[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24005]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTH DAKOTA STAFF OF SENATOR TOM DASCHLE

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
group of men and women who have served over the past 26 years as staff 
for Senator Tom Daschle in the State of South Dakota. I join my 
colleagues in providing the most heartfelt appreciation for the public 
service career of Senator Daschle and that appreciation extends to the 
work of his South Dakota staff.
  The people of South Dakota have benefitted greatly over the years 
from the work of Senator Daschle's staff. These men and women worked 
tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of South Dakota constituents. 
They served as the eyes and ears for Senator Daschle, maintaining 
contacts in South Dakota communities, attending meetings on projects 
and sitting down with individual constituents to discuss matters of 
importance.
  Some of Senator Daschle's staff provided over two decades of 
dedicated service to the people of South Dakota. Their long hours of 
service, many of them spent driving on country roads, sitting in coffee 
shops or walking through drought-stricken corn and wheat fields, 
underscored Senator Daschle's commitment to serve the people of South 
Dakota.
  Senator Daschle's South Dakota staff truly reflect the tireless work 
ethic, dedication, and professionalism that he has exemplified to all 
the citizens of our state. Whether attending economic development 
outreach meetings, sacrificing holidays and weekends to travel with 
Senator Daschle across South Dakota, or tending to the many casework 
issues facing our constituents, Senator Daschle's South Dakota staff 
has done a superb job.
  It is my hope that these valued members of Senator Daschle's South 
Dakota staff recognize the importance of their work and the great 
appreciation that many in South Dakota hold for them for their great 
service.
  Senator Daschle's current South Dakota staff includes:
  Beth Smith, Betty Daschle, Jody Jordan, Maeve King, and Virginia 
Newquist in the Aberdeen office; Ace Crawford, Armon Gaddy, Dorothy 
Christensen, Jackie Heier, Georgeann Johnson, Rose Larson, and Sheila 
Lane in the Rapid City office; Bill Idema, Gene Dwyer, Jeff Wilka, Jenn 
Dolan, Mark Gerhardt, Mary Peters, Michele Seaton, Nicole Deak, 
Stephanie Devitt, Stephanie Koster Hoyme, Steve Dick, and Steve 
Erpenbach, Senator Daschle's State director, in the Sioux Falls office.
  The work of Senator Daschle and his staff will be remembered by South 
Dakotans for many years to come. I want to thank them for their work 
and service and wish them all the very best.

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