[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 159 (Friday, September 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE HOUSE CAREER OF MR. ANDY FLICK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID J. TRONE

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2023

  Mr. TRONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of Mr. 
Andy Flick, my former Chief of Staff, as he departs the People's House 
after 14 years to serve Vice President Harris as her new Director of 
Legislative Affairs.
  When I was elected to Congress in 2018, I had achieved success in 
business, but I was a novice at operating in the halls of Congress. I 
had big ideas about what our country needed, and I knew I needed the 
right team in place to execute and help me be as effective a legislator 
as I possibly could. It was recommended I speak with Andy, who had 
significant experience in the House, an impressive professional 
network, and was brimming with ideas on how to run a Congressional 
office.
  I hired Andy and we were off and running. Andy knew how to both move 
legislation and manage a team to bring out their potential. Our best 
conversations revolved around my experience running a business and 
applying it to management on Capitol Hill. From Andy, I learned from 
his insights into politics and procedure. As a manager, Andy ran our 
team with professionalism and empathy, and consistently pushed the team 
to achieve our shared goals. Andy helped me realize one of my top 
priorities in Congress when we founded the Freshman Working Group on 
Addiction--which has since grown into the Bipartisan Mental Health & 
Substance Use Disorder Task Force, a 140-member group dedicated to 
overcoming the opioid epidemic. We signed four bills into law my 
freshman term and chalked up more wins in the 117th Congress.
  As a true talent, Andy was eventually offered a position he couldn't 
refuse--to become Executive Director of the New Democrat Coalition. 
Over the three years he served in my office, Andy proved himself a 
consummate leader by hiring and training a team that operated with his 
same dedication to public service--and so was able to take the new 
opportunity, knowing he left the office in good hands. Similarly, he 
leaves the New Democrat Coalition for another opportunity, leaving 
behind a Coalition that is stronger and more impactful for his 
leadership.
  I will continue to support Andy to achieve all his professional and 
personal goals. His hard work and innovative thinking have earned my 
respect, and his commitment to public service has earned my admiration. 
He will always be my first great advisor in public office, and a true 
friend.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the staff of my office past and present, I 
celebrate Andy's 14-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives 
and wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.

                          ____________________