[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 184 (Sunday, October 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING ELLEN M. BLOOM

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, earlier this year we lost one of our 
Senate alumnae--a constituent and a personal friend--Ellen Michelle 
Bloom. She was a devoted mother and wife, who dedicated her career to 
public service and advocating for consumers. While she was not a 
household name, her 40-year career has benefited the lives of millions 
of Americans.
  Ellen began her extraordinary career while a student at the 
University of Maryland, interning for Senator John Tunney before 
joining the staff of a newly elected Senator, Howard Metzenbaum. Her 
first job was in the mailroom, answering constituent mail, learning 
about the concerns of Ohioans and figuring out how to navigate the 
bureaucracy.
  Over the ensuing 18 years on Senator Metzenbaum's staff, Ellen rose 
through the ranks, at a time when female aides were a distinct 
minority, to become his legislative director and an expert in consumer 
protection. As her many friends and colleagues have written in the 
months since her passing at age 65, Ellen was not interested in 
attention; she was only interested in results. A long-time friend and 
colleague wrote of Ellen, ``It's amazing how much you can get done when 
you don't care who gets the credit.'' That was Ellen.
  From provisions in the 1984 Cable Act mandating Equal Employment 
Opportunity standards, to promoting children's television legislation, 
to regulations requiring lavatories on commuter airplanes, to warning 
labels on large buckets designed to protect small children from 
drowning, Ellen's work was far-reaching. She advocated for the use of 
car seats and bicycle helmets and was among a small group who sought to 
bridge the ``digital divide'' long before it became a popular phrase. 
She believed in equality and fairness and sought ways to incorporate 
these principles into public policy.
  When Senator Metzenbaum retired, Ellen was recruited to join the 
Clinton administration, first at the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration, then as the Commerce Department's Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, and lastly as Deputy Chief 
of Staff for Commerce Secretary William Daley, where her 
responsibilities included the 2000 Census.
  Following her public service career, Ellen joined the Washington 
staff of Consumer Reports. As Director of Federal Policy and head of 
the D.C. office, she led the organization's advocacy in support of the 
Affordable Care Act, fought for stricter vehicle emission standards, 
promoted expanded consumer product labeling, and worked on many other 
issues that protected the safety and health of American consumers.
  At a time when so many question the ability of the government and 
public advocacy to improve the quality of life for our citizens, 
Ellen's work stands as an antidote to cynicism. She recognized that the 
work of democracy is hard but always had faith that we could make 
progress.
  Her legacy of good works is a testament to that conviction and an 
inspiration for all. She was also an example of how to face adversity 
with courage and fortitude.
  While her professional accomplishments were many, her greatest pride 
was her family: her husband David Bushnell and their children Michael 
and Jenna Bushnell, her many nieces and nephews, her brother and 
sister-in-law, her cousins spread across the country. Her life was too 
short--way too--short; but it was full of love and rich in the ways 
that gave it depth, joy, and consequence.
  We were lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate public servant. 
I was fortunate to count Ellen as a dear friend. She made our country a 
better, safer place. She may be gone, but her many accomplishments live 
on and will continue to protect and benefit Americans for generations 
to come. We need many more Ellen Blooms, but she was one of a kind.

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