[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11] [House] [Pages 15554-15558] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING TIM FRIEDMAN The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the subject of my Special Order is Tim Friedman, who as many of you know is the assistant manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom. I don't know where to begin. I don't know what I am going to do without Tim being here. I think this is his last week and he is retiring after so many years in the Cloakroom. But just to give you an idea of some of the things that I don't know who is going to do these things for me anymore: usually I bring my cell phone on the floor. And he has to remind me that I am not allowed to have a cell phone on the floor, so I have to put it in the back and leave it there. And I tell him he doesn't have to answer it, but he usually answers it. A lot of times late at night when we are doing Special Orders, those of you who know that basically the food area in the back is closed, so I have to ask him to open up the refrigerator and I leave a dollar in the refrigerator and he gets me a Coke. My beeper breaks down on a regular basis, and I have to leave it for Tim to fix. Half the time it is not even broken, but he doesn't want to tell me that I don't realize it is not broken so he just says, Oh, yeah, I fixed it, even though it probably wasn't broken from the beginning. Let me see what else. I have made a list here. When we doze off in the Cloakroom, that is big. Many of us, as you know, are here late at night or even during the day. If we are tired, we lie down on the couch, and he has to come around and gently nudge us to make sure that we don't miss a vote. I don't know, the list goes on and on. I don't even know where to begin. Oh, my yellow pads. I always carry yellow pads and I use my blue marker to cross things out. And a lot of times I leave them on the seat, and then I will go back to my office and Tim will call me up and say, Oh, Frank, you left your yellow pad. Come on down here and get it. He is going to save it for me. So the list goes on. The other thing is we have this triumvirate, or three people, who are the managers here that, as far as I know, they have been here for as long as I can remember, and that is Tim, Bob, and Barry. And I cannot imagine what it is going to be like when we are missing one of them. So it is not only Tim, but it is the fact that this triumvirate is going to be gone or is going to be broken up, and I can't imagine who is going to replace Tim because I always think of them as the three people that I can always rely on. But the list goes on. Have you ever noticed that Tim brings that green book, he brought it down here today, that green book which we have to sign in, I guess, for Special Orders. It goes back I don't know how many years. I mean, that thing probably belongs in the Smithsonian Institution. It goes back 30, 40 years. Who keeps it, who gets that green book once you leave? I guess it will have to be either Barry or Bob. Then the list goes on. Let me say, Tim has an incredible sense of humor. Not only the Clerks and the people that work behind us, but he as well as the other managers have to stay late at night when we do Special Orders. And I think you know that the Democrats are determined to fill every last hour of Special Orders, and so he or Bob or Barry has to stay here very late, usually until midnight because that is when they are cut off. And I always come in and kid him and say, Are you working tonight? And I tell him, Well, maybe I won't do the Special Order. And he says, Oh, no, you can do it, you can do it. He doesn't really mean it. He hopes I go home, but he tolerates us anyway. And he has a tremendous sense of humor and makes us laugh, which is so important, particularly with all the problems that you have around this place. Having somebody with a great sense of humor is really important, needless to say. My staff think that Tim is more important than them. I mean, that is what they will constantly tell me, because I call here all the time, not only every day, not only every hour, but sometimes every five minutes to see what is going on, and he never says, Why are you calling? He is never grumpy. He is always like, Mr. Pallone, you called. And he gives me an update on what is going on, and he never makes me feel like I shouldn't call again, even though I probably shouldn't. So I could go on forever, Tim, but I just want to thank you for all you have done not only on behalf of myself and not only on behalf of the Democratic Members, but on behalf of all Members. I know others told me that they want to enter statements in the Record, so that is why I asked unanimous consent that the Record be kept open. You certainly deserve your retirement. I can't believe you are retiring. You don't look old enough to retire, but I know you are going to enjoy your retirement. Let me say a little bit of his history, if I could. He is a native of Lackawanna, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. He arrived in Washington in 1976 and started his career in the House in July 1976 under the patronage of Congressman Dan Rostenkowski. He worked as a doorkeeper under the Honorable James T. Molloy from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, he transferred to the Office of the House Sergeant at Arms and worked as an assistant to Jack Russ, and Tim was appointed as assistant manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985, before I got here, by then Speaker Tip O'Neill, Speaker of the House. Tim married, he actually got married a few years ago to Colleen Early in 2003, probably one of the reasons he wants to retire, so he could spend more time with his wife. And they are avid golfers. They are building a home in Wallace, North Carolina. I know he can't wait to enjoy his retirement, but we will sorely miss you and I personally will, for sure. Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, on July 19th of this year, Tim Friedman achieved a milestone that Members ever reach: 30 years of service in the United States House of Representatives. Since he first arrived in Washington in 1976, Tim has been a denizen of the House. In his first position, as Doorkeeper, he worked to keep the House floor and its Members secure. He also served the House Sergeant at Arms, until his formidable talents were recognized by Tip O'Neill in 1985, and he was appointed Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985. Tim Friedman has become part of the history of this institution: he was the last ever Democratic pair clerk--a position that was discontinued in 1995. He has served under five Speakers--and spent 19 years in the majority and nearly 12 years in the loyal opposition. Tim has seen many Members come and ago, and been both a colleague and friend to all. His skills in the cloakroom are only matched by his skills on the golf course: I know that members of my caucus will be particularly relieved that because of his retirement, Tim will not be competing in any more House golf tournaments. But he will have time to hone his game; Tim is retiring to Wallace, North Carolina, where he will live on a 36-hole golf course. As we salute Tim, we must also recognize his wife Colleen. Colleen is also part of the House of Representatives family--she is the daughter of Congressman Joe Early. As we all know, it is hard to balance a job here with a life at home, and today as we salute Tim for his dedication, we are appreciative of the sacrifice Colleen has made. [[Page 15555]] Upon his retirement, George Washington said, ``I am once more seated under my own vine and fig tree . . . and hope to spend the remainder of my days in peaceful retirement, making political pursuits yield to the more rational amusement of cultivating the earth.'' Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to wish Tim Friedman and Colleen a similarly peaceful retirement. Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tim Friedman, Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom, on his retirement after 30 years of illustrious service to the United States House of Representatives. Tim's career has been a long and distinguished one marked by outstanding accomplishments and the well-deserved esteem of Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. I am pleased to join with my colleagues in wishing Tim and his wife Colleen many happy years of fulfillment and rewards in their new pursuits. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Tim for all of his kindness, assistance and support during my tenure in Congress, along with my warmest personal regards. He will certainly be missed. Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the life and work of an outstanding individual whom I feel fortunate to have known for the last 9 years, Mr. Tim Friedman. He is being recognized on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, on the occasion of his retirement after 30 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Tim is originally from Lackawanna, NY, and began his career in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976. He started as a Doorkeeper and in 1985 he was appointed Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom by then Speaker of the House, Tip O'Neill. My fellow Democratic colleagues and I agree that he has served us extraordinarily well for the past 21 years in the Democratic Cloakroom. Tim always made sure that I knew what legislative business was on the schedule for the day, and was a great person to converse with in between votes. But more importantly, Tim and I share a special bond as fans of the greatest baseball team in history, the New York Yankees. I will truly miss our bantering back and forth with Red Sox fans Mr. Capuano and Tim's co-worker Barry Fisher. I know Tim will be missed by all of my Democratic colleagues, even Mr. Capuano, whom he regularly bested in important baseball debates. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and privilege to extend my best wishes to a dedicated public servant. May he enjoy a very well-deserved retirement. Tim, you will be missed. Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a person who has been a fixture of this institution for more than 30 years and who has been a mainstay of our Democratic Cloakroom, and indeed, our Democratic Party. I have always said that Members of Congress are only as good as the staff that helps us because they are the ones who make this Chamber run. Tim Friedman is one of those few people who works behind the scenes to make sure we do our job properly, that floor operations run smoothly and our personal staffs are kept abreast of current legislative activity and the legislative schedule. We thank Tim for making our jobs easier and for being a trusted resource for Members and our offices. Tim is from Lackawanna, NY, just outside of Buffalo. He is part of that group known as the ``Buffalo Gang,'' the leader of whom is our own former Doorkeeper of the House, Jim Molloy. In 1976, Tim came to Washington and started to work for then-Representative Dan Rostenkowski. Tim's first days on the job were not promising. His first 2 assignments were to drive the Illinois Congressman to different events in Washington, and he got lost both times. After awhile, he learned how to get around the city, and ever since, he has been steering Members on the right course. Members have taken Tim's advice on