[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 9, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H7060-H7061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FAREWELL SHUWANZA GOFF

  (Mr. McCARTHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, having served as both the majority and 
minority floor leader, I have understood the pressure of the job. 
Scheduling the floor, handling procedural fights, and getting 
legislation passed is truly 24-hour, 7-day-a-week work. And on the 
other side of the aisle, no one knows that better than Shuwanza Goff.
  It has been my privilege to get to know her during her 12 years on 
the Hill, the last 7 of which as floor director for Leader Hoyer. 
Without a doubt, she has done this job as well as or better than any 
staffer I have ever known. She has put in her time and effort to build 
strong working relationships with Members and staff on both sides of 
the aisle.
  Shuwanza has earned our respect because of her skills, her work 
ethic, and her expertise on the floor. There are times I have lost the 
debate because of her expertise.
  I certainly like to think that we have tested her abilities over the 
past 2 years with some of our motions to recommit. There are times that 
I have heard, and it has been conveyed to me, the differences of 
opinion with me in the strongest of terms, but never did she ever do it 
in a personal way.

  The House is better because of her service.
  But even if we haven't made her job easy, we always knew we had to be 
prepared, because we saw the impact that her expertise could have.
  Many a time to many of us, people across this country ask if we have 
friends on both sides of the aisle. I refer to Shuwanza as my friend. 
She will be my adversary, but she is my friend. She has my respect 
because she earned it. She has my friendship because she has earned it. 
She has respect from both sides of the aisle because of the way she 
carries her life and the character of who she is.
  She has left an impression on this side of the aisle, and I can tell 
you she has certainly left an impression on this institution.
  We get elected and we come here, but her character is one of having a 
servant's heart and of caring for this Nation. There are things that 
divide us in our philosophy, but we are not divided because we are 
Americans. We do not divide ourselves because we care to serve.
  I know Shuwanza believes in a more perfect Union because of the 
devotion that she has had and despite the times and frustration that 
this body can give, but she does it because of what she believes in.
  Finally, Shuwanza, speaking as a father, I know that you have brought 
immense joy and pride to your parents and to your sister along the way. 
I know they have rooted for you and watched every step of your career, 
a career that has seen you walk in the well of the House of 
Representatives on a daily basis and serve as a trusted adviser to our 
Nation's leaders, and you have done it well. My hope for you is that 
you do not give that up, that you continue to serve the Nation that you 
love so greatly.
  On behalf of myself, my team, and the Republican Conference, I want 
to

[[Page H7061]]

say thank you. There are times I wouldn't say thank you that you beat 
me on the floor, but I respected how hard you worked at it. I am a 
better Member because you made me prepare more, knowing you were on the 
other side.
  I thank you for your counsel and for your friendship. You will be 
missed on this floor, but we will still be friends.

                          ____________________