[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 76 (Friday, May 6, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E460-E461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MARTHA HEIDE FOR HER SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHWEST OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 6, 2022

  Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, I want to pay tribute to a long-time staff 
member and dear friend, Mrs. Marty Heide, who left my office at the end 
of April to begin her well-deserved retirement.
  Marty and I have worked together for over 33 years. She started her 
career as an employee at my downtown Dayton, Ohio law firm, and worked 
in my office during my two terms as mayor of Dayton.
  After I was elected to Congress in 2003, Marty spent the next 19 
years serving the citizens of Southwest Ohio as a caseworker in my 
district office, and as District Outreach and Director of Special 
Events for Greene County.
  Marty Heide has touched the hearts of everyone who has had the good 
fortune to know her and to work with her. She has earned a reputation 
as an experienced, knowledgeable and sympathetic caseworker who never 
hesitated to go above and beyond the call of duty to help a 
constituent, listen to their concerns, work toward a solution--and more 
often than not, a successful outcome.
  Marty was responsible for organizing the annual Congressional Art 
Competition, to showcase the artistic talents of high school students 
in the Dayton area. She also directed my Military Service Academy 
Board, spending countless hours mentoring some of our best and 
brightest young people, and selecting the future leaders of our Armed 
Forces for nominations to our Nation's military academies.
  Marty has helped literally thousands of my constituents cut through 
the maze of the Federal bureaucracy--whether they were seniors having 
trouble obtaining their Social Security or Medicare benefits, or 
helping to expedite the renewal of a passport, or solving problems with 
tax returns, or helping a future citizen obtain a green card.
  Madam Speaker, I cannot tell you how many times a happy constituent 
has told me about how Marty helped them, or a close family member, 
resolve a problem.
  The president of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra once contacted my 
office with an urgent request for an expedited visa to allow a musical 
group from Canada, Jeans n Classics, to perform for Dayton's annual 
Summer in the City Musical Festival. He sent me a message, saying that 
``Marty did a fantastic job in getting this issue resolved quickly and 
efficiently. We are very, very grateful for Marty's prompt, helpful, 
and courteous assistance.''

[[Page E461]]

  A retiree from Beavercreek recently needed help gaining access to 
funds from his Thrift Savings Plan, which were needed to cover vital 
living expenses during the coronavirus pandemic. Marty jumped right 
into action, and the matter was cleared up in a very short period. 
``Without Marty's skillful intervention,'' he wrote, ``I may still be 
waiting for TSP to complete my requested transfer of these funds.''
  After Marty helped expedite the renewal of his son's passport for a 
trip to Tokyo, a man from Dayton wrote: ``My son and I couldn't have 
completed the Transpacific business/personal trip without Marty's 
outstanding professionalism and stick-to-itiveness. We were able to 
bond, spending quality time with each other that'll never be 
forgotten.''
  On behalf of myself, and on behalf of the countless Miami Valley 
residents she has helped, I thank Marty Heide for a job well done. I 
will be forever grateful for the friendship and support she has given 
to me, the staff, and the people our congressional district. Her 
presence in my office will certainly be missed. I wish her and her 
husband, Randall, a happy, healthy, and productive retirement.

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