when to schedule their return home following legislative business, when to take dinner breaks during late night sessions, and basically how to plan their lives around the activity on the floor. It is with mixed feelings that I pay tribute to Tim. I am saddened by the fact we are losing his institutional knowledge, wizened guidance, and a beloved friend. At the same time, I am happy for him as he and his wife Colleen tee-off on a second career in their new home of Wallace, NC. All of us on both sides of the aisle wish Tim and Colleen well in their new adventure, and we hope that their move will exceed their best expectations. One thing for sure is the golfing weather is much better in North Carolina than here in Washington or certainly in Buffalo. This is an important feature because both Tim and Colleen are excellent and avid golfers, and their new home is surrounded by 2 golf courses. We are proud to know Tim, and we hope that he and Colleen will come back and visit their friends from time to time, particularly during the golf tournament season, to let us know how their lives are progressing. We appreciate all the services you have rendered to this institution and to the Members with whom you have worked. As you look to new horizons, I would like to send you and Colleen off with these wishes: May you always find good lies in the fairways; May your shots sail clear over still waters; and May nothing but eagles and birdies follow you for the all the rounds of your life. Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a distinguished public servant, Mr. Tim Friedman, on the occasion of his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives and the House Democratic Cloakroom. Mr. Friedman has shown exceptional commitment to public service throughout his career in the Democratic Cloakroom of the House of Representatives. A native of Lackawanna, NY, Mr. Friedman arrived in Washington in 1976 to start his career with the House of Representatives under the patronage of the Honorable Dan Rostenkowski. He began his career as a Doorkeeper and transferred to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms in 1982, working as an assistant to the Honorable Jack Russ. In 1985, Mr. Friedman was appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom by Speaker of the House Thomas P. O'Neill. The last 30 years, Mr. Friedman has served the House as a tireless and diligent worker. Under his guidance and hard work, the Cloakroom has become a place fitting for the U.S. House of Representatives. He has become an institution to those Members who have served this legislative body and he will be deeply missed. We wish Mr. Friedman well, and we all deeply appreciate his dedicated and decent service. I will certainly miss him. I wish Tim and his wife Colleen many good years, filled with family, friends, good health, and plenty of golf. On behalf of my staff, myself and my lovely wife Deborah: Thank you, Tim. Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring a truly distinguished public servant. A man without whom our jobs would be infinitely more difficult. Tim Friedman, for decades a fixture of the House Democratic Cloakroom, will take his well earned retirement. Most people outside this building know nothing of the Cloakrooms. The staff there provide information to Members on the program for the day, the timing of votes, and myriad other details that go into the operation of this institution. As we all try to juggle the demands of committee meetings, visits from constituents, meetings with people concerning legislation, and floor debates and votes, the Cloakroom is a vital resource in making sure that everything runs smoothly. In addition to being helpful, the staff of the Cloakroom have always provided a friendly and congenial environment even when the workload seems unmanageable, the pressure mounts, and tempers get short. Tim has mastered the arcane science of the House. His voluminous knowledge, his institutional memory, his up-to-the-minute understanding of what is going on have more than once saved this Member, and many of my colleagues, from losing track of the proceedings. Tim has always managed the job with good cheer and good humor, even when, perhaps, the circumstances might have called for a much different response. My colleagues and I will greatly miss Tim Friedman, although we wish him well as he leaves this House. Tim, you will always have a home here, and, should you ever get tired of relaxing and enjoying life, you are always welcome back. Congratulations and best of luck to you. Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a not-so-closely-held secret that Congressional staff plays a crucial and indispensable role in making it possible for Members of Congress to carry out their constitutional duties. That is certainly the case for Tim Friedman, who will mark 30 years of service--15 terms, if he were a Member--to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 19, 2006. Tim is a true ``Man of the House.'' He began his career in 1976, under Speaker Carl Albert. From his first job in the office of the Doorkeeper, he transferred to the House Sergeant at Arms office where he worked until 1985, when Speaker Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill appointed him as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985. The Democratic Cloakroom is the crossroads of the Caucus, and Tim Friedman stands right in the middle of the intersection. [[Page 15556]] He has been a constant source of information, wisdom and assistance, dispensed with characteristic good humor there for the past 20 years. He is so professional in his job that, like a great golfer, he makes something very hard look easy. Tim's distinguished service in the House Democratic Cloakroom has touched the lives of countless Members--and staff members--of this body. He plans to retire this September, and we all wish him and his wife, Colleen, our very best. But we'll keep him for as long as we can, because his absence will certainly leave a large void in the House Democratic Cloakroom and in this wonderful institution that he has served for so long. Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, Tim Friedman has been a presence in the Democratic Cloakroom and the House Floor for 3 decades, from which he now retires as the Assistant Manager of the Democratic Cloakroom. Tim is funny, charming, helpful . . . and is considered practically a family member of the Democratic Members who rely on his understanding of their varying needs and his expertise on the operations of the House of Representatives. He practically grew up in the House. He began his political career with our colleague Dan Rostenkowski, who was an excellent tutor in the world of real politics and practical applications of power. As a young man, Tim was known as a little bit of a ladies man . . . and as an adult, he is a loving husband to Colleen. Tim's nickname is ``Hawk,'' for his amazing ability to spot people anywhere in his line of vision. For someone whose everyday responsibilities include spotting Members of Congress in the crowded chamber, that is a useful skill. Tim has the broad shoulders of Buffalo and the nuanced understanding of government from his long time service on Capitol Hill. He has been a mentor for thousands of young high school-aged Capitol Pages who pass through our program and work for the Congress as messengers and runners. Working in the Democratic Cloakroom and on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives is no easy task. The pace is either painfully slow, or very fast with information and decisions moving and changing rapidly. So it takes a very special person to navigate those waters, a job Tim has done with excellence over the decades he has served the Democratic Leadership and the entire House of Representatives. Tim, we wish you and Colleen good luck--and great golf. The entire House of Representatives owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude and wishes you well on the journey to Wallace, N.C., that you now take beyond our marble floors and columns. Vaya con Dios, mi amigo. Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, Tim Friedman has been a friend of mine since the first day I walked onto the House Floor 18 years ago. His interest in, and service to, this and other Members of the House has always been above and beyond the call of duty. As he heads to a well- earned retirement a bit to our south, I want my dear friend Tim to know that I will think of him often, and with tremendous gratitude for his extraordinary service. Thanks, Tim! Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor someone who has dedicated 30 years of service to this great institution. Those of us on the Democratic side of the aisle know how much we have come to rely on Tim Friedman who has spent the last 3 decades working in the House Democratic Cloakroom. One can imagine that after 30 years working on and around the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Tim has just about seen it all. Throughout it all, Tim has always been on hand to assist Members of Congress with all requests, large and small. By working with us and making it easier for Members of the House to fulfill their official duties, Mr. Friedman has served the U.S. House of Representatives, the United States Congress and his country admirably. As he prepares to leave us, I wish him well and hope that his back improves for a better back swing so that he can enjoy many good days on the golf course. While all of us will miss seeing Tim day in and day out, we are truly happy for him and wish him all the best as he enjoys his well-deserved retirement. Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Tim Friedman for his many years of heartfelt service and wish him best wishes on his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives and the House Democratic Cloakroom. Originally from Lackawanna, NY, outside of Buffalo, Mr. Friedman began his career in the House of Representatives on July 19,1976 under the patronage of the Honorable Dan Rostenkowski of Illinois. He worked as a Doorkeeper from 1976 to 1982 under the Honorable James T. Molloy before transferring to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms in 1982. There he worked as an assistant to the Honorable Jack Russ. In 1985, Tim Friedman was appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom by the Honorable Thomas P. O'Neill, Speaker of the House. Tim married Colleen Early in 2003. He is retiring to Wallace, NC, where he plans to continue his love of golf. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to be able to recognize a man who has dedicated his life to serving the people of the United States. I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Tim Friedman on his many years of devoted public service and thank him for the many contributions he has made toward the well being of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I join colleagues in paying a well- deserved tribute to Tim Friedman who is retiring after 30 years of distinguished service to this Congress. As Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom, Tim has had the heavy responsibility of ensuring not only that Members get to the floor on time to vote but that they know what they are voting for. His knowledge of the intricacies of the voting process and House procedures has been invaluable and he is leaving big shoes to fill. Tim has also been responsible