[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 114 (Wednesday, July 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H4568-H4569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THANKING KEITH STERN FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
(Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute.)
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful
House of Representatives, I rise