[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17352-17353]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               JOHN ARIALE, THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Crenshaw) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to honor the 
congressional career of my chief of staff, John Ariale. I first met 
John Ariale 13 years ago, right after I was first elected to Congress; 
and after that first meeting when I saw his keen intellect, I saw his 
wry sense of humor, his love of Excel spreadsheets, his laser-like 
focus on policy, and his zany Italian zeal, I knew that was a 
combination that I needed to lead my legislative office.
  They say that the decision to have someone be your chief of staff is 
one of the most important decisions you will ever make as a Member of 
Congress because the chief of staff not only represents your political 
views, but also represents your personal values. If there is one 
decision that I have made that I think would be unanimously agreed upon 
by my constituents as well as my colleagues, it would be the choice to 
have John be my chief of staff.
  John has assembled an outstanding team of individuals. He has led 
that team of individuals through thick and thin. We have fought and won 
some very important legislative battles, one of which is a proposal of 
landmark legislation to forever change for the good the way our Nation 
deals with individuals with disabilities. It is called the ABLE Act. We 
haven't crossed the finish line yet, but I am sure we will; and when we 
do, it will be in large part because of the moral clarity and hard work 
and dedication of John Ariale.
  Winston Churchill once said:

       We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what 
     we give.


[[Page 17353]]


  Mr. Speaker, John Ariale has given me, he has given this institution, 
he has given all of the individuals who have had a chance to work with 
him his heart and his soul. He has given his expertise, his wisdom, and 
his patience. There is little we can do to repay him for all that other 
than express to him our extreme gratitude and to wish him well on his 
next opportunities, his next challenge.
  And so I would say to John Ariale, as he leaves as chief of my staff, 
thank you for a job well done.
  God bless and Godspeed.

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