[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14308-14309]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING ERIK NECCIAI

  Ms. SNOWE. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
service Erik Necciai has provided to the Senate Committee on Small 
Business and Entrepreneurship in his capacity as a professional staff 
member and counsel. When Erik joined the Committee staff just--over 2 
years ago--in June 2007 I knew that I had selected a top-notch staffer 
who cared deeply about making a difference in peoples' lives, and I 
will feel a deep loss with his departure from Capitol Hill later this 
week.
  Indicative of the dedicated person Erik is, he began his work on the 
committee the day after he arrived home from his honeymoon in romantic 
Italy with his new bride, Tina. During his first weeks here, Erik was 
focused on preparing for a committee roundtable regarding legislative 
suggestions to improve the Small Business Innovation Research, SBIR, 
program. He was simultaneously studying for the Maryland bar exam--no 
small feat! As if that was not enough, Erik faced a daily commute of 
roughly 2 hours each way, coming from his home in Solomon's Island, MD. 
After a whirlwind first month, Erik settled in quickly, remaining a 
proactive staff member who consistently sought new and critical avenues 
to increase contracting opportunities to small businesses and reform 
the Small Business Administration's HUBZone program.
  Over his 2 years on the Hill, Erik has helped me develop thoughtful 
and probing legislation regarding small business contracting and 
procurement. Committee Chair Mary Landrieu and I will soon be 
introducing crucial legislation to reauthorize and make significant 
improvements to the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer, STTR, 
programs, and Erik was instrumental in helping us craft this bill. 
Additionally, Erik always prepared comprehensive and insightful 
background materials for me that included meticulously researched 
statistics for committee hearings and roundtables. He has also been 
personally responsive to small businesses seeking help navigating the 
confusing and difficult maze known as Federal contracting. And Erik has 
been an aggressive watchdog, exhorting government agencies to not just 
meet but exceed their small business contracting goals.
  Prior to joining the committee staff, Erik had already assembled an 
impressive and varied resume. A contracting specialist and procurement 
technician and Navy acquisitions consultant for the Department of the 
Navy, Erik came to the Senate armed with the necessary experience and 
knowledge to hit the ground running in procurement. A 2006 dean's list 
graduate of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan, Erik has also 
interned for the circuit court of his home county in Frederick, MD, in 
addition to serving as a law clerk for the District Court of Ingham 
County, MI. These experiences all led to the in-depth and extensive 
knowledge Erik possess about contract law.
  He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2002 with a major in biology and 
chemistry. This led to his work in 2003 as a research scientist for the 
National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes

[[Page 14309]]

of Health. Prior to taking that position, Erik went overseas to South 
Africa to take part in student research. He organized and presented 
several lectures on government and conservation issues, including 
voting rights and the AIDS epidemic.
  Erik has also given generously of his time in the service of others. 
He has been a dental assistant at the Virginia Homeless Dental Clinic, 
and received the Volunteer of the Year Award for his stellar work as a 
hospital operating room assistant. A division I varsity scholarship 
athlete in track and field--who was named a 2002 Virginia Tech Athlete 
of the Year--Erik has also combined his athletic prowess and engaging 
speaking skills to participate as a motivational speaker for Special 
Olympics athletes.
  Erik's perpetual smile and charming demeanor make him eminently 
likeable and easily approachable. His responsible nature and insightful 
analytical skills make him a key member of any group, and a talented 
Hill staffer. The consummate team player, Erik never seeks credit or 
recognition for himself, but always looks for ways that government can 
empower people to improve their lot.
  A proud native of Maryland, Erik Necciai has already led an exciting 
life. But on Thursday, Erik leaves the Senate to begin a new chapter as 
the director of an international consulting firm headquartered locally 
in Northern Virginia. I only hope that he can find a way to reduce his 
commute time. That said, Erik's determination, sincerity, 
thoughtfulness, and character will be sorely missed in the halls of the 
Russell Building. I wish Erik and his beautiful wife Tina the best in 
all of their endeavors, and sincerely thank Erik for his remarkable 
commitment to public service.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island is recognized.

                          ____________________