[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17513-17514]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO NANCY ERICKSON

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, when the Senate convened for the first time 
in April of 1789, there was a lot to do--and that is an 
understatement--not the least of which was to establish a system of 
rules to govern proceedings in the U.S. Senate. The first few weeks and 
months were going to be difficult, as they tried to sort out the 
structure and organization of this institution, but they had an idea. 
Two days after achieving its first quorum, the Senate selected a 
Secretary to oversee the day-to-day operations of what would become the 
world's greatest deliberative body.
  The importance of this position can't be overstated. Senators and 
their staffs come and go, but the Secretary of the Senate provides much 
needed stability and support. To put things into perspective, in the 
entire history of this country--225 years--we have only had 32 
Secretaries of the Senate. By contrast, there have been almost 2,000 
Senators who have served since its inception. That number will grow, of 
course, come January.
  For the last 8 years, Nancy Erickson has served superbly as Secretary 
of the Senate. But to be quite honest, that is what we expected her to 
do when she got this job.
  I came to know Nancy when I was the assistant leader, and a friend 
and confidant of Senator Daschle. Every time I walked in that office, 
there she was, always so very, very nice. She was a pleasant person. 
She was always smiling. We had some big issues, but she was always 
pleasant to everybody.
  Her first job here in the Senate was with Tom Daschle. She became his 
scheduler. But given her abilities, she quickly assumed more 
responsibility, eventually becoming deputy chief of staff. When Senator 
Daschle left the Senate, Nancy transitioned to the Sergeant-at-Arms 
office, where she worked as a liaison to Democratic Senators and their 
offices.
  Nancy is a native of Brandon, SD. She majored in history and 
government at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. She moved to 
Washington, DC, in 1987. Her husband Tom is from Sioux Falls. John 
Thune used to purchase suits from Nancy's father-in-law.
  Nancy's first job here in the Senate, as I have indicated, was for 
Senator Daschle. In her current office, Nancy has a collection of South 
Dakota maps hanging on the walls, one of the railroad tracks across 
South Dakota in 1886, one of Watertown, SD, and she has others. She 
even has a Rand McNally map of a long time ago that covers the entire 
State.
  As I indicated, when Senator Daschle left the Senate, Nancy 
transitioned to the Sergeant-at-Arms office where she worked as liaison 
to Democratic Senators and their offices. When I became leader and it 
was time for selecting a new secretary, I didn't look very far. I urged 
her to consider the position. I am glad she did. I have not regretted 
that decision, not for a second. She has proven herself to be an 
excellent manager.
  Nancy has 26 departments and about 250 employees directly under her 
supervision, not to mention the other 6,500 Senate employees who depend 
on her and her office. She has been faced with some difficult times 
during her tenure as Secretary of the Senate. There has been a lot of 
roiling--sequestration, a new health care rollout, and, of course, last 
year's shutdown. She has confronted each difficult obstacle with skill, 
composure, and that wonderful smile that she has.
  Nancy's success as Secretary stems not only from her excellent 
abilities but also from her character. She is a genuinely good person 
and she is very thorough, very thoughtful--I have already said that; 
very kind--I have already said that; very understanding--I have already 
said that; and something I haven't said, she is very fair.
  Whether she walks the halls here or on the Senate floor, she always 
has a smile every place she goes. I have said that many times. That is 
her legacy, and it is a good legacy. I have never--never might be an 
exaggeration, but extremely rarely--heard her criticize anyone.
  Nancy's time as Secretary of the Senate is coming to an end and she 
will

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be greatly missed. She has attended to the Senate's every need, day and 
night. She has earned a break, and I hope she takes one. I hope she 
gets to spend some time with her husband Tom, her daughter Drew, and I 
can still see in my mind's eye that picture she has of little Patrick--
that little tiny boy. She had that on her desk forever, and he kept 
getting bigger and bigger and became an athlete. We had many 
conversations--and I try not to boast about a lot of things, but I am 
always anxious to boast about my youngest son, who was a stellar 
athlete and played on three national championship teams at the 
University of Virginia--so I have watched Patrick become a college 
soccer player.
  There will never be another Nancy Erickson here in the Senate. People 
like her don't come along very often. But she leaves a legacy, and it 
is one that will endure through the history of this great body.
  So thank you, Nancy, for your service to the country.

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