[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FAREWELL TO CONGRESS

  (Mr. Johnson of South Dakota was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, a leader's strength is 
never his own. It is borrowed from the courage, the talent, and the 
integrity of those who walk with him. The last 8 years have proven that 
to me time and time again. I have had many blessings in life, but none 
quite like the people who I have worked with.
  I will start with our brilliant casework team: Andrea Rose-Prehn, 
Reid Rasmussen, Danica Allmer, and Aimee Hoyle. They have each helped 
hundreds of South Dakotans get the treatment they deserve from our 
Federal Government. The work is complex. It is frustrating, and nobody 
does it better than they do. In 2023, they won the top award for 
outstanding constituent service in Congress.
  Aimee, Danica, Reid, and Andrea have improved countless lives, and I 
cannot thank them enough.
  Our D.C. team is extraordinary, too. In each of the last three 
Congresses, they were named the number one most effective office in one 
policy area or another. With 435 offices, being number one isn't that 
easy. Some offices specialize in social media hot takes or partisan 
attacks, but Sydney Powers, Mason Ohnstad, Kristen Blakely, Andrew 
Rasmussen, and Jon Sundet specialized in getting things done. They are 
brilliant, funny, and driven. They have helped govern in an era where 
governing is not easy.
  It is not just our current team who has been excellent. We have 
remarkably little turnover in our office, but we have some great alums.
  When I think back to those who gave more than 2 years to us--Jazmine 
Kemp, Alana Lomis, Hannah Hulehan, John Weber, Nathanael Monroe, and 
Chance Hunley--I am proud. They did incredible things with our team, 
and they have done incredible things since. Our experiences will always 
bind us together, and I am happy for that and how many experiences 
there have been. I look at our team today, and I am touched. Most of us 
have been here since day one, 8 years ago.
  Mr. Speaker, 8 years is an eternity in this crazy time and in this 
crazy place. We have fought, worked, and laughed together. We have 
celebrated 8 weddings, 12 births, and 6 high school graduations. What a 
joy it has been to live life alongside these great people.
  I will close by talking about our senior team: Andrew Christianson, 
Elizabeth Walters, Courtney Heitkamp, Chelsea Schull, and Katie Neff.
  I cannot believe that leaders of their caliber have dedicated 8 years 
of their lives to our office and to working with me. I am so odd, so 
particular, and so demanding. How have they done it?
  I have leaned on these leaders every single day, and they have never 
let me down--never. I have never had cause to question their heart, 
work ethic, loyalty, integrity, or patriotism. Andrew, Elizabeth, 
Courtney, Chelsea, and Katie are the finest humans who I have ever met.
  Mr. Speaker, there is still much to be done in the 119th Congress, 
and I promise I will keep working hard for South Dakota until the very 
end, but when this chapter of my life closes in January, I will not 
miss the shutdowns, the political posturing, or the TV cameras. I will 
miss the people, the very best people.

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