[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 65 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H1593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MOURNING THE PASSING OF BOB PHELAN

  (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. 
McClintock of California was recognized for the remainder of the hour 
as the designee of the majority leader.)
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of Bob 
Phelan of Modesto, a valued and beloved member of my congressional 
staff for these past 3 years. His was a remarkable life and one that 
should inspire every American to realize the opportunities that freedom 
provides.
  When Bob's father died, he was forced to drop out of high school to 
work odd jobs to support their family. For nearly 10 years, he worked 
as a crab cracker at Alioto's restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf in San 
Francisco.
  Searching for a better life, he came to Modesto where his outgoing 
personality made him an ideal salesman and a manager for such well-
known companies as Keebler cookies and Earl Scheib.
  There in Modesto, he met his wife of 31 years, Alta, and raised their 
family.
  When his son joined the Navy in the Gulf war, Bob's attention turned 
to politics. He became a devotee of Rush Limbaugh and began working for 
local candidates. He ended up starting his own political consulting 
firm. Ultimately, he served as a trusted adviser to state assemblymen 
and then-State senator and also county supervisor Tom Berryhill for 
nearly 15 years.
  When reapportionment brought my district into Stanislaus County, I 
was fortunate to bring him into my congressional office where he served 
ably as my district representative.
  His work ethic, his love for people, his sunny disposition, and his 
simple decency made him an exemplary figure in our community.
  He was always the picture of fitness and health until he was 
diagnosed last year with cancer. He never let that slow him down, and 
until the very end he continued to attend to his duties.
  He was an exemplary father, husband, grandfather, citizen, and human 
being, the kind of person who holds a community together even through 
trying times, and he will be particularly missed.
  Mr. Speaker, it was a great loss for our community, a great loss for 
our office, but most of all, a great loss for his family. We mourn his 
passing today.


                        Honoring Marlee Lauffer

  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, on May 17, the College of the Canyons 
Foundation will honor Marlee Lauffer with the 2025 Silver Spur 
Community Service Award in recognition of her longtime philanthropic 
work.
  I first met Marlee as a high school student leader in Tustin, and she 
was my first and only choice as chief of staff when I was elected to 
the California State Assembly in 1982.
  Somehow, she was able to clean up every mess I made in those years. 
She continued in that capacity until Newhall Land and Farming Company, 
the largest land developer in California, recognized her talents and 
offered her a senior position in their company when she was still in 
her twenties.
  Well, four decades later, she is still in her twenties, and her 
energy and devotion to the community has never been stronger. I am 
deeply gratified to see her honored by her community and to join in 
their accolades of her work.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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