[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11971]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MEMORY OF ROBERT D. GETZOFF

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 19, 2013

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague from 
New York, Representative Tim Bishop, to honor the memory of Robert D. 
Getzoff. Rob was a dedicated brother, a beloved son, a caring uncle, 
and a fiercely loyal friend.
  To his many friends, he was one of the warmest, brightest, and 
funniest people on Capitol Hill. Though he was a self-described 
``Jewish rocker from Philadelphia,'' Rob was a friend of the Illinois 
Fifth District, having worked for my predecessor, then Congressman Rahm 
Emanuel, for four years.
  Rob served as Congressman Emanuel's Legislative Counsel for the 
Budget, Financial Services and Ways and Means Committees--a full plate 
of challenging policy responsibilities and assignments that Rob 
fulfilled with great skill and success. No one loved it more and worked 
harder than Rob Getzoff. In an office that prided itself on long hours, 
Rob made a point of being the first person in the office in the 
morning, and on many nights he was the last to leave. He served his 
country and tackled complex challenges and tight deadlines with 
intelligence and humor.
  Rob began his Hill career in the office of his idol, Senator Ted 
Kennedy, and tackled every aspect of his Hill career with the passion 
and dedication to public service exemplified by the late Senator. Rob's 
impressive record of accomplishment was built on his distinguished 
academic credentials. He held a bachelor's degree from George 
Washington University, a law degree from Temple University, and an MBA 
from Georgetown University. In addition to his service on the Hill, he 
added to his impressive credentials by becoming an expert in financial 
services regulatory policy while working for industry leaders including 
Citigroup and Bank of New York Mellon.
  Rob was a true policy wonk and a brilliant political strategist. He 
defended his views with passion whether he was trying to expand the 
Earned Income Tax Credit to help low-income Americans, explaining the 
greatness of eighties hard rock, or the eating habits of Great Cats. He 
was unrelenting in pushing his colleagues to do the right thing, 
whether the question at hand was a pivotal vote or a quality timepiece. 
He left a legacy of legislative accomplishments including meaningful 
lobbying reform, janitors insurance, closing the corporate jet 
loophole, and reducing the size of the ``tax gap.'' He also played a 
pivotal role in drafting comprehensive tax reform legislation that made 
the tax code simpler and fairer for all Americans.
  Rob was beloved by many who had the privilege to work with him and 
share his passion and dedication to work and friends. A legislative 
staff in a Congressional office is a small unit, and Rob was part of a 
family. That small group of people crammed into a not-so-large shared 
space working long hours on difficult issues got to know each other 
about as well as you can with people assembled by someone else. In 
stressful moments full of ``pushback'' and ``red flags'', he could be 
counted on to pitch in to help, or simply remind his fellow staffers 
``you love this song''.
  Even after Rob left the Hill, everyone wanted to stay in touch with 
Rob, either through a ``pop-in'' to the Longworth office or to meet for 
a cup of coffee for some advice and a few laughs. He maintained his 
relationship with the Fifth District even after his former boss moved 
on to the White House, serving as a friend and mentor to my staff.
  Rob brought that same joie de vivre to all of his work, on and off 
the Hill. It is no surprise that so many people in Washington and 
beyond have a story about Rob helping them out with a thorny issue, 
providing career advice or simply helping them during a challenging 
time. Rob will also be remembered by so many of us for how easy it was 
to become and stay good friends with him, and how we were frequently 
uplifted by his sense of humor, including his spot-on impressions, and 
his very infectious laugh.
  Mr. Speaker, it's not often I find myself in the position of singing 
the praises of a Flyers fan, and while I'm still happy his team 
finished second in 2010, there's no question he's first in the hearts 
of his friends and family. A few years ago the derisive term ``little 
punk staffer'' became a badge of honor among the many who've toiled in 
tiny cramped spaces like 1319 Longworth. Rob was among the best little 
punk staffers this institution has ever seen.
  He was taken from us prematurely, and so many people are devastated 
by this loss. But Rob wouldn't want us to be sad. He would say ``go out 
and enjoy your young life.'' He would want us to put on some Green Day, 
walk past the Capitol Dome and remember why we came to Washington in 
the first place. The best way to honor Rob is to do a great job while 
giving everything you have to some great friends. Rob, we miss you 
already.

                          ____________________