[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5967-5968]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TRIBUTE TO ROBERT HOFFMAN

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to say thank you--thank you 
to my legislative director for the past four years, Mr. Robert Hoffman. 
Robert--my right-hand man--will be leaving Capitol Hill shortly for a 
promising career in the private sector.
  But I speak for a lot of people on the Hill--Members and staffers, 
alike--when I say that although we are very happy for Robert and we 
wish him well, we are saddened by his upcoming departure and will miss 
him dearly.
  We will miss Robert's dedication to this institution.
  We will miss his optimism and his sense of humor.
  We will miss his unstoppable work ethic.
  But most of all, we will just miss him.
  Robert Hoffman has, himself, become somewhat of an institution here 
on Capitol Hill. Almost exactly twelve years ago today--April 3, 1989--
Robert started working in Washington for former California Senator, 
Pete Wilson.
  Robert, a California native, didn't start off as Senator Wilson's 
legislative director. Oh no. He started in the mail room. His dogged 
determination and his amazing ability to absorb issues quickly 
propelled him upward within the Wilson operation. In less than a year, 
Robert had become a legislative correspondent and within another year, 
he was working in Sacramento as deputy speech writer after Senator 
Wilson became Governor of California.
  Robert, though, missed Capitol Hill--and Capitol Hill missed him. By 
May 1991, he was back in Washington, this time working as a legislative 
assistant for another former California Senator, John Seymour. Robert 
thrived as a legislative assistant, handling complex issues ranging 
from crime to immigration.
  In practically no time, Robert was ready for a managerial role. In 
December 1992, he started a long tenure with our former colleague from 
South Dakota, Senator Larry Pressler.
  By the young age of only 27, Robert was serving as Senator Pressler's 
legislative director. Though Robert's loyalty to Governor Wilson called 
him back for slightly over a year to work as the Governor's Deputy 
Director of his Washington office, Robert stayed with the Pressler 
organization until January 1997. To this day, Senator Pressler is 
thankful for having had Robert at the helm of his legislative 
operation.
  The Senator has described Robert as one of the ``all time finest 
legislative assistants and legislative directors on Capitol Hill. He is 
a man of great personal values and decency--a decency that is 
contagious.''
  Senator Pressler said it well.
  I know, too, that Senator Pressler greatly valued--and still values, 
as I do--Robert's deep grasp and understanding of foreign policy and 
national security matters. Robert accompanied Senator Pressler and 
Senator Specter on a trip to Africa. Senator Pressler speaks fondly of 
that trip and of Robert's ``superb job of managing it.'' According to 
Senator Pressler: ``Robert made that trip. He got us there and back in 
one piece, which was no easy feat! He managed the whole thing, dealt 
with heads of state, and knew all the issues--forward and back.''
  Robert came to my office in February 1997. He's been my legislative 
director for over four years now. And, during that time, I have learned 
a great deal about this fine man.
  I have learned that he is loyal to a fault.
  I have learned that he is a workhorse.
  I have learned that he is an incredible strategist, manager, teacher, 
thinker, leader, and friend.
  I have also learned that there is nothing Robert Hoffman can't do. To 
use one of Robert's favorite phrases: ``He just gets it. He just gets 
the joke.''
  Robert is one of the best ``big picture'' thinkers I have ever 
encountered. He gets the whole scene; he understands it. He can put 
things in their proper perspective. No one does a better job in taking 
complex issues, simplifying them and explaining them. He understands 
how all the pieces in a legislative operation fit together.
  He understands politics.
  He understands policy.
  He understands press.
  That combination of skills--that kind of raw talent and intuitive 
intelligence--is a true rarity here in Washington or anywhere, for that 
matter.
  As anyone who has worked with Robert knows, he always gets the job 
done. No ifs. No buts. No excuses. He just gets the job done. He is a 
fair and tempered negotiator. Certainly, I have seen that. I have seen 
him in situations where I didn't think we would be successful, and he 
went into negotiation and came out with a lot better deal than I 
imagined we could achieve. He gets it done in a quiet, thoughtful, 
professional way. Robert Hoffman knows how to get bills passed into 
law. He knows the ins and outs of the legislative process. And, he has 
the ability to bring sides together to reach consensus and build 
bipartisan relationships.
  While Robert's professionalism and work ethic are second to none, I 
would be remiss to not mention Robert's strength of character and 
personal integrity.
  He is a gentleman--a kind man, a sincere man, and a man who cares 
about people. He cares about every single person in my office.
  He cares about them on a professional level, and he cares about them 
on a personal level. He cares about them as people.
  Robert Hoffman is a good man, and I am privileged to have had the 
extraordinary opportunity to work with him and call him my friend.
  As he departs Capitol Hill after twelve fruitful, fearless, and fun 
years, I wish him and his lovely new wife, Andrea, all the best in the 
world. Thank you, Robert.
  Mr. President, those in the Chamber and on Capitol Hill who will miss 
Robert Hoffman will still be able to see

[[Page 5968]]

him. One of the easiest ways to do that is to watch the reruns of 
``Little House on the Prairie.'' Robert started his professional career 
actually before he came to Capitol Hill. He started as one of the stars 
on the original version of ``Little House on the Prairie.'' Those of 
you who are up late at night and who have the opportunity to see a 
rerun, if you see someone who looks like Robert Hoffman, it is. You 
will have the opportunity to see a much younger version of Robert on 
that show.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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