[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO TEQUIA DELGADO

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, the Senate is a place where we make friends. 
We have our differences on policy, but we truly are a Senate family. It 
is just not that way with Democrats who work in the Senate, it is also 
the Republicans. When we work together, which we do outside the view of 
most of the public, we work well together.
  One of the troubling things for me--I am sure it is for all of us--is 
when someone who is a part of the family leaves--especially it applies 
when you feel so close to the family member. Today, the Democratic 
cloakroom, the nerve center of the Senate and the entire Senate 
community, says goodbye to a dedicated staffer Tequia Delgado.
  I and we congratulate her on her new role as a member relations 
advisor for the White House. After graduating from Southern Illinois 
University in Carbondale, IL, Tequia started her Senate career as a 
staff assistant in my office.
  But even before that she spent the summer interning for this brandnew 
Senator Barack Obama. In 2007 Tequia joined Senator Durbin's staff. I 
have never truly forgiven him for that, for taking her from me. But he 
has done a lot of nice things, so I guess I will have to try to sweep 
that under the rug sometime, but it has been very hard. I do not think 
I have ever gotten over that. I have told him often that he stole her 
from me. But those things happen.
  On a serious note, it was the right move for her. It was an 
advancement for her. She is from Illinois. It has worked out well for 
her. She became director of constituent services and then a legislative 
correspondent for Senator Durbin, my dear friend.
  Despite her hard work in my office and that of the assistant 
Democratic leader, Senator Durbin, she found time to perform as a 
cheerleader for the Washington Redskins for 3 years. These are 
difficult jobs. They practice like the football team. It is hard. They 
have tryouts. It is quite an honor. So we have always recognized her 
for this accomplishment. That is certainly what it is.
  When she joined the cloakroom staff in 2010, she brought her warm 
personality and always a positive spirit to her new role. So for 4 
years Tequia has worked in the cloakroom, I repeat, the nerve center of 
the Senate. She has been an invaluable resource to all Senators. She 
has been an important mentor for Senate interns and pages. She has been 
a valued teammate and friend to our colleagues.
  Tequia's talent, dedication, and friendly demeanor will be missed by 
me and Members and colleagues alike. I wish her well in this next 
endeavor. I know she will perform admirably. We are fortunate that she 
will continue to work closely with the Senate community. That is her 
job in her new role as a member of the White House team.
  Congratulations Tequia and best of luck in everything you do in the 
future.

                          ____________________