure the job not only 
gets done but done well. His name and reputation are nearly synonymous 
with the Ways and Means Committee.
  Serving five different GOP Chairmen--Archer, Thomas, Camp, Ryan, and 
Brady--and being an integral part of our Human Resources and Social 
Security Subcommittees throughout his tenure, Matt's voice and 
unparalleled attention to detail has helped shepherd through laws that 
have directly benefited the lives of millions of children and families. 
From foster care and adoption, to child support, disability, and 
unemployment--especially the Personal Responsibility Work Opportunity 
Act and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act--it has always been 
about what is best for taxpayers and families.
  Most notably, Matt is our last connection to the successful 1996 
welfare reforms that set consistent policies for non-citizens and led 
to the greatest increase in single mothers returning to work and 
decrease in poverty. We learned as a nation that in expecting more, 
more can be achieved, and we seek each day to build upon that success.
  When the Great Recession hit our nation, Matt again provided the 
focus on work and expectation that was needed, reforming the 
unemployment insurance program in ways that will improve the success of 
the unemployed for decades to come.
  Any Member of this Committee going back almost three decades could 
tell story after story about Matt's sharp intellect, incredible recall, 
and dedication to serving the American people. Matt is a true patriot 
who could have picked a career in any field. Instead, he chose to 
serve. We are all so grateful for that choice.
  With the many demands from his busy schedule, Matt has never ceased 
being a mentor to dozens and dozens of staffers, all who today would 
testify that they are better at their jobs because of Matt.
  As I was first joining this Committee, outgoing Chairman Bill Archer 
was singing Matt's praises and advising me to seek his insight on 
welfare reform and the other myriad programs that make up our 
Committee's work on Human Resources. Chairman Archer gave me good 
advice, and my respect and admiration for Matt has only grown 
throughout the years. I have turned to Matt for continued guidance and 
judgement as we've tackled historic issues like tax reform and health 
care.
  On behalf of our entire Committee, I want to express my deepest 
gratitude to Matt. For the countless late nights and early morning's 
Matt spent here, I would like to especially thank Matt's family, his 
wife, Jean, and his eight children JC, Andrew, Cara, Hannah, Erin, Joe, 
Mike, and Claire. I wish Matt and his entire family all the best as he 
starts the next chapter of his life. Our Committee will not be the same 
without Matt, but it will forever be a better place because of his 
service.

                          ____________________