[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18132-18133]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MARGE VAN HOOVE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise to recognize with great appreciation 
one of my longest-serving and loyal staffers, Marge Van Hoove. It is 
hard to imagine that this day would come, but she has earned a restful 
retirement from public service.
  In January 1987, I had just been elected to serve my first term in 
the U.S. Senate, when Marge asked to work with me. Even before this 
meeting, she had been involved in my prior campaigns. Marge's 25 years 
of service in my Las Vegas office unlocks many wonderful memories.
  Marge has always been the first to arrive and last to leave. She 
never missed a deadline and was always ready with her quick wit. One 
night, I phoned the office and asked her why she was there so late. She 
responded, ``Because you are calling me so late.'' Her unyielding 
dedication to give each task her best is exemplary.

[[Page 18133]]

  Ms. Van Hoove was the matriarch of my Las Vegas office. She trained 
staffers and made sure the office ran properly. As the manager of the 
front desk and scheduling, she saw the process evolve from a pen and 
paper operation to the modern electronic process that exists today. She 
also made sure the office maintained the highest level of integrity and 
ethical standards. She would joke, ``I'm not going to the Federal 
prison in Lompoc for anybody.''
  Despite Marge's many responsibilities, she never forgot a single 
assignment. No matter what task was assigned to her, she would see it 
through to its successful completion. Marge never had a sick day until 
her recent health battles. And even during that difficult time, she 
worked from home and always staying abreast of all office business.
  Marge has a wonderful, engaging sense of humor and accompanied with a 
memorable laugh. She would pick out quirks among staff and with good 
nature poke fun at them. She also knew every member of my security 
detail by name and would charm them during their State visits. To her, 
everyone was, ``Jose'' or ``Lucille.'' She would always say, ``Ok, 
Jose'' or ``Here's the deal, Lucille.''
  Marge was not only a leader in my office, but a woman of great faith 
and strength at home. She was born in Santa Fe, NM, but grew up in the 
San Francisco area, which explains her adoration for the San Francisco 
Giants and 49ers. She was married to her husband John Van Hoove for 33 
years, and they raised two sons John Jr. and Steve. Marge is a proud 
grandmother of three grandchildren.
  Marge's departure into retirement leaves behind a void, but I know 
that she has instilled many of her strong values and tireless work 
ethic into the staff she trained. Marge's country western music and 
cowgirl boots will be out of sight, but she will not be out of the 
minds of those she worked with. Landra and I will miss our forever 
friend, Marge, and extend to her our heartfelt love.


                      REMEMBERING DANIEL K. INOUYE

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I rise today to say goodbye to my friend, 
Senator Daniel K. Inouye. This week in the Senate, we lost a colleague, 
a mentor, and a compass, and what is more our country lost one of the 
greatest heroes of the ``Greatest Generation''.
  We are a Nation that still holds its heroes dear, and that is why it 
is so hard to say goodbye to Danny.
  I can think of no place more fitting to say one last ``Aloha'' than 
at the very center of this Nation's Capitol Building as Danny rested 
under the Dome yesterday, which is the symbol of freedom to the entire 
world and the very freedom he gave so much of himself to protect.
  And protect it he did. Danny stood up and fought the racial 
stereotypes that would have kept Japanese Americans from joining their 
friends and brothers in World War II. His service in France and Italy, 
including his heroic battle in Tuscany which earned him our highest 
military honor, helped fight the spread of evil and hate and religious 
persecution. In Congress, Danny kept a constant vigil in the service of 
the people of Hawaii, making sure our 50th State was as well 
represented as any of the original 13.
  As we have gathered to honor him over the past 2 days here in 
Washington and will continue to gather over this weekend in Hawaii, to 
thank him, and to say a final farewell, we will be a Congress united. 
Not conservatives or liberals, Democrats or Republicans, 99 percent or 
1 percent. We stand together just as Danny saw us all: as Americans.
  Danny was a friend. Quick with a word of advice or encouragement, 
loyal to his friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in 
Danny's passing we lost a man who could bridge any divide. We lost a 
man who led in his platoon, in his caucus, and in his beloved home 
State of Hawaii.
  Danny will be missed by this body and by his friends on both sides of 
the aisle. But it is my hope his spirit will remain with us, and help 
ensure that the next generation of heroes has the same freedoms he held 
so dear. We will never stop fighting to protect them, Danny. Mahalo and 
Aloha.

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