[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1069-S1070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO IYAD SHIHADEH

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to a valued and long-standing member of my staff, Iyad 
Shihadeh. After nearly 9 years of serving the people of California in 
my San Francisco office, tomorrow will be Iyad's last day.
  Iyad first joined my team in 2011 as a staff assistant and quickly 
made an impression through his diligent efforts on behalf of the 
Californians calling or visiting our office. Iyad was quickly promoted 
to the position of constituent services representative, where he 
managed as many as 200 casework requests simultaneously between the 
Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security.
  Iyad demonstrated an aptitude for problem solving on behalf of 
individuals and organizations needing help navigating the Federal 
bureaucracy. Additionally, Iyad took charge of the office's intern 
program, guiding the dozens of students each year working in the San 
Francisco office. Many of our former State interns and staff are 
indebted to him for his thoughtful career advice as they made their 
first forays into the field of public service.
  In 2017, Iyad was promoted again to be the director of constituent 
services,

[[Page S1070]]

in charge of a team of staff who receive, process, and advocate for the 
casework needs of Californians seeking assistance from Federal 
agencies. I have depended on Iyad's sound judgment, management 
capabilities, and cool head in this critical function.
  As all Senators know, your casework director needs to be a special 
person. They represent you to constituents who are in need and often 
have nowhere else to turn. I have been particularly lucky to have Iyad 
in this role; he has performed with skill and with a deft personal 
touch.
  I am proud of our casework successes under Iyad's management in 
recovering millions of dollars in benefits for those needing help with 
Social Security checks, student loans, tax refunds, veterans' benefits, 
and other payments from the Federal Government. He has worked on behalf 
of countless constituents seeking visas or other immigration benefits. 
When a constituent is in a foreign jail or has lost their passport 
overseas, Iyad has been on the case, immediately, professionally, and 
successfully.
  I am particularly thankful for Iyad's help with Maria Mendoza, a 
nurse from Oakland who is back in the United States with her children 
after Iyad's work in securing an H1-B visa; also Maria Isabel Bueso, a 
young woman from Guatemala who has lived in the United States for most 
of her life in order to receive lifesaving medication, but who was 
threatened last year with removal. Iyad worked with the family and with 
Judiciary Committee staff, and now, Isabel has been given a stay from 
deportation.
  In addition to his casework efforts, Iyad has provided guidance in my 
San Francisco office. His steady presence has been indispensable for 
three State directors and four chiefs of staff.
  Before joining my team, Iyad graduated from Purdue University with a 
double major in history and political science in 2009. He received 
academic honors, graduating in the top 10 percent of his class. 
Following his lifelong passion of international issues, he dedicated 
himself to his studies and wrote a dissertation titled, ``They Also 
Served: The Untold Story of the Egyptian Labour Corps in World War 
One.'' In 2010, he graduated from the London School of Economics, where 
he received a master of science in the history of empires. His efforts 
afforded him a deeper knowledge of economics and globalization, and 
once again, he centered his academic curiosities on foreign affairs by 
writing his thesis on ``Money, Arms, and Superpowers: British Foreign 
Policy towards the War of Attrition.''
  While I am sad to see him go, I am thrilled for Iyad's family as he 
will join them in the day-to-day management of their restaurant in 
south San Francisco. His energy, ideas, and ability to connect with 
people will undoubtedly serve his family and community well for many 
years to come. I am deeply grateful for the wisdom and dedication that 
Iyad Shihadeh has brought to our office and his dedication on behalf of 
the people of California. I thank Iyad and wish him all the best in his 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________