[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 197 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10205-H10206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1315
                       RECOGNIZING JEREMY DEUTSCH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington 
(Mrs. McMorris Rodgers) for 30 minutes.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
thank my chief of staff, Jeremy Deutsch. Every day Jeremy reminded me 
and my team to show up like it is day one, you know, eager to give it 
your best, you are driven by that desire to delight people, a customer-
obsessed culture. And for the past 10 years, as my chief, Jeremy has 
led by that very example.
  Now, Jeremy never wanted to come to Congress. He questioned why 
anyone

[[Page H10206]]

would want to come to D.C. Too many prisoner guards resistant to change 
and can you really make a difference.
  We first met when he actually moved from Ohio to Washington State 
after I had been elected minority leader in the State house. And when I 
decided to run for Congress, he said: ``Sorry, Cathy, but I am not 
interested in national politics.''
  Then I won, and I asked him to join me in D.C., and again he said: 
``You know, no, I am not going to Congress.'' But in 2006, I was in a 
very competitive race, and I needed him, and he came and helped me win. 
And even after he rescued my campaign, he still didn't want to come to 
Congress. He said: ``I will help you campaign, Cathy, but that's it.''
  Finally, in 2008, Jeremy said ``yes.'' I was just elected as vice 
chair of the conference and eager to bring a more tech-forward approach 
to how we engage with the American people. I was told at the time that 
it was unconventional to have a chief of staff who had never worked on 
Capitol Hill, and I said: ``That's exactly right. Jeremy is 
unconventional.'' In a world where people are quick to tell you ``no,'' 
why something can't be done, he embraces change, and because of all of 
that, he brings a visionary approach to politics.
  When I was vice chair of the Republican Conference, Jeremy helped me 
launch Sunshine.GOP. There was no other website like it to track 
earmarks and every single dollar within the stimulus package.
  Now, you may remember, in 2009, the Obama administration also had a 
website, but it couldn't account for billions of dollars, and it showed 
jobs and taxpayer dollars going to districts that didn't even exist. 
With Sunshine.GOP, we delivered an innovative resource that the 
American people could trust and count on, and it was the best tool 
available to foster transparency and accountability as to how taxpayer 
dollars were being spent at the time.
  In 2008, I also pitched to Minority Leader John Boehner a plan to 
bring our Members' offices into the 21st century. We called it ``Moving 
the GOP from PC to MAC,'' and Jeremy was instrumental in executing my 
vision to use innovative technology, to build trust with the American 
people by reaching them on the platforms that they use every day.
  When I became chair of the Republican Conference, we turned the 
conference into a comprehensive messaging operation. We focused on 
training, modernizing, equipping, and promoting our Members. Many said 
that it wouldn't work to bring cutting-edge strategies to Congress, but 
all along the way, Jeremy helped prove them wrong, even when it came to 
literally bringing creativity to our walls.
  Mr. Speaker, it is because of Jeremy that chalkboard paint--yes, 
chalkboard paint is now an approved paint color for all congressional 
offices. When the CAO first told us ``no,'' he asked five times 
``why?'' That is one of our things; ask why five times. And he got them 
to ``yes.''
  When you are inspired and you imagine what is possible, it is amazing 
what you can accomplish. Never one to take credit or to think that he 
was the smartest person in the room, Jeremy brought together experts 
and positive disrupters to challenge us to be better and to be more 
innovative--people like Simon Sinek, Mark Cuban, Jennifer Hyman--she is 
the CEO of Rent the Runway--editors from Glamour, ELLE, and others. Who 
would have thought that people like this would be collaborating with 
House Republicans? But because of Jeremy, it happened.
  It is Jeremy who established the Knish Club on Capitol Hill. It is a 
gathering of Republican Jewish Members and staff who come together over 
lox and bagels.
  But what is really at the heart of Jeremy's success is his passion 
for people and his vigilant integrity. He is driven by a mission for 
those that we serve, and it is not just what you do. It is how you do 
it.
  And that is why I am so grateful for the team that we have built 
together. Every day we work and live by our values. It is about serve, 
seek excellence, everybody matters, responsibly own it, vigilant 
integrity, and embrace change. It is because of those values that we 
have become a model office on Capitol Hill.
  Just this year, we received the Democracy Award for outstanding 
achievements and innovation, and we have embraced technology to better 
serve our district. This wouldn't have been possible without Jeremy's 
vision and my team.
  Now, there is a God component and a people component to all success, 
and it is Jeremy who often reminded us that God is with us in 
everything that we do. He is an incredible person with a big heart, and 
during the good times and the tough times, he brought us together. He 
would make us laugh. He brought joy to every day.
  I remember when Jeremy surprised us by dressing up as Santa Claus for 
our holiday party. Here is this Jewish guy who doesn't celebrate 
Christmas bringing joy and cheer to my staff. There probably isn't 
anyone on Capitol Hill quite like Jeremy Deutsch, but for the sake of 
this institution, I hope that is not the case, because he has made a 
difference here.
  Jeremy, thank you for your 10 years of service to the people's House, 
for your guidance, your leadership, and, of course, your friendship. 
May God be with you in everything that you do.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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