[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 114 (Wednesday, July 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H4568-H4569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THANKING KEITH STERN FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  (Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful 
House of Representatives, I rise to offer thanks to one of the most 
skilled staffers that I--and I know many of us agree--have ever worked 
with.
  After nearly three decades of service to the people's House, this is 
Keith Stern's last week on Capitol Hill. Anyone who has had the 
pleasure of working with Keith has not only witnessed a commanding 
knowledge of rules and parliamentary procedure but a commitment to 
using that knowledge to help all of us serve the American people.
  He has helped the House fulfill its critical mission at every stage 
of his remarkable career. As an eager intern fresh out of Allegheny 
College, as an L.A., as a Rules associate, as a chief of staff, as a 
floor director, and now as my senior adviser, he has brought to every 
job a reverence for this institution and for its duty to the American 
people.
  No matter what storm may have been raging--the horrors of 9/11, a 
global financial meltdown, an unprecedented pandemic, and on January 6, 
when we saw Keith muster calm, steadfast courage as he maintained order 
in this Chamber and ensured our safety--throughout it all, Keith's 
service to us and our country has never wavered. His resolve has only 
strengthened.
  Over the years, he has become a friend, a confidant, and an adviser 
to our entire Caucus. He has earned the profound respect of our 
colleagues across the aisle because whatever your politics are, true 
talent is undeniable--on the floor and on the basketball court.
  This institution is stronger, our country is better off, and our 
future more promising because of what Keith has brought to bear. I will 
always be grateful for his wise counsel that has guided me and so many 
of us.
  While Keith may never come to respect the Boston Celtics, he has 
always respected the work that we do here in the people's House. He is 
a model for anyone who enters this building looking to make a 
difference.
  Keith, you will be missed. I thank you for your work, your grace, 
your humor, and your friendship.
  To your family--Cara, Sandy, and Colleen, and your dad and Judy, who 
are here with us--please know how grateful we are for your service, as 
well.
  We look forward to all the success ahead, and know this: You will 
always have a home here in the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), 
our Speaker Emerita.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank our distinguished whip for yielding 
and for her beautiful statement about a great person who has honored us 
with his work and his patriotism in this body.
  It is my privilege to join my colleagues on the floor of the House as 
we celebrate a true public servant and a trusted aide to so many of us, 
Keith Stern.
  Keith first came to Congress in 1997 to work for Representative 
Lucille Roybal-Allard. He comes from Los Angeles, so we are very proud 
of him as a Californian--even though he is a Dodger fan, but that is a 
different story.
  Over the next three decades, he went on to hold many top jobs in the 
House, always working for the people. For  Jim McGovern, he was at the 
center of policy development on the powerful Rules Committee. As floor 
director of operations for me as Speaker of the House, he provided 
expertise for Democrats' major legislative achievements. For Whip 
Clark, he has provided counsel on major issues facing the House. He has 
been tactically, strategically, philosophically, and in every way a 
major asset.
  Working for more than 7 years in my office, he was simply invaluable. 
Throughout his tenure, Keith has offered indispensable expertise in 
House procedure. Coming from the Rules Committee, his vast 
institutional knowledge made Keith a trusted strategic resource in 
legislating.
  In every role, his service has been marked by insight, integrity, 
dependability, and unending devotion to this House of Representatives, 
even in the most trying of times.
  My staff in the Office of the Speaker were the finest group of public 
servants in the House. I always brag about them, the greatest staff 
ever assembled in the history of the House of Representatives. Keith 
was a shining example of that brilliance, dedication, and patriotism.
  Congratulations, Keith, on a job well done. Thank you for your 
leadership, which has made a difference in the lives of so many people. 
Best wishes to you, and gratitude for sharing you with us to Cara; your 
two beautiful children, Sandy and Colleen; your parents, your mom, your 
stepmom, and your dad, who are here with us in the gallery, as you 
embark on this new chapter.
  Thank you, Keith Stern, for your patriotism and your service, and 
best wishes to you as you go forward.
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), my fellow Bay Stater and ranking 
member of the Rules Committee.

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in honoring 
Keith Stern and expressing gratitude for his service to this Congress 
and to our country.
  In between working for former Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard 
and then for Speaker Pelosi and Democratic Whip Clark, he worked with 
me first as a legislative assistant and then as my top person on the 
Rules Committee.
  Keith has an incredible knowledge of the legislative process. He 
knows how to get stuff over the finish line. He has made a real 
difference.
  As my colleagues know, ending hunger has been a top priority of mine. 
In 2022, the Biden administration convened a White House Conference on 
Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. It was only the second time a White 
House convened such a conference. The first one was held in 1969. Keith 
actually wrote the first bill back in 2010 directing the White House to 
bring together experts to craft a national plan to end hunger.
  I have learned an awful lot from Keith, and he has helped me achieve 
countless policies to help people here at home and around the world. I 
will always be grateful.
  A lot of Members of Congress and a lot of staff have also benefited 
from

[[Page H4569]]

Keith's guidance, and I have talked to countless Members and staffers 
who say that he has served as a mentor to them, teaching them about 
procedure and how to use the legislative process to do good.
  There are people who began as interns on the Hill who never thought 
of making a career here but who did because of Keith.
  Keith is not only a great member of this congressional community; 
more importantly, he is a good person. He is decent, he is caring, and 
he respects this institution.
  I acknowledge his incredible family. I acknowledge his wife, Cara; 
and his incredible kids, Sandy and Colleen. They have all sacrificed a 
lot so that Keith can serve his country.
  I appreciate his many years of friendship. My wife, Lisa; and my 
kids, Molly and Patrick, adore him. They like him better than me.
  Keith, I am proud to know you. I feel privileged to be your friend, 
and I am confident you will do great things in the future.

                          ____________________