[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING DINO DOMINIC FALASCHETTI

  (Mr. Huizenga of Michigan was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of a former colleague and, more importantly, a friend. Dino Dominic 
Falaschetti, or Dr. Dino as he was known to many of us, was born in 
Chicago Heights, Illinois.
  In high school, Dino was a standout golfer, and then in college he 
became a standout cyclist. That became a lifelong passion. To his 
friends, he was always the smartest and best dressed guy we knew.
  To say the least, Dino's academic achievements were impressive. He 
received a bachelor of science in accounting from Indiana University, 
then an MBA in finance and economics from the University of Chicago. He 
then went on to earn his Ph.D. in economics from Washington University 
in St. Louis.
  Dr. Dino went on to work for a Fortune 100 company. He also served as 
a senior economist on the Council of Economic Advisers under George W. 
Bush and taught economics and finance at not just one, but three 
distinguished universities. He accomplished all of this before our 
paths first crossed in the summer of 2015.
  Dr. Dino, with his impeccable resume, had just been hired by former 
Chairman Jeb Hensarling to serve as the newly created position of chief 
economist to the House Committee on Financial Services.
  The chairman and myself had many discussions about the economic 
impacts of what was going on, and at one point Chairman Hensarling 
said: I need an economist to help us do this.
  Dino was the man that he hired. I was in my third term and had just 
been named chairman of the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee. It 
turned out to be a match made in heaven.
  Although we took very different paths to get to the Financial 
Services Committee, we found ourselves together thinking and developing 
and debating the economic impact of legislation and the regulators in 
that space, and then going toe to toe with then-Federal Reserve 
Chairwoman Janet Yellen.
  Throughout all of it, Dino was a consummate professional, intense and 
focused, but always taking time to explain complicated monetary policy 
to anyone--and I mean anyone--who would listen, whether it be a Member 
of Congress or a junior staffer, but it was always done with a smile.
  Dino was often known to say: ``Economics is easy, but politics is 
hard.'' Boy, is he right.
  Following his stint in the people's House, Dr. Dino's career path 
would make one final stop--this time at the U.S. Department of the 
Treasury. In 2019, Dino was nominated by President Trump to serve as 
the director of the Office of Financial Research. To no one's surprise, 
Dr. Dino was unanimously confirmed and served in that position until 
2022.
  Through it all, Dr. Dino never forgot where he came from. He was 
devoted to his wife of 30 years, Suzanne; his dogs; his adopted 
hometown of Belgrade, Montana; and to others, along with serving his 
country.
  I will never forget and am deeply grateful for his work on my 
subcommittee, highlighting much-needed reforms to our financial system 
that brought about real change and some things that we are still 
debating yet today.
  His contributions to the Financial Services Committee and the House 
of Representatives will never be forgotten, not to mention the students 
and colleagues with whom he taught and worked who will always fondly 
remember Dr. Dino.
  Suzanne should know that she has been in our prayers and thoughts. 
May she experience blessings and peace as she moves forward.
  On behalf of his friends here in the U.S. House, we celebrate Dr. 
Dino's legacy and look forward to the day when we will meet him again.
  Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace.

                          ____________________