[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BLAKELY WHILDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2012

  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my 
Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years 
while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important 
responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my 
team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our 
District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, 
processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number 
of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more 
talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that 
each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of 
the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United 
States.
  My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs 
of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for 
the support and friendship they have shown me during my six years of 
service in the Congress.
  Blakely Whilden was the Field Director for my first campaign in 2006. 
Following the campaign she served as a member of my D.C. staff for much 
of my first term. Blakely helped manage and organize the office, and 
always with efficiency and friendliness. Having grown up in the 11th 
Congressional District, Blakely was proud to help represent her 
hometown District in our nation's Capitol. She was especially 
passionate about issues surrounding higher education and focused on 
policies that would help to ensure that all students have access to a 
high-quality, affordable education.
  Blakely should be proud of the service she has provided to our 
District and country. It has been an honor to serve with her and as I 
retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western 
North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will 
cherish the memories of serving with Blakely and the team by my side.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and 
thanking Blakely Whilden for her hard work on behalf of all of Western 
North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________