[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 139 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MY CHIEF OF STAFF, TIM BERTOCCI, FOR HIS EXCELLENT WORK ON 
           BEHALF OF MINNESOTA'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEAN PHILLIPS

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2024

  Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my former Chief 
of Staff, Tim Bertocci, for his work on behalf of every constituent in 
Minnesota's Third Congressional District. In May, Tim departed my 
office for a new opportunity serving as the Director of External 
Affairs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special 
Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, and I could not be more proud or 
grateful for his service.
  Tim has an impressive and extensive background in public service and 
leadership. He began his career after graduating from the U.S. Military 
Academy at West Point and was commissioned as an Armor officer. During 
his nine years of military service, Tim served in various leadership 
positions, to include serving in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom 
III. Tim also earned a Master of Arts degree from the Security Studies 
Program at Georgetown University in 2008. He has worked in various 
roles including the Senior Operations Advisor for the Joint IED Defeat 
Organization and as a Foreign Service Officer in Havana, Cuba.
  Tim's experience and relationships on the Hill from his time working 
in former Congressman Tim Walz' Office were invaluable as we stood up 
an office and built a team of bright, motivated, and radically 
hospitable public servants. He helped lead us all through a series of 
unexpected and unprecedented events. On top of his duties as Chief, he 
also served as an instructor at the United States Naval Academy where 
he taught a class on irregular warfare in the Political Science 
Department.
  Staff members of our office past and present all proclaim that Tim is 
the true embodiment of a servant leader. A trusted advisor and 
confidant, Tim always put the needs of the team before himself. He even 
used a tiny, converted bathroom as an office instead of the large 
office normally dedicated to the Chief, to allow staff to have a 
dedicated space they could hold meetings in. For Tim, success is never 
about individual accomplishments or prestige, but instead about those 
around him reaching their highest potential individually and 
collectively.
  Tim set a culture of camaraderie and support across the team, always 
prepared with a shout out or well timed, supportive gif in the Teams 
chat. He had an unparalleled ability to create compromise and identify 
a novel path forward after taking into careful consideration all the 
options. Though he rarely mentioned it, his record of military service 
brought a much-needed perspective and calm confidence to our team. Even 
in the most difficult congressional moments--it was clear Tim had lived 
through much worse. Tim's humility and expertise were unmatched during 
those difficult times.
  The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to 
have Tim's dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment, and he 
will be dearly missed. However, I'm extraordinarily happy that he will 
continue to serve the nation at the U.S. Department of Defense. I wish 
Tim all the best in his future endeavors and thank him dearly for his 
23 years of public service to this Nation--and many more to come.

                          ____________________