[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 189 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7232-S7234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO SENATOR BROWN'S CASEWORK TEAM

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the people in my 
office who are on the frontlines of our work serving the public: my 
casework team. Our casework team is the best in the country.
  They have spent every day working to solve Ohioans' problems and make 
their lives a little bit easier. There was never an issue too complex, 
no case too daunting, no lengths we wouldn't go to serve an Ohioan in 
need.
  Whether it was ensuring that a Social Security check came through on 
time, getting veterans the benefits and care they earned from their 
service, helping farmers and small businesses access Federal assistance 
programs, facilitating passports and visas, or working to connect 
constituents with a Federal Agency, this team is essential to our work 
for Ohio.
  I am proud of the fact that in the 18 years I have been in the 
Senate, our casework team has assisted nearly 150,000 Ohioans with a 
Federal issue.
  John Patterson has led our outstanding casework team throughout this 
term and has served in our office for all 18 years.
  Fresh off my Senate campaign in 2006, John joined my Cleveland office 
as a staff assistant. After just 2 years,

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he moved into a caseworker and scheduling role. Throughout his decade 
of service as a constituent advocate, John's deep commitment to the 
people of Ohio was clear, and at the beginning of this last term, John 
began leading casework team as our constituent services manager.
  For the last 6 years, John has led the team through some of our 
busiest years, including when new challenges and cases arose during the 
pandemic.
  John manages one of the largest casework teams in the country and 
setting them up for success. He gives thoughtful advice and lends an 
ear or a helping hand, while simultaneously maintaining his own 
caseload, often working late nights and weekends to get the job done.
  That is because service is more than just his job; it is his life's 
mission. Service is at the heart of everything he does. He makes sure 
the constituent is at the heart of everything we do and always 
celebrates his team's successes. The casework stories he shares on our 
Friday staff calls brighten everyone's day and remind us why we are 
here.
  Our office has received so many letters and voicemails thanking John 
for the work he did.
  In one recent case, John was assisting a man from Akron who also 
owned a working farm. Norfolk Southern owned a rail crossing that ran 
right in front of the entrance to his farm and was in serious 
disrepair. He was afraid someone would get stuck on the tracks trying 
to get to work on the farm and be struck by a train.
  For nearly a year, John worked every angle trying to get Norfolk 
Southern to fix its dangerous crossing. And because of his persistence, 
this October, John finally received word--and tremendous thanks--from 
the Ohioan that the crossing was fixed.
  Those are the kinds of results John got.
  One note we got from an Ohioan this summer, whom John helped in a 
passport emergency, said, ``Without your inquiry, this would not have 
happened.'' We hear that over and over about John, on issue after 
issue.
  John also understands that casework is more than just helping Ohioans 
with individual problems; good casework informs good policy.
  Whenever John recognized patterns in our casework, he brought them to 
the larger team. When Iraq and Afghanistan veterans came to my office 
with their healthcare challenges, we wrote and passed the PACT Act. 
Today, tens of thousands of Ohio veterans and a million across the 
country have access to the healthcare they earned during their service 
because public servants like John Patterson went to bat for them.
  In addition to his work, John Patterson leaves a lasting impression 
on his colleagues and the people he served.
  His colleagues love hearing stories about his travels, including his 
annual trip to the Achiever Fest in Louisville; that is a celebration 
of ``The Big Lebowski'' for those unaware. And he is known throughout 
the whole office for his love of rollercoasters that sends him to theme 
parks around the country.
  His colleagues speak of his kindness and attentiveness and the joy he 
brought to his team, the Cleveland office, and my entire staff.
  I thank John for his years of service to the people of Ohio.
  Joe Henry started as an intern in my office and rose up through the 
ranks to become a leader on our casework team. For 18 years, he has 
been a role model to young staff with an interest in public service.
  Joe joined my Cleveland office in 2007 where he first got a feel for 
working directly with constituents, answering their phone calls, 
receiving their letters, and greeting them at the front door. He then 
became a staff assistant in my Columbus office in 2008 and rose 
quickly.
  In 2009, Joe joined the casework team as a constituent advocate and 
has dedicated his career to serving thousands of Ohioans ever since. 
Joe's an expert, plain and simple. He is an institutional source of 
knowledge for so many, both on my team and in other parts of the 
