[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12322]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO TRAVIS MOLLOHAN

  Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I want to thank a longtime and dedicated 
member of my staff, Travis Mollohan, and to wish him the best on his 
next professional venture--as director of State, corporate and 
community relations for West Virginia University.
  Raised by caring parents, Todd and Brenda Mollohan, in the geographic 
heart of our State, Braxton County, Travis learned from a young age the 
value of being involved in his community and the importance of being a 
team player. As a proud Braxton County Eagle, Travis was a member of 
the high school's award-winning band, speech and debate team and 
president of the National Honor Society. Travis even volunteered for me 
during my unsuccessful 1996 gubernatorial run.
  Travis graduated from Braxton County High School in 2000 and then 
attended college at West Virginia University. There, he was treasurer 
of the WVU Young Democrats, head of the Student Government 
Association's campus safety committee and studied abroad at Dublin City 
University in Ireland. Travis volunteered during my successful campaign 
for Governor in 2004 and began working for me in 2005 as deputy 
scheduler.
  From my first days as the 34th Governor of the great State of West 
Virginia, my top priority was to deliver excellent customer service to 
our fellow West Virginians. Travis was ideally suited for my team--he 
was hardworking, smart and always there to lend a helping hand to those 
in need.
  Travis served my gubernatorial administration in various capacities, 
and whether it was through tragedy or triumph, Travis represented my 
office with the utmost distinction.
  After winning the unexpired term for the U.S. Senate in 2010, I asked 
Travis to help me bring our commonsense West Virginia values to 
Washington. He served as my director of scheduling in 2011, before 
returning to my State operations as director of outreach. He did an 
amazing job visiting the beautiful communities of the Mountain State 
and listening to our citizens' ideas and concerns.
  Recently, I asked Travis to serve as my director of constituent 
services. I was confident yet again that he could do the job because 
Travis truly understands what West Virginians need--someone who is 
compassionate, thoughtful and knowledgeable about our state and the 
complexities of government.
  Not a day passes that Travis is not dedicated to making West Virginia 
a better place to live, work and raise a family.
  I am sad to see Travis leave my office, but I am so excited for his 
future. He has accepted a position with his alma mater, West Virginia 
University--our State's flagship university. No one is better suited 
for the task ahead of him than Travis.
  WVU has made a significant and positive impact on the Mountain State. 
It offers a first-class learning experience and its graduates are 
spread around the world making a difference. But it is more than just 
an incredible institution of higher learning. WVU's programs and 
services improve the lives of our citizens and our communities. In our 
daily lives, we can always do more, and I am so proud to know that 
Travis will be helping WVU reach the next level.
  It is very difficult to imagine my office without Travis, but I know 
he will bring the same level of excitement, energy, and dedication to 
his new position as he brought to my office for more than 9 years. He 
is a responsive, critical thinker who truly cares about our State and 
fellow citizens. He is a West Virginian through and through and a proud 
Mountaineer.
  Travis has a bright future ahead of him, and I am pleased to say that 
very soon he will be marrying the love of his life, Lindsey Bennett--
from my hometown of Fairmont--who is a beautiful and intelligent young 
lady. I know that they will have a long and happy life together, and I 
am proud to say that they will always remain a part of the Manchin 
family.

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