[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1214-H1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING KEITH ABOUCHAR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, as I have in the past, on 
this floor for Republican staffers and Democratic staffers to thank 
them, to thank them for their service to the House of Representatives, 
for their service to the Congress of the United States, and for their 
service to individual Members and to leadership.
  I do so again today for my friend who was with me for approximately a 
quarter of a century, Dr. Keith Abouchar. He has long served as my 
senior policy adviser on everything from oversight and financial 
services to congressional ethics and campaign finance.
  After working with me for a few years as a professional staff member 
of the House Oversight Committee and the Committee on House 
Administration, he joined my leadership staff in 2003.
  He recently retired at the beginning of this year from Federal 
service after serving this institution, as I said, for more than a 
quarter of a century.
  Keith Abouchar, Dr. Abouchar, accomplished much in that time. He

[[Page H1215]]

played an instrumental role in negotiating the Help America Vote Act, 
spending many early mornings and late nights to enact a law that The 
Washington Post later called ``the most significant piece of Federal 
election law since the Voting Rights Act.''
  Congratulations, Keith.
  Similarly, he was integral to helping us pass the ADA Amendments Act 
in 2008, which strengthened and carried out the intent of Congress for 
the ADA and for future generations.
  Keith was also a steadfast advocate for our Federal employees and 
went to great lengths to stave off repeated partisan attempts to cut 
their pay and benefits and security.
  Perhaps the most significant result of Keith's time in my office, of 
course, was his marriage to a fellow staffer whose name is Jane. Once 
coworkers, they are now parents to two incredible children, Adele and 
Henry. He cherishes his role as their father above all else.
  It is in this spirit why, when looking back on my time with Keith, I 
don't think of the list of groundbreaking laws he helped enact, though 
that list is long. Instead, I think the virtues he displayed every day 
here on Capitol Hill are what I remember.
  Keith has a doctorate in political science. He is an epic consumer of 
the printed word. You would typically find him with his head buried in 
the mountain of papers on his desk. He made frequent use of the Library 
of Congress, read multiple newspapers daily, and often left the office 
with a cache of unread papers under his arm.
  Few can match Keith's mastery of technical details behind the issues 
on which he worked. Even fewer share his ability to understand how 
these details impact Americans' everyday lives.
  That talent is rooted in Keith's thoughtful demeanor. Quick to offer 
a piece of wisdom, a word of encouragement, or an expression of 
gratitude, Keith's generosity made him a beloved feature of our team 
and of so many people in the private sector and public sector who dealt 
with him on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
  We all admired the impressive enthusiasm he brought to his work. I 
can recall many meetings where Keith would speak so quickly and 
passionately about an issue that we could hardly keep pace.
  A lifelong student of philosophy and a devout Catholic, Keith's 
earnest energy stems from his belief in the importance of our work in 
this, the people's House, and in the ethics that ought to guide each of 
us in this institution.
  Through it all, Keith maintained a great sense of humor and never 
took himself too seriously. He was serious but not serious about 
himself.
  Although I am proud to praise Keith, everyone should know that he is 
a man of deep humility and perhaps would not want me making this speech 
on the floor. He is probably squirming in his seat listening to this, 
and I hope he is--listening, that is, not squirming.
  Nevertheless, he ought to know how much we have appreciated his 
service. Who better to serve as my adviser on issues facing our Federal 
workers than a man who himself exemplifies the ideal Federal employee, 
a man of intellect, a man of integrity, a man of generosity, a man of 
humor, but a very serious, hardworking, and effective public servant.
  Madam Speaker, if Keith is listening, and I hope he is, I thank him 
for everything he has done for our country and wish him well as he 
begins this new chapter in an extraordinarily productive career.
  Madam Speaker, I bless him and his family, and I wish him Godspeed.

                          ____________________