for supervising and mentoring the thousands of pages who spend a large part of their time working in the Cloakroom. As a father, I know how hard it is to get a couple of teenagers to be responsible and do good work. I commend Tim's patience in handling the hundreds of teens who rotate through the Cloakroom each summer and school year. A native of Lackawanna, New York, Tim came to Washington in 1976 and worked first as a Doorkeeper, guarding the privacy of Members and keeping the floor of this House secure. His talents were recognized and in 1982 he transferred to the House Sergeant at Arms where he continued his efforts to keep this House running in an efficient and productive manner. In 1995, Speaker of the House Thomas P. O'Neill appointed him to his current position of Assistant Manger of the House Democratic Cloakroom. Tim, you will be sorely missed but I know that you and your wife Colleen are looking forward to a life of leisure in North Carolina. I know you will enjoy having the time to play all the golf you want. I played golf on your golf team at Andrews and had a barrel of fun. I will always remember your friendship! Good luck and thank you for all you have done for this institution. Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tim Friedman on his retirement after 30 years of service to the House of Representatives. Tim began his career on Capitol Hill on July 19, 1976, as a doorkeeper under the Hon. James T. Molloy. In 1982, he began to work for the office of the House Sergeant at Arms as an assistant to the Hon. Jack Russ. Recognizing Tim's talents, knowledge, and understanding of the intricacies of the House, he was appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985. Tim's friendly manner and his wealth of experience has been an outstanding asset to the members of the Democratic Caucus. I sincerely thank Tim for the assistance he has given me and for his dedicated service to the House of Representatives. I wish him and his wife Colleen all the best for their future. He will be truly missed by all. Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Tim Friedman upon his retirement from the House Democratic, Cloakroom. For the past 30 years Tim Friedman has served with utmost distinction. After moving from Lackawanna, NY, Tim arrived in Washington, DC, in 1976 to begin his career in the House of Representatives. He first served for the Hon. Dan Rostenkowski before becoming a Doorkeeper under the Hon. James T. Molloy from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, Tim moved to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms before being appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985 by the Hon. Thomas P. 0'Neill, Speaker of the House. Since I came to Congress in 1988, I have gotten to know Tim Friedman quite well. He is an upstanding man with strong character and high principles. I am pleased to have worked with him. In times of retirement, I am reminded of the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, ``The reward for a thing well done is to have done it.'' Not only should Tim feel rewarded, but all of us who have benefited from his long and successful 30 year career, an accomplishment for which he deserves to be proud. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in offering congratulations and gratitude for [[Page 15557]] Tim's long and successful career in the House of Representatives. I wish him well and hope he continues to achieve happiness, health and success in his future endeavors. Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tim Friedman on his retirement from the House of Representatives and the House Democratic Cloakroom. Mr. Friedman, a native of Lackawanna, NY, arrived in Washington, DC, in 1976 and started his career in the House of Representatives on July 19, 1976 under the patronage of Hon. Dan Rostenkowski. He worked as a Doorkeeper under Hon. James T. Molley from 1976 to 1982 then transferred to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms and worked as an assistant to the Hon. Jack Russ. In 1985, Mr. Friedman became the Assistant Manager of the House Democratic cloakroom. His contributions are immeasurable. Mr. Speaker, I offer my sincere congratulations to Tim Friedman. I wish Mr. Friedman and his wife, Colleen, a relaxing retirement filled with many rounds of golf. Thank you for your service to the House of Representatives, and to our Nation. Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker it is with great pleasure that I rise today to bid farewell to Mr. Tim Friedman, a dear, trusted friend, who will retire after 30 years of service to his country. A native of Lackawanna, NY, Tim arrived in Washington in 1976, and started his career in the House of Representatives on July 19, 1976, under the patronage of the Hon. Dan Rostenkowski. From 1976 to 1982 he worked as a Doorkeeper under the Hon. James T. Molloy and in 1982, he transferred to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms and worked as an assistant to the Hon. Jack Russ. In 1985 Tim was appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom by the Hon. Thomas P. O'Neill--Speaker of the House. Mr. Speaker, the Democratic Cloak Room is a place of great importance to all House Democrats. It is a place where we not only receive helpful information on things such as bill language and the floor schedule, but where we can take solace from the sometimes contentious debate on the House floor. Needless to say, it takes a special individual to contend with the wide range of interesting personalities that make up the Democratic Caucus. Tim has handled the job without breaking a sweat. Although, I am quite sure he often tires of Member after Member asking the same question--``when