[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4745]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF BOB VALEU

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, on May 1, 2008, Bob Valeu ends his service 
to the U.S. Senate.
  For 16 years, Bob Valeu has done an outstanding job as the director 
of my North Dakota Senate offices. His passion for public policy, his 
dedication to our State and country, and his commitment to excellence 
have been a hallmark of his service these past years.
  Those of us who serve as Senators get attention for the work we do. 
But we understand that very often that attention and our 
accomplishments are a result of some very talented and dedicated staff 
who work with us to advance the interests of our State and our country. 
That is certainly the case with Bob Valeu's service to me and to the 
Senate.
  Whenever an event ended, the lights were turned down, the microphone 
was turned off, and I had moved on to another event, Bob Valeu was 
usually still there solving problems and working with people to address 
their needs. He was that kind of State director--the type every Senator 
aspires to have.
  Bob and I have traveled tens of thousands of miles together to every 
nook and cranny of our State. We have been to every kind of event 
imaginable: high school convocations, Main Street tours, ribbon 
cuttings, university commencements, lutefisk dinners, State fairs, 
karaoke competitions, and chili cookoffs. But beyond all of that--and 
even more importantly--Bob Valeu had provided wise counsel and advice 
over the years. And I know that even as he leaves my official staff, he 
will continue to be a valuable advisor and a good friend.
  So I want to use this opportunity to publicly thank my friend and a 
very dedicated American with whom I have been privileged to serve these 
past 16 years.
  To Bob and his wife Marge and their entire family, on behalf of the 
Senate, I tell you that our country is a better place because of your 
service. And this Senator is deeply appreciative of the many years of 
excellence you dedicated to the best interests of our great Nation.

                          ____________________