[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBERING THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF JUDY SCHNEIDER

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2024

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of 
Judy Schneider. The stories told at her retirement reception in 2019 
were full of laughter and more than a few tears. Talk about a life 
well-lived.
  Judy started her public service career working on committees in both 
chambers focused on congressional reform. She then became an analyst at 
the non-partisan Congressional Research Service. As each of us well 
knows, Judy then went on to befriend, mentor, and provide so much more 
to Members of Congress and their staff as a specialist on all things 
Congress over the next four decades.
  Funny, foul-mouthed, and just opinionated, Judy had a deep love of 
both democracy and Congress. Whether a Staff Assistant or a Chief of 
Staff, a Member of the House or a Senator, she consistently passed 
along her love and knowledge for how the game is really played in 
Congress.
  Through her work, Judy sought to develop not only an educated Member 
or an educated congressional staffer, but to live up to what the 
Founding Fathers envisioned and expected of an educated constituency.
  But the gift Judy shared and taught so many through her exacting 
lectures and conversations was to train each Member and each staffer so 
Congress functions better, so that democracy functions better.
  It is my true hope that wisdom is never lost by those who have the 
honor of working in this institution and complex.
  There have been 56 Speakers of the House of Representatives and 45 
Presidents of the United States. There has only been one Judy 
Schneider.
  To ascribe so many positive qualities to one individual might be seen 
as the usual gilding of the lily. In the case of Judy, it was simply 
the truth. My life, this institution of Congress, and our country are 
better off thanks to her 43 years of Congressional service and life 
here on Earth with us. May her memory be a blessing.

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