[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8587]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




THANKING MATTHEW HERRMANN FOR TEN YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES 
                    CONGRESS AND THE PEOPLE OF GUAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2017

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Matthew Herrmann for 
ten years of service to the people of Guam and the United States 
Congress. Over the last decade, Matt has served diligently in my office 
here in Washington, D.C. and he has been instrumental to enacting 
numerous public policies that have benefitted my constituents in Guam 
and our nation as a whole.
  Matt joined my office in May of 2007 as my Military Legislative 
Assistant and he went on to become my Legislative Director and then 
Chief of Staff. He concurrently serves as an Adjunct Professor at 
American University here in Washington, D.C. where he teaches a course 
on the impact of technology on the American political system. Prior to 
joining my office, Matt was the Executive Officer to the Director at 
the National Guard Bureau Office of Legislative Liaison.
  During his time in my office, Matt has overseen many legislative 
responsibilities and he has provided me with invaluable counsel in 
fulfilling my role as Guam's only representative in Congress. He has 
been my key advisor on issues impacting our military, veterans, and 
foreign policy. I have especially appreciated his commitment to 
enhancing the role and resourcing of the National Guard, efforts for 
which his actions have been widely recognized. His guidance has also 
been critical to securing millions in dollars for Guam as well as 
ensuring that programs such as the realignment of Marines from Okinawa 
to Guam moves forward in a way that not only satisfies the Department 
of Defense's needs, but also has a positive benefit to the people of 
Guam and the entire Asia-Pacific region.
  Matt was also instrumental to my success in including the Guam World 
War II Loyalty Recognition Act as a provision of the FY17 National 
Defense Authorization Act, which was signed in to law by President 
Barack Obama on December 23, 2016. This was historic legislation that 
finally authorized, after more than 70 years, the payment of claims to 
the patriotic Chamorro Americans on Guam who endured brutal enemy 
occupation during World War II.
  Matt's professionalism, understanding of the complexities of the 
legislative process, and personable demeanor have been critical to his 
successes here on the Hill and in turn helped me best represent people 
of Guam. Further, on a personal note, Matt has also been a close mentor 
and confidant to many current and former staff members and he was 
always willing to lend his personal and professional experiences to 
guide and direct them. He has fostered strong bipartisan relationships 
with Congressional staffers, officials in the Administration, as well 
as key stakeholders in the private and non-government industries, and 
he will be deeply missed here on Capitol Hill.
  Mr. Speaker, Matt's departure from my office will leave a void that 
will be difficult to fill. I will miss his counsel and the light 
heartedness he brought to my office every day. I am proud of the growth 
and experiences that he has had while working on behalf of my 
constituents and the American people. So on behalf of the people of 
Guam, I extend my sincere un dangkulo na si Yu'os Ma'ase (with deepest 
gratitude) to him, and I wish him well as he begins this next chapter 
in his life.

                          ____________________