[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14752]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DARREL THOMPSON

  Mr. REID. Madam President, behind each Senator is a team of hard-
working and dedicated staffers who ensure our constituents have the 
best possible representation in Congress.
  For almost 9 years, Darrel Thompson, my deputy chief of staff for 
intergovernmental and external affairs, has been a lynchpin of my 
Washington staff.
  Darrel grew up in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, but he fights for 
my constituents as if he is a native Nevadan.
  Darrel works with Federal and State officials and business leaders to 
foster economic opportunities in Nevada.
  And Nevada employers and workers alike have been fortunate to have 
Darrel watching out for their interests.
  Sadly for us, today is Darrel's last day with my office.
  Darrel has lived on Capitol Hill for two decades, and he is leaving 
to realize his dream of running for the District of Columbia City 
Council seat for Ward 6.
  I know Darrel's talent will shine in this new endeavor, as it has in 
my office.
  Darrel has been a trusted advisor on international labor and 
employment issues, labor negotiations, and job growth.
  He has also been an advocate for social justice, and for both the 
faith and African-American communities.
  And he has always been a strong voice for the District of Columbia in 
the U.S. Senate.
  Darrel's prior experience has been also an asset to our team.
  Before he joined my staff, he was chief of staff for the Barack Obama 
for Senate campaign and finance chief of staff for Congressman 
Gephardt's 2004 presidential campaign.
  He also received his master's in public administration from the John 
F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
  I am so sorry to see Darrel go, but I know my loss will be the 
District's gain.
  I congratulate him on his 9 years of dedicated service to the U.S. 
Senate.
  I wish Darrel success in his race for city council as well as a 
lifetime of happiness.

                          ____________________