[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18717]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF VASILIKI CHRISTOPOULOS

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, today I wish to express Kathy's and my 
greatest admiration and thanks for a person who over the past 14 years 
has been the heart and soul of my Washington staff. Vasiliki 
Alexopoulos Christopoulos has served as my administrative assistant 
since February 2001 and before that as my legislative director, 
director of appropriations and as a legislative assistant. From her 
first days when she began working with us during our 1992 Senate 
campaign, Kathy and I knew Vas was an extraordinary person.
  To describe Vas simply as AA does not do her justice--although that 
job is at the center of a well-run and effective Washington office and 
is critical to the success of a Senator. She, rather, has been the 
heartbeat of the office. Her caring, warm, and always positive 
personality calms the stormy times and has given all of us a shot of 
energy when we needed a lift. Vas understands that running an office is 
more than assigning tasks. Under her leadership, it has been about 
building an exceptional team. She always makes sure that when there is 
a task to be done, it is not left to one person; rather, everyone jumps 
in with Vas leading the way.
  Whether it is counseling interns through separation anxieties, 
interviewing people to join the office, or assisting Kathy, me, and our 
children in making sense out of this chaotic lifestyle, Vas has always 
organized, planned, and followed through in a manner that has lead to a 
successful end in a positive way.
  Walking with Vas to get a cup of coffee is like taking a field trip. 
This is no police officer, no maintenance staff, no congressional staff 
who does not know Vas and want to share a story. One quickly learns 
that everyone in Washington is Greek.
  Vas could do about anything she wishes, including probably be mayor 
of Nashua, but she has chosen a different course. She is moving from 
the friendly confines of Washington and Nashua to the cold, barren land 
of Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan, where the summer occurs on July 4, will 
be the better for this. She will bring her sunny personality which will 
inevitably warm even the chill climate of Michigan.
  As Vas and her terrific husband Jimmy embark on this new career path 
and challenge, seeking all things Greek, Kathy joins me in thanking her 
for all her years of dedication to the Gregg family, our office staff, 
and all the people of New Hampshire. We have all greatly benefited from 
her commitment and love. She has been and will remain a part of our 
family and although she will be a bit further away, we wish her only 
the best and say thank you.

                          ____________________