[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 142 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JERRY CALENGOR

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, now, some of my staff can do their work 
from the relative peace and quiet of the office, but the last two folks 
I would like to thank today are dug in on the frontlines.
  First, my deputy press secretary, Jerry Calengor. As some of our 
colleagues may recall, I have had good luck in the past hiring sharp 
communicators from the State of Minnesota. It must be something in one 
of those lakes.
  Serious pride in his roots, along with a wicked sense of humor, 
helped him hit the ground running in the busy bullpen where much of 
this team spends their days. He wasted no time becoming an essential 
member of the research team, particularly when it came to carefully 
vetting nominations.
  But it didn't take long to recognize Jerry's aptitude for dealing 
with the press more directly, and I am proud of the way Jerry has grown 
as a trusted adviser I turn to as I prepare for interviews, including 
our weekly stakeout. Appropriately, he still keeps an old hockey helmet 
at his desk for days when the incoming barrage from the press corps is 
especially thick.
  Jerry is fortunate that his wife Grace tolerates this rough-and-
tumble day job. As I understand it, she was willing to road-trip back 
from their wedding so he could be in the office for a busy Monday.
  On top of it all, Jerry is responsible for taking a last careful look 
at just about every public statement and press release I make, and then 
making sure people actually see them. I am grateful to have his good 
judgment and eagle eye double-check our work.
  So, Jerry, thank you.

                          ____________________