will we be done,'' he never makes it known. He is always ready to provide Members with important information while maintaining his affable disposition. Perhaps what impresses me the most about Tim is his unwavering loyalty. An avid Yankee fan, Tim openly professes allegiance to his team despite the taunts of his fellow cloak room colleagues. Barry, a passionate Red Sox fan and Bob, an Orioles/Nationals fan, frequently hurl insults at Tim for his devotion to the Bronx Bombers. However, like a true fan, he ignores their scoffs and simply reminds them of Yankee dominance. As a Yankee fan and the team's Congressional Representative, I appreciate Tim's steadfastness in the face of brutal opposition. His dogged support of my hometown team has strengthened our bond over the years. Mr. Speaker, on a more serious note, Tim is a dedicated, hardworking and reliable individual who will be truly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him. I wish him well on his retirement and ask that my colleagues join me in bidding him farewell. Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Tim Friedman for his 30 years of dedicated service to the House of Representatives. Tim began his career on July 19, 1976, working as a Doorkeeper to the House Chamber under the Hon. James T. Molloy. After 6 years of helping to oversee admission to the House floor and galleries, Tim went on to work as an assistant to the Hon. Jack Russ in the House Sergeant at Arms office and eventually as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom. Since my freshman term in Congress, his has always been a friendly face and a trusted source of information about what is happening on the House floor. Tim has been an active and integral part of the last 16 sessions of Congress, and he deserves the highest respect and recognition. Outside of work, Tim spends most of his time with his lovely wife Colleen and out on the golf course. I can speak for the rest of my colleagues when I say that we all look forward to hearing about his first hole-in-one. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Tim Friedman on his retirement after a remarkable career. We truly appreciate your hard work and dedication to our country, and I am sad to lose such an outstanding public servant and close friend. Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend sincere congratulations to my friend Tim Friedman upon his retirement from the Democratic Cloakroom. Tim, a Lackawanna, NY native, has dedicated 30 years of his life to service in the House of Representatives. Tim began his career in Washington in 1976 in the House of Representatives under Congressman Dan Rostenkowski. Shortly after, he worked under Doorkeeper James T. Molloy as a doorkeeper and in 1982 transferred to the House Sergeant at Arms. In 1985, Tim was appointed to the House Democratic Cloakroom as Assistant Manager. For over 20 years, Tim has been a constant presence in the Cloakroom, and has tirelessly worked on behalf of House Democrats. The Democratic Cloakroom has been like a home away from home for me over these past 19 months. It's been an honor and pleasure to have Buffalo guys in the Cloakroom--people like Tim Friedman and Bob Fischer, who have been terrific public servants in the House, and who have shown me the ropes and ways of the House. It is with great pride and gratitude that I stand here today to recognize Tim Friedman for his many years of service and for his commitment to Democrats, and the House of Representatives. I wish Tim and his wife Colleen many years of continued health and happiness. Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, somehow, I thought Tim and I would grow old together. For 30 years, he has always been there for us: friendly, informed, endlessly patient with our endless questions, and always ready with his wry smile. There will be a void now in the cloakroom, a physical gap that we all will feel. But more: there will be a void in our Caucus, where Tim has provided such competent guidance, continuity and wisdom. Godspeed, Tim. You have made a big difference here. Mrs. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, today I want to honor Tim Friedman, who will be retiring after 30 years of service in the Democratic Cloakroom. My staff and I rely on the Cloakroom on a daily basis. The Cloakroom staff is reliable and knowledgeable and serves as the voice of reason during often chaotic times on the floor. Tim Friedman was a big part of the Cloakroom operations and I know my colleagues and I will miss seeing him everyday. But his retirement is certainly well-earned and I hope he enjoys the next chapter in his life. Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to join my colleagues in paying tribute to Tim Friedman on the occasion of his retirement from the House after 30 years of faithful service. Tim is a native of Lackawanna, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. He arrived in Washington in 1976 and started his career in the House of Representatives on July 19, 1976 under the patronage of the Hon. Dan Rostenkowski. He worked as a Doorkeeper under the Hon. James T. Molloy from 1976 to 1982. In 1982 he transferred to the office of the House Sergeant at Arms. Tim was appointed as Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom in 1985 by the Hon. Thomas P. O'Neill, Speaker of the House. Tim married Colleen Early in 2003. They are avid golfers and are building a home in Wallace, NC. I hope they have a splendid retirement in Down East, NC. