[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 185 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING J.D. GROM'S SERVICE TO THE NEW DEMOCRAT COALITION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 21, 2021

  Mr. KILMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of J.D. 
Grom, an exceptional staffer and someone I'm proud to have called a 
colleague and partner.
  J.D. left Capitol Hill as the longest-serving Executive Director of 
the New Democrat Coalition, and I consider myself lucky that he held 
the role during my Chairmanship of the Coalition.
  We talk a lot in the NewDems about ``the future of work'' and the 
fundamentally changing nature of our economy. Our Nation--and our 
world--have seen massive, disruptive economic change. I've even seen it 
personally. My first job was working at Westside Video in Port Angeles, 
Washington. As J.D. has heard me say countless times, it kind of bums 
me out that the words ``Be Kind, Please Rewind'' mean nothing to my two 
kids. They live in this extraordinary world of seemingly unlimited 
streaming video and on-demand content. That's good for them but was 
really disruptive if you worked at a video store. There are countless 
other examples. The reality is that today's kids are growing up in an 
economy that is globalized, interconnected and rapidly changing. That 
can lead to growth and prosperity, but too often leaves a swath of 
workers and even whole communities struggling to compete.
  To J.D.'s credit, under his leadership, the NewDems kept these issues 
front and center. We worked closely together on issues like workforce 
development and lifelong learning accounts, portable benefits and 
placebased economic development.
  J.D. never took his eye off the economic ball, and we're better for 
it as a Coalition. More than that, J.D. was a kind leader and a strong 
mentor to his staff. He's someone I could always look to as well for 
sound judgment and clear-eyed, strategic advice.
  This Coalition has never been stronger, thanks in no small part to 
the service of J.D. Grom. I wish him luck in his new role. To J.D.--as 
well as to his wife, Stacy, and his two kids, Emma and Jack, from whom 
we borrowed J.D. on many late nights and weekends--I offer my 
congratulations, my best wishes, and my sincere thanks for years of 
service.
  The Force is strong with this one. We're expecting big things from 
J.D. ahead.

                          ____________________