[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15349]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ANDREW WHALEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           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.
  Andrew Whalen helped run my very first campaign and played an 
instrumental role in my election to Congress. Following the campaign, 
Andrew served as a member of my D.C. staff as Communications Director. 
With Andrew's talent for grasping the breadth and complexities of the 
day's leading issues, together we were able to sift through some of the 
most intricate legislation of the decade. Then, after successfully 
running my first reelection campaign, Andrew returned to the office to 
serve as my Senior Advisor for Policy and Communications. Andrew was an 
exceptional member of my staff in every position that he held, and his 
political acumen and masterful communication skills continued to be 
invaluable assets.
  Andrew should be proud of the service he has provided to our District 
and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire 
from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North 
Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish 
the memories of serving with Andrew and the team by my side.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and 
thanking Andrew Whalen for his hard work on behalf of all of Western 
North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future 
endeavors.