[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H6887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING JON DeWITTE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Huizenga) for 5 minutes.
Mr. HUIZENGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to say thank you. Thank you
to a chief of staff, a colleague, a confidante, and a special friend.
Jon DeWitte has been my chief of staff for 11\1/2\ years. In fact,
when I was elected in 2010, Jon was the first call that I made. He was
my first hire, and we have been on this journey together the entire
time.
Now, Jon has had a great track record here in Washington, D.C., as
well. He worked for the Education and Workforce Committee. He then went
on to work with former Congressman Dave Camp. Then when I left the
position of district director from my predecessor, Peter Hoekstra, Jon
came and filled that role and filled that position for 8 years until I
got elected, when I asked him to come back to Washington and act as my
chief of staff.
Well, Jon--two redistrictings, majority, minority, government
shutdown, impeachments, war, peace--we have seen just about all of it
and have lived that textbook of political science. I couldn't have done
it without him, and I know he could not have done this without his
family.
I want to say a special thank you, as well, to Jodi, Nathan, Katie,
and Josh for the sacrifices that they made--the sacrifices that they
have made--for late nights and early mornings, for travel, for all the
different things that go into being an excellent chief of staff. He has
been one.
Now, I know that there are great paths ahead for Jon, and great paths
ahead for all of you, but I do know that our friendship will not end.
Team Huizenga is always Team Huizenga, and Jon is a vital part of that.
So once again, I thank Jon for his service, not only to me, but more
importantly, to the constituents of the Second Congressional District
back in Michigan and service to his country.
A job well done and I thank him.
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