[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROBERT EPPLIN

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise to commemorate the distinguished 
public service of Robert Epplin, who served for nearly 20 years as 
staff in the Senate, and most recently for the past 3\1/2\ years as my 
legislative director. Rob's service in the Senate, as well as his 
service in the executive branch, has typified what a dedicated public 
servant should be: he took pride in his work and faced challenges with 
determination and tenacity; he recognized what an honor it was to serve 
the people of this country and my constituents, in particular; and he 
had a respect for and an unparalleled understanding of the Senate as an 
institution. Because of these many fine qualities, Rob earned the 
respect and admiration of so many of his staff colleagues, as well as 
so many Senators.
  Rob got his start in Washington in 1989 working as a research analyst 
at the Republican National Committee. In 1991 he went to work at the 
Department of Education, serving in the office of then-Secretary Lamar 
Alexander.
  Rob began his work in the Senate in 1993 when he served as an adviser 
for budget, economic, foreign affairs, and defense issues for former 
Senator Bob Packwood of Oregon. At the time he accepted the position, I 
am sure he had little inkling that his work would lead to more than a 
decade of service to the Oregon congressional delegation. In 1994, Rob 
moved to the Senate Finance Committee, where he continued to work for 
Senator Packwood as a professional staff member responsible for 
pensions, benefits, social security, and economic issues. He then 
worked for the Office of Management and Budget before returning in 1997 
to the Senate and Oregon delegation as a senior adviser, and later 
legislative director, to my friend and former colleague, Senator Gordon 
Smith.
  During his career in public service, Rob left his mark on issues 
ranging from tax and national security to budget policy. But it was his 
long fight for the passage of historic civil rights legislation, 
including the repeal of the don't ask, don't tell law and hate crimes 
legislation, that gives him the most pride. America now welcomes the 
service of any qualified individual who is willing to put on the 
uniform, and we no longer dismiss brave, dedicated, and skilled service 
men and women simply because they are gay. In addition, those who 
commit hate crimes against individuals based on their sexual 
orientation can now be punished under Federal law.
  As Rob leaves the Senate after nearly 20 years of hard work and 
dedicated public service, he also leaves behind an impressive list of 
accomplishments, and colleagues whose lives he touched because he was 
such an exceptional role model and mentor. I wish him continued success 
and every happiness in the years to come.

                          ____________________