[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING J.D. GROM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. HIMES

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 2021

  Mr. HIMES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize J.D. Grom, the 
Executive Director of the New Democrat Coalition, who recently left us 
to serve his country in a new capacity at the Department of Commerce.
  As Democrats, we all have fight in us. That's never been the hard 
part. We look at the world around us, see that things can be better, 
and know that smart people, working hard together can create a better 
future. But how do we best focus our efforts? It can seem easier, at 
times, to amplify our differences, drawing battle lines and 
characterizing our political opponents as existential threats. But that 
approach is rarely, if ever, in the best service of the nation.
  The more constructive path--one that I truly believe will lead to a 
more equitable, sustainable, and better future--requires not only a 
deep understanding of the policy challenges we face but the willingness 
to make progress where we can with allies we recruit and convince along 
the way.
  J.D. Grom spent his time as the Executive Director of the New 
Democrats committed to this important mission. He never allowed 
partisan politics to come before the essential work of helping the 
American people. Staying focused on this responsibility, while managing 
a large and diverse caucus of big personalities, is no easy task. But 
it is one that J.D. carried out with the utmost competence, humor, and 
success, all while being a caring and present husband to Stacy and 
father to Jack and Emma.
  I wish him great professional success in the future, at Commerce and 
beyond. As he moves into this new phase, he should take pride in the 
fact that he has left the New Democrat Coalition in a stronger position 
than he found it, and has set an inspiring example of leadership for 
his successors.

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