[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 195 (Thursday, December 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING MATTHEW WASHINGTON ON HIS DEPARTURE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2022

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise as Chair of the Appropriations 
Committee, and on behalf of the Members of the Committee, and its 
staff, to pay tribute to Matthew Earl Washington as he departs federal 
service after a lengthy career in the House of Representatives.
  Originally from North Carolina, Matt's distinguished career in the 
House began in the office of the late civil rights icon Congressman 
John Lewis of Georgia as a Legislative Assistant. He later served as 
Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman John Olver of Massachusetts when 
the congressman served on the Appropriations Committee. His extensive 
knowledge of America's security, transportation, and infrastructure 
earned him the position of Staff Director of the Transportation 
Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee of the House 
Committee on Homeland Security where he adeptly served as the lead 
staffer on all Subcommittee matters for Chairwoman Sheila Jackson-Lee.
  Since then, for the past nearly 15 years, Matt has served the 
Appropriations Committee with great diligence. The Committee's longest 
serving African American staffer on the Democratic side, he began his 
impressive tenure as a Professional Staff Member on the Defense 
Subcommittee where he oversaw the programs and funding that support 
active duty and reserve personnel. He later served as a Professional 
Staff Member for the full committee, ensuring smooth legislative and 
procedural processes for the Committee and Member offices.
  Following these roles, equipped with unparalleled knowledge of the 
Committee, Matt took on the role of Clerk for the Military Construction 
and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee in 2011 becoming the first African 
American staffer to hold the position. He skillfully managed and 
negotiated all aspects of the Subcommittee's jurisdiction, and his 
leadership has helped protect our national security, uphold our 
commitment to servicemembers, veterans, and their families, and rebuild 
critical military infrastructure. In 2019, Matt began serving as Clerk 
of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, expertly leading the 
Subcommittee to enormous legislative triumphs in an attempt at making 
Congress work better for the American people.
  His years of experience and expert knowledge of the Appropriations 
Committee made him an excellent addition to my Front Office staff when 
I became Chair of the full committee, where he has since served as 
Deputy Staff Director for the past two years. He has been at the helm 
of the investments we have made to help working families and vulnerable 
people all over our nation. In his unique role, he has been 
instrumental in the implementation of Community Project Funding, 
coordinating spending between all 12 subcommittees, and representing 
the Committee in front of critical partners during negotiations. And 
personally, he has been a trusted advisor throughout my first term 
leading this Committee.
  While we will miss Matt greatly, we are excited for what the future 
holds for him. I wish Matt, his wife Chandini, and their children Yara 
and Zayn all the best, and extend my gratitude to his family for 
sharing him with us for so many years.
  Our Nation is safer and this body is stronger because of Matt's 
tireless work. I join all Members of the Appropriations Committee who 
he has worked with in saying we will miss his expertise greatly. The 
Appropriations Committee is a family--one made up pf all the staff and 
Members who serve and have served this great institution. We are all so 
lucky that he will forever be part of this distinguished group. 
Congratulations on a remarkable federal career. His country is 
endlessly grateful for his leadership, service, and dedication.

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