[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2145-S2146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Tribute to BJ Westlund

  Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, a little over 10 years ago, BJ Westlund 
made his way from Bend, OR, here to our Nation's Capital to serve his 
fellow Oregonians as a correspondence assistant in my office.
  Over the last decade, BJ moved up the ranks to legislative 
correspondent and legislative aide and then had the opportunity to move 
back to Oregon, move back to Bend, as my field representative.
  He has done an incredible job in that capacity, but he is now, after 
a number of years in that key role, ready to start a new chapter in his 
career.
  I know that I speak for everyone on my team, whether in Washington, 
DC, or in Oregon, when I say that we are thrilled to see BJ continue to 
grow and thrive in his career, but we are also very saddened to see him 
go.
  Ask anyone on the team, past or present, about BJ, and there are a 
couple of things that might jump to mind: his signature sense of style 
for one. He loves to wear a good vest. Whether here in DC or in Oregon, 
it is hard for anyone to picture BJ without a good vest. And wherever 
BJ is, you can bet there is a tasty cold mix of iced tea and lemonade 
not far away.
  And BJ has taken on the role of overseeing the Team Merkley candy 
desk while he was here in Washington, DC, making sure it was always 
stashed with really good candy.
  Before we changed offices in Hart, the legislative team was split 
between two floors. BJ was upstairs working on environmental and energy 
issues and referred to that area as ``Eastern Oregon.'' But without 
fail, you could find a steady stream of folks going up the staircase to 
stop by BJ's desk and grab a piece of candy and chat. It was our 
version of the office water cooler and a way for BJ to help build a 
sense of community between all the team members.
  That is the fourth thing that comes to mind when people think about 
BJ, is his sense of community, his welcoming presence, his ability to 
connect. It is what made him such an effective legislative staffer, 
working with groups on their priorities, advocating for critical 
appropriations funding. And for the

[[Page S2146]]

last 4 years, it is what made him such an incredible representative for 
our office throughout Central Oregon.
  When asked to share her thoughts about BJ, one of our former team 
members who worked very closely with him over many years had this to 
say:

       BJ is the calm in the storm. He is a steady, intelligent, 
     caring, supportive teammate who cares beyond measure for his 
     constituents. He has worked tirelessly to solve problems and 
     bring Oregon tax dollars home to Central Oregon.

  She continued:

       Moving to his home office during COVID while continuing to 
     be responsive to both teammates and constituents was a smooth 
     transition because BJ handles challenges with aplomb.

  And she closed by saying:

       He is a treasure and just a wonderful human being.

  And I couldn't say it any better.
  BJ is the calm in the storm. BJ is a wonderful human being. BJ does 
work tirelessly to solve problems.
  That is why, when the Bootleg fire struck Oregon last year, the third 
largest fire in our State's history, it was BJ who took charge of 
reaching out to and connecting with the communities impacted by the 
devastation. And it is a good thing he was, because community members, 
Tribal leaders, landowners, business owners, local electeds, agency 
leaders, relief agencies, and conservationists all looked to BJ to be 
there for them.
  They knew that he would reach out. They knew he would listen to what 
they needed. They knew that he would do whatever it took to be there to 
respond to those challenges.
  BJ has been the central driver on many major projects. One was 
getting funding for irrigation piping projects to help Oregon farmers 
get more water, while simultaneously putting more water back in our 
rivers, a positive environmental effect.
  A second was helping an Oregonian Tribe find justice by finally 
repealing the fraudulent 1865 treaty that robbed them of their hunting 
and fishing rights.
  A third was almost doubling the size of the Cascade-Siskiyou National 
Monument for future generations of Oregonians to enjoy, a monument that 
comes at the intersection of three critical mountain ranges and has 
flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.
  BJ is the kind of person who takes extra pride in drafting a 
customized letter to a student or making a one-off phone call to a 
constituent looking for help or advice because taking that small extra 
step can restore their faith and their trust in government.
  But anyone who knows BJ wouldn't be surprised by any of this because 
they know how intensely he believes in public service. It is how he was 
raised. It is what he saw and learned growing up from his father, who 
was a good friend of mine, Ben Westlund, whom I had the privilege of 
serving with in the Oregon statehouse before he went on to serve as an 
Oregon senator and Oregon treasurer.
  We lost Ben about 12 years ago, before BJ came to work on my team, 
but I know how proud he would be if here with us today to see all the 
great things that his son has done and will continue to do in service 
to the people of Oregon.
  So, BJ, thank you for all you have done throughout your time on Team 
Merkley to help build a better world. The team and I wish you well as 
you begin the next chapter of your life, and we can't wait to see all 
of the great things that you will continue to do and to achieve in the 
years to come.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Vermont.