[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H3992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING AND HONORING DR. JEAN FRUCI

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jean Fruci, a 
professional staff member with the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 
Jean is also one of my most trusted advisers, a former coworker in my 
personal office, and a true friend.
  Jean first came to the Hill in the 1990s as an AAAS fellow, after 
receiving her Ph.D. in soil science from Cornell University. She had 
already served in several Member and committee offices before I met her 
in 2009 on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Her brilliance 
and integrity were evident.
  After a brief stint away from Capitol Hill to care for her ailing 
parents, Jean returned to congressional service as my legislative 
director. She was a valued guide and coach as I worked to earn a place 
on the Energy and Commerce Committee in early 2013.
  Within just a few years, my colleague, Chairman Pallone, was smart 
enough to recruit her from my personal office to join the committee, 
where she would serve both the Subcommittees on Energy as well as 
Environment and Climate Change, which I now chair. Her work in that 
capacity has strengthened the quality of our lawmaking and helped 
countless Americans in ways most will never realize.
  Over her congressional career, Jean has served on multiple conference 
committees, helped authorize and reauthorize numerous vital programs, 
provided needed oversight, and negotiated many deals. In her exemplary 
service, she has reminded us time and again of the importance of our 
work in Congress and its potential to help the people we serve.
  Jean is a legendary negotiator. I know this because my colleague from 
Illinois, Mr. Shimkus, would often remark as such. He knows, however, 
that she is also fair, honest, and does her homework.
  Jean, as a STEM professional, your skills and knowledge made me and 
this institution better.
  We need more STEM professionals, more Jean Frucis, to guide us in our 
policymaking, as the world and our economy become increasingly complex.
  Mr. Speaker, Jean has done so much for this House, far beyond what I 
can convey in these brief remarks. I know all of my colleagues join me 
in wishing her and her husband, John, a retirement full of health, 
happiness, travel when safe to do so again, and fulfillment.
  You have earned that and more, Jean, and for that I humbly say thank 
you for what you have done for this institution and for all Americans.

                          ____________________