[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1580-S1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Tribute to Eric Feldman

  Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary public servant and Michigander, Eric Feldman.
  Since my first days serving in the U.S. House of Representatives more 
than 12 years ago, Eric has served as my chief of staff. I still 
vividly remember him coming to my home just a couple of weeks after my 
election to interview for the chief of staff position.
  I was immediately impressed by his extensive knowledge of American 
politics and his passion to serve the people of the State of Michigan.
  But to fully know Eric is to know his family's story and how it 
shaped the man he is. All four of his grandparents survived the 
Holocaust. His maternal grandmother was imprisoned in Auschwitz and 
Bergen-Belsen, among others. His maternal grandfather was in a forced 
labor camp in Plaszow. His grandparents met and married in the Bergen-
Belsen concentration camp. They were liberated from there and remained 
after it was converted to a displaced persons camp following World War 
II. That camp is where Eric's mother was born.

  His grandparents and mother immigrated in 1949 to Detroit, where his 
grandfather worked as a janitor at Ford Motor Company during the day 
and worked as a tailor at night. His mother won a full scholarship to 
the University of Michigan from Ford Motor Company as part of a program 
for employees.
  Eric's paternal grandparents fled Poland on the eve of the Nazi 
German invasion. They survived the war as slave laborers in Siberia, 
where Eric's father was born. Following the war, they immigrated to 
Israel before settling in Detroit. Eric's father went to Wayne State 
University, thanks to the GI bill, after serving honorably in the U.S. 
Air Force.
  After immigrating to Detroit, Eric's family worked hard, and they 
were able to achieve the American dream. There is no question that 
their life experience and their journey instilled in Eric a sense of 
service and devotion to country.
  As a freshman Member of Congress, I was fortunate to have Eric on my 
team. He brought with him extensive political and policy experience, 
having worked for Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Leader Nancy Pelosi, and 
Rahm Emanuel. He built on that experience, leading our office with 
steady, unwavering leadership, brilliant vision, and wise counsel.
  Through four reelections--including my election to the Senate and 
reelection last year--and many crises impacting Michigan and our 
country, I entrusted Eric to help ensure that we were able to come 
together, solve tough problems, and ultimately deliver results. He 
never flinched. I could always count on Eric to work with our team to 
develop creative ideas to tackle challenges or empower staff to make

[[Page S1581]]

sure that we were on the leading edge of issues critical to Michigan.
  He has guided my office through countless high-profile events and 
crises: the great recession and auto crisis, the Flint water crisis, 
several government shutdowns, the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6 
attack on the U.S. Capitol, and two impeachment trials. Through it all, 
Eric has provided stability and focus--a focus on working in a 
bipartisan manner to pass important legislation and to make progress 
for Michigan and for our entire country.
  Last week, I was humbled to be recognized by the Center for Effective 
Lawmaking as the most effective Senator in the 116th Congress. 
Recognition of this sort does not happen without having an incredible 
team. Eric played a critical role in helping me enact 10 bills into 
law--the most of any Senator from either party over the last 2 years.
  And I know that Eric will tell you, without a doubt, that there is no 
``I'' in team. As a leader, Eric has focused on hiring talented staff, 
both in DC and across Michigan, staff that humbly, selflessly, and 
effectively serve the people of Michigan each and every day. With 
Eric's laser focus on what is best for Michigan, together with our 
team, we have secured record funding to protect the Great Lakes, worked 
to increase security at our Nation's borders, expanded apprenticeships 
and skills training, saved taxpayer dollars, and made the Federal 
Government more efficient, all the while standing up for Michigan 
workers, including those working in our auto industry.
  Eric is always on the leading edge, and he has distinguished himself 
through his work with Michigan's auto manufacturers and automotive 
stakeholders. In particular, Eric has helped drive policy efforts 
focused on innovation and emerging technologies so that in the near 
future, self-driving vehicles will not only be safely deployed and save 
thousands of lives on our highways but also be developed and built in 
Michigan and in the United States, creating good-paying jobs for the 
next generation of workers.
  At every step of the way, through all of his hard work, Eric has 
carried himself with his characteristic enthusiasm and passion. It is 
only fitting, as an alum of the University of Michigan and a fervent--
very fervent--Wolverine fan, he has, and I quote, an ``enthusiasm 
unknown to mankind.'' Whether it is policy, politics, casework, or an 
issue important to constituents, there is no doubt that Eric approaches 
it with keen interest and with high energy and that he will think 
through every single possible angle.
  But Eric has been much more than just a chief aide. Colleen and I 
feel incredibly fortunate not only for all that Eric has done to lead 
my office and deliver for the people of Michigan; we count on him as a 
confidant and a dear friend.
  Eric, you will be missed dearly as you depart for your next endeavor 
in the private sector. But I am grateful for what you have built, and I 
know that it will endure--a culture of teamwork, hard work, 
productivity, and a commitment to what is best for Michiganders
  Eric, Colleen and I know that you have devoted countless hours to a 
job that you love while balancing the two most important roles in your 
life: being a loving husband and a father. I have been proud to watch 
you celebrate many of life's milestones over the years, including the 
birth of your two beloved sons, and I will certainly never forget your 
eldest son Avi's birthday on November 4, 2014, the day Michiganders 
elected me to the U.S. Senate.
  Eric, Colleen and I wish you much success, and we hope you enjoy this 
next chapter with Dena, Avi, and Ethan. Know that Colleen and I will 
always be thankful beyond measure for your service and for your 
leadership and that you will forever be part of Team Peters.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Dakota.
  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able to 
complete my remarks before the vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Mr. Thune pertaining to the introduction of S. 797 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. THUNE. I yield the floor
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to complete my 
remarks before the vote is called.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. MURRAY. And for the information of the Senators, I will speak 
for about 7 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you.