[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Tribute to Zoe Aguillard

  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a staffer on my 
team, Zoe Aguillard, who has served the people of Louisiana for 7 
years, the fourth-ranking member of my office, a staffer whom I relied 
upon during my time in the Senate, who is now leaving for what she 
thinks to be greener pastures.
  It is always bittersweet when a staffer leaves. I had been teaching 
medical school for many years before coming here. You see talented 
younger people come on board, and you know they have a tremendous 
future ahead of them. So if they move on to that tremendous future, you 
can't cry; you must celebrate.
  But, nonetheless, you regret losing someone who has grown so much, 
both as a person, but also in her achievements and in the affection 
your entire family has for her.
  Zoe started as a scheduler, somewhat green. She quickly became the 
boss, making everything go on time. She had the honesty to tell me it 
would go even better on time if I showed up on time. But she had a real 
ability to speak honestly in a very tactful way to modify my behavior.
  Whether it was meetings with constituents, townhalls, events, 
speeches, she worked behind the scenes to make it happen. And, 
importantly, she became very sensitive to the fact that I am a family 
guy who would like to be home for my grandson's graduation from fourth 
grade and would like to spend time with my wife--all those things that 
are beyond scheduling and move into trying to truly understand how 
someone lives their life.
  The President of the Senate right now and all my colleagues know a 
scheduler and operations director makes or breaks your office. They 
help to squeeze the most out of every single day. And things you might 
find impossible, they find a way to get it done 7 days a week, every 
day of the year.
  Examples: Zoe has been key in helping to plan the Senate's National 
Seersucker Day. I look forward to seeing my colleague from Vermont 
tricked out in his Seersucker suit for this year's Seersucker Day. It 
looks great on TV. She helped host Thursday Lunch Groups for my 
Republican colleagues and many other things we have done in-State and 
here to benefit our State and our Nation. Whether they realize it or 
not, nearly every office in the Senate has worked with Zoe at some 
point.
  The difference she has made during my tenure cannot be summarized in 
one speech. But I don't get emotional because I will continue to work 
with Zoe. She is moving back to Louisiana--the State she holds in her 
affections--to the benefit of our State, our country, and our fellow 
humans. I wish her the best, and I wish her dog Louie the best. They 
will both be missed in our office.
  (The remarks of Mr. Cassidy pertaining to the introduction of S. 4329 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. CASSIDY. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Markey). The Senator from Maryland.