[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16540]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     APPLAUDING MATT WEINSTEIN FOR HIS SERVICE TO ALABAMA'S FIRST 
                         CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 26, 2015

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my appreciation to Matt 
Weinstein for his nine years of service to Alabama's First 
Congressional District. Matt's last day serving the people of Southwest 
Alabama will be Friday, October 30.
  Matt started his service to Alabama's First Congressional District in 
2010 as a legislative assistant to Congressman Jo Bonner (R-AL). Prior 
to working for the First District, Matt worked in the office of Alabama 
Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL) starting in January 2007.
  Upon my election to Congress in December 2013, I was proud to name 
Matt Weinstein my legislative director. In my office, Matt has been a 
dedicated advisor on all policy matters and served as a liaison with 
small businesses and elected officials in Southwest Alabama.
  Matt has been instrumental in my office's efforts to push forward 
with construction of a new I-10 bridge over the Mobile River. Matt has 
done an impressive job of working with the Alabama Department of 
Transportation and the federal Department of Transportation to remove 
bureaucratic hurdles. With Matt's help, we have been able to make real, 
tangible process over the last two years.
  When the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill hit Alabama's Gulf Coast, 
Matt helped Congressman Bonner advocate for our coastal communities. 
Matt played an important role in crafting the RESTORE Act, which was 
intended to keep oil spill settlement money under control of the 
coastal counties.
  I am especially grateful for Matt's service to our nation's service 
members and veterans. Matt did tremendous work supporting our nation's 
Navy and the thousands of Alabamians who work at the Austal USA 
shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. Matt has also assisted countless veterans 
with various issues related to the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
has supported my efforts to give veterans greater access to private 
care.
  Mr. Speaker, I asked former Congressman Jo Bonner to share his 
gratitude with Matt as well. Congressman Bonner said, ``Matt is one of 
the most talented and dedicated young men I know. He thinks 
strategically, always looking for ways to build consensus and get the 
job done. He was invaluable to the people of South Alabama during the 
aerial refueling tanker war, but he was equally helpful in getting 
those early contracts for Austal and during those difficult months 
following the BP/Deepwater Horizon explosion. I can't say enough good 
things about Matt Weinstein; he is truly one in a million.''
  A native of Mobile, Alabama, Matt has served his hometown with 
dedication, passion, and steady leadership. I wish him and his wife, 
Paige, all the best in their future endeavors. Alabama's First 
Congressional District will be forever grateful for his service.

                          ____________________