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Tim Friedman, a great friend a great public servant. Next month, Tim will officially retire from the House of Representatives following 30 years of outstanding public service. Tim grew up in Lackawanna, New York, and came to Washington, DC in 1976. That year, he began his distinguished career with the U.S. House of Representatives under the former Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Dan Rostenkowski. Tim served as a Doorkeeper in the Democratic Cloakroom for the Honorable James T. Molloy from 1976 until 1982, when he began working for the Honorable Jack Russ. In 1985, Speaker Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill appointed Tim as the Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom. In 2003, Tim married his wife, Colleen Early. Tim and Colleen are dedicated golfers and are building a home in Wallace, North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it is a little-known fact outside of Washington that the Democratic and Republican Cloakrooms are vital to Congress' functioning. Dealing with Members of Congress on a daily basis is not an easy task, but Tim has kept our members running on schedule, kept us fed, and kept us smiling for years now, and he will be sorely missed. I am grateful to Tim for his tremendous service to the House of Representatives, and I wish Tim and Colleen the best of luck in his well-deserved retirement. Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career contributions of Mr. Tim Friedman, Assistant Manager of the House Democratic Cloakroom and a public servant of the highest degree. For 30 years, Mr. Friedman has served our country in some capacity [[Page 15558]] within the walls of Congress and he has served these years with dignity and decorum. As Mr. Friedman prepares to retire, I congratulate him and wish him the best. He has certainly earned the opportunity to kick up his heels, enjoy some time with his wife, and play a few rounds of golf. But as a Member of Congress, I must say that it is sad to see him go. For 20 years, he has been a fixture in the Cloakroom--an institution as significant as the Cloakroom itself. Mr. Friedman will be missed, but his work ethic will continue on, through his co-workers who admire him, through the many pages who have looked to him for guidance over the years and through the Democratic Members of Congress themselves. I thank Mr. Friedman for his service and his commitment to the Democratic Cloakroom. The qualities he embodies--loyalty, trustworthiness, reliability--are getting harder and harder to find nowadays. May God bless this admirable man and his family as he begins this next chapter. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to honor Mr. Tim Friedman on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Friedman, I wish many congratulations to you, and please accept my heartfelt thank you for your 30 years of service to the United States Congress. Over the years, you have been a close witness to some of the greatest reforms, oratories, and achievements in legislative history. We have looked to you for your advice and trusted you completely and unhesitatingly. You have been a confident of legislators, and your sagacity has no match. I have enjoyed and appreciated your good humor, good judgment, and your leadership in the Democratic Cloakroom. Throughout the early mornings and late nights, your very presence contributed solidity and strength to the proceedings of the day. Your service to your country will long be remembered by Members such as myself, and we will miss your compassion and your enthusiasm. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment are cherished. You have earned the respect, the admiration, and the affection of all of us who have worked with you. As you move forward to your next success, I have no doubt that you will make your compatriots proud and continue to fulfill your commitment to public service. All of my best wishes and blessings to you in your future endeavors. Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Mr. Tim Friedman's 30 years of dedicated service in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Democratic Cloakroom. Now 30 years may seem like a long time, but really it's only 6 in ``Tim Years.'' That is to say, six World Series wins resulting in rings for the Yankees. I have to wonder if Tim's retirement may have something to do with the prospect of Barry Sullivan's Boston Red Sox winning a few more World Series' and narrowing the Yankees' lead in titles. Now safe at home--quite literally--I can publicly disclose how I caused one blemish on Tim's otherwise perfect congressional record. The March Madness NCAA basketball tournament bracket was overseen by Tim for years, and he ran a tight ship. You were in by the deadline, or you were out of the pool--except for this one time. On a late flight home I realized that I had forgotten to put my entry in for the congressional NCAA pool. As soon as I returned to D.C., I petitioned the court of last resort, Tim Friedman, believing my cause was virtually hopeless, but imagining myself shooting that desperate last second three-pointer to win the big game. To my complete surprise, Tim allowed my desperate shot to count, and he allowed me to slip in my late entry. Even with his charity, I still managed to go 0 and out in the Big Dance! Still, I'll never forget his wisdom for letting me in, and my folly for believing I could handicap the results. Tim's sports enthusiasm--near-fanaticism, really--will be sorely missed around the Cloakroom. More than that, however, we will miss Tim Friedman's smile, his warmth and his gracious humanity. We hear a lot about world-class athletes. Tim Friedman is a world-class human being. It has been my distinct pleasure to work with him, an honor to know such a genuine and goodhearted man, and a sad but proud moment for me to say goodbye and best wishes. ____________________