[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2735]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          TRIBUTE TO VETERAN CONGRESSIONAL AIDE CARY R. BRICK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McHUGH. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a sense of mixed 
emotions, because it is an occasion of good-byes, but it is also an 
opportunity to recognize the work and career of someone who is very 
special to this House, and certainly to me personally, my chief of 
staff, Cary R. Brick. His 30-year Congressional staff career spans the 
service of three consecutive New York State Congressmen. He really has 
an uncommon record of service, and I am pleased that I have this 
opportunity tonight to say a few words.
  Cary is the most senior chief of staff in the New York Congressional 
Delegation, and, in fact, one of the most senior staffers to serve this 
institution. He began his Capitol Hill career in January of 1969 as 
press secretary to the late Robert C. McEwen, and later served as his 
executive assistant. When Bob McEwen retired in 1980, Cary was 
appointed by his successor, former Representative David O'Brien Martin, 
to serve as his administrative assistant.
  When I was elected following Dave Martin's retirement in 1992, I 
asked Cary to stay on as my chief of staff as well, and it remains to 
this day one of the easiest and certainly one of the best decisions I 
have made in my 7-plus years in this House.
  Cary Brick has served our current office, that of my predecessors, 
and our Congressional constituents with the highest level of dedication 
and enthusiasm. There are few, if any, communities, institutions, 
organizations or individuals in our district who have not benefited in 
some way from his work.
  Additionally, as the administrator of my Congressional allowances, 
Cary has made it possible for us to return nearly $1.5 million to the 
Congressional coffers, without ever sacrificing the needs of the office 
and our constituents. He has handled his many responsibilities with the 
highest level of integrity and has gained a well-earned reputation on 
Capitol Hill as a dedicated professional.
  At a time, Madam Speaker, when the Congressional staff turnover rate 
is estimated to be 40 percent a year, it is unlikely that anyone will 
ever equal his achievement. His retirement is a loss to the institution 
of Congress, the people of New York's 24th Congressional District, his 
fellow staffers, and me personally.
  There are many remarkable things about Cary Brick's career as a 
Congressional aide, but, rather than citing his impressive biography, I 
would share but a single glimpse into Cary's psyche that I believe 
reveals much about what makes him particular.

                              {time}  1900

  Simply put, Cary loves New York's North Country. Just as Dorothy 
loved Kansas in the Wizard of Oz, Cary truly believes that there is 
``no place like home.''
  Although he and his wife, Erin, have raised two beautiful daughters 
in their Northern Virginia house, Sarah and Rebecca have always known 
their home is in New York. His strong ties to the North Country and his 
strong sense of community have helped him keep that perspective. He 
never lost sight of what matters most. Although his job brought him to 
Washington, D.C., Cary embraced, even relished, the fact that he worked 
for every citizen of New York's 24th District.
  Through his service as my chief of staff for the last 7\1/2\ years, 
our interaction has been far more than a work relationship. We have 
celebrated the many achievements our combined efforts have produced; 
and there have, of course, been a few disappointments over which we 
have agonized together as well. He has been my advisor, my confidant, 
and most of all, my friend. In a town where personal ambition often 
obscures public interest, I can say without hesitation that Cary's 
brand of loyalty and friendship has been a priceless gift.
  When Cary publicly announced his retirement, one quote stood out as a 
great ``sound bite'' that stood out time and time again and on Capitol 
Hill. He said, ``To have been an inside observer of congressional 
participation and debate in every national and world event during the 
final third of the 20th century is an awesome opportunity that few 
others have had.'' Awesome, indeed.
  However, Mr. Speaker, nothing about Cary's quote should lead anyone 
to believe that he has in any way been on the sidelines or a mere 
observer. Rather, he has been a soldier on both the front lines and in 
the war room. His battlefield has been Capitol Hill. From Watergate to 
the Gulf War to the closure of Plattsburgh Air Force Base, he has 
earned his stripes through many battles. His weapons have been quick 
thinking, his unmatched instincts and his constant integrity; and his 
ammunition has been the power of his words and his proven ability to 
mobilize forces.
  For your uncommon commitment, loyalty and sense of duty, Cary, we all 
salute you.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield at this time to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Walsh), my friend and colleague and neighbor to the south 
and a good friend and associate of Cary Brick's as well, for a few 
comments.
  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for yielding time. I 
have a prepared statement that I would like to enter into the record 
regarding Cary Brick, and it was penned by a good friend of his, my 
chief of staff, Art Jutton who has served almost as long as Cary has. 
Cary was always referred to as the dean of the delegation because of 
his seniority. I suspect Art may be in line for that, although Mr. 
Brick may not want to give up that title.
  Cary has been a true exemplary public servant, someone who has served 
the country well, served his Members of Congress well, served the 
people of the North Country well. He is a role model for anyone who 
would be willing to enter public service and suffer the slings and 
arrows that we take in this business; but he never lost his sense of 
humor, never lost his wisdom and his ability to stand back from the 
fray and make a cognitive decision that is always of benefit, not only 
to the Member of Congress in whose office he served, but to other 
Members who were smart enough to ask.
  So I would like to join my colleague. I identify with everything that 
he said. I wish the gentleman well in his selection of a replacement, 
although it is a tough pair of shoes to fill. Mr. Speaker, my best to 
Cary and his family as he retires.

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