[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5827-H5828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FAREWELL TO JULIE NICKSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Lee) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge my 
chief of staff, Julie Little Nickson, who, after 22 years of service in 
the House and 20 years in my office, will soon be departing the Hill.
  Let me take a moment to acknowledge Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who 
Julie worked for prior to coming to my office and for her gracious help 
with Julie's transition to my office.
  Julie joined my staff in 2002 and quickly distinguished herself as a 
skilled manager and leader of Team Lee. She undoubtedly got to know 
many district constituents and hit the ground running.
  Her keen understanding of the intersection of policy, politics, and 
procedure has helped drive so many accomplishments through the decades. 
She has also ensured that my constituents understand the relationship 
between our work in Washington, D.C., and their daily lives.
  From her work advancing my efforts as coauthor of the President's 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, back in 2003 to the development 
and enactment of the historic American Women Quarters act in 2020, 
Julie has been the strategic guiding force propelling my agenda. She 
makes sure that the inclusion of staff is prominent in everything I do 
and that staff is recognized and is central to her work.
  She has been the key and steady leader of my work to prevent the wars 
in Iraq and Afghanistan. Of course, that work grew and expanded to 
include numerous efforts to end our forever wars and rein in unchecked 
executive war powers, including my work to repeal the 2001 and 2002 
AUMFs.

[[Page H5828]]

  As my chief of staff during my time as both the chair of the CPC and 
later when I chaired the Congressional Black Caucus in 2009 and 2010, 
Julie helped build coalitions and advanced our policy and 
communications agenda forward. This was really not an easy task, but as 
always, she rose to the occasion.
  Her two decades of appropriations experience has helped me deliver 
significant resources to my congressional district over the years, 
including from major infrastructure and transit projects, critical 
research and healthcare funding, and so many projects that have helped 
improve the lives of my constituents.
  Her knowledge of both domestic and international Federal spending 
programs and policies has helped me champion and support the growth of 
vital human needs programs along with domestic and international health 
and development.
  As a manager, Julie has always led by example with her deep 
commitment and mission-driven approach to the work. She has helped and 
led, shaped, and developed numerous staff, interns, and many fellows 
over the years, and they have soared in their professions and what they 
do after they leave my office.
  In a very determined yet congenial way, she has made sure my district 
staff and D.C. staff work together as one seamless staff, reflecting 
the values and commitment to public service and constituent casework as 
Team Lee.
  I have had the privilege to know Julie through many phases of her 
life. When she came to my office, she was single with no children. She 
got married to a wonderful man, Mike Nickson. Later, when she became 
pregnant, we were really all happy for her and Mike but wondered when 
she would stop working. She worked until the last minute, and we all 
were delighted that she had a beautiful daughter, Cate, who will turn 
16 next month.
  Cate has become a progressive, free-spirited young lady. Of course, 
Cate spent many years in my office through the years and developed a 
keen sense of social justice through watching and listening to her 
mother as she executed our agenda for the people.
  As the daughter of Sandra and Harell Little, who instilled such a 
strong commitment to public service, Julie has been a caring and loving 
daughter and has always demonstrated an amazing work-life balance. I 
thank her parents for raising such a brilliant and passionate daughter.
  As Julie enters her next phase of life, she will now work directly to 
save lives as a representative of the American Cancer Society Cancer 
Action Network. She has always been about life-affirming efforts, and 
no doubt she will continue with her life's mission as she has answered 
God's call for this next chapter of her life.
  We wish her good luck. We wish her God's blessings.
  And just a reminder, Julie, that once a member of Team Lee, always a 
member of Team Lee.

                          ____________________