Federal Government, and his attention to detail and restless 
persistence are admired by all.
  Joe manages one of the most difficult casework portfolios in our 
office. During the pandemic, Joe served as a liaison for every Ohioan 
who didn't get their stimulus check from the IRS. He helped thousands 
of constituents navigate student loan payment deferral and student loan 
forgiveness programs. He worked with small businesses and guided them 
through Federal pandemic assistance, like the Paycheck Protection 
Program that kept many Ohio small businesses open. No task was too 
tall, no letter too long, no case too complex for Joe Henry.
  An elderly couple from Hamilton, OH, got answers from the IRS because 
of Joe Henry.
  Grieving parents dealing with the loss of their son, who were 
convinced that their government had forgotten them, had their son's 
student loans forgiven because of Joe Henry.
  The sheriff's deputy in Mansfield, who lives across the street from 
the house I grew up in, was able to pass on his G.I. benefits to his 
son because of Joe Henry.
  Public service is more than just Joe's job. His passion for it shines 
through in everything he does. He started Propel, our annual student 
leadership conference for college and community college students. In 
his free time, he teaches civics at the Ohio State University's John 
Glenn College of Public Affairs and fosters the next generation of 
public servants.
  With a quick wit and a mastery of sarcasm, Joe has made a lasting 
impact on his colleagues and the people he has served. He is an avid 
fan of the Columbus Crew, and he and his husband John can often be 
found cheering them on at games.
  Joe Henry, thank you for your service to our office and to the people 
of Ohio.
  And our casework team wouldn't be complete with all the advocates who 
have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of their Ohio 
neighbors.
  Paulanne Oakes has been a fixture of our casework team for nearly 17 
years. She carries limitless wisdom which she shares with all who get 
the chance to know her. Paulanne was the strongest advocate for those 
who are often overlooked and never got knocked down. She is warm and 
caring, with a calming presence that made her a natural at serving 
constituents dealing with frustrating and stressful situations. Her 
attitude and spirit brought joy to all who worked with her.
  Blair Austin helped more than 1,700 constituents get their passports 
in less than 2 years, always with a smile on her face and an eagerness 
to help.
  Christina Corrigan, the newest member of our casework team, served 
with distinction and worked to help immigrants and families in our 
State.
  Brad Deane has served Ohioans for a decade and a half, demonstrating 
tremendous care for everyone he serves, and diligently working to 
secure resources for Ohio communities through Federal grants.
  Christian Hill dutifully managed one of the most emotionally 
challenging casework portfolios, working with law enforcement agencies, 
victims of violent crimes and their families, and those who have been 
targeted by scams. He is also one hell of a driver.
  Sue Klein, one of my dearest friends, leaves her mark on so many of 
my staff. Her care for our interns and younger staff, and her 
management of our military service academy nominations process has 
expanded so many on our team's faith in our country. Just don't get 
between her and the TV during a Browns or a Guardians game.
  Zak Lingo lights up any room he walks into and has served Ohioans 
with distinction.
  Seth Pringle has worked in my office since 2016, advocating for 
Ohioans. He is also a member of the Ohio National Guard and served in 
the U.S. Army. We are grateful for his service to our State and our 
country.
  Evan Schalon is wise beyond his years. With patience, integrity, and 
a deep intuition, he showed up on day one ready to serve.
  Logan Snell, our intake specialist and one of the newest members of 
our casework team, quickly integrated into the office and made himself 
an integral part of the team.
  Meghann Tatz is exceptional. Whether in our Lorain or Columbus 
offices, she was always a strong ally for any Ohioan who walked in the 
door.
  Meghan Vogel has been an outstanding public servant. The word we 
heard most often when reading her

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feedback from constituents: ``superstar.''
  Casework is not glamorous. It doesn't get big headlines or show up in 
the papers. It is often some of the hardest work we do in my Senate 
office
  Every day, our advocates reach out to Ohioans who may be rightfully 
frustrated that their government isn't working as it should. They 
haven't gotten their Social Security; they have been denied certain 
benefits; they don't understand what the IRS is asking of them.
  But our caseworkers have been there to listen and to help. And even 
more, our caseworkers have dedicated their time and their careers and 
their lives to making Ohioans' lives a little bit easier. We put 
constituents at the center of everything we do. And that is what our 
caseworkers dedicated themselves to every day in my office. I thank 
them all for their service to Ohio and to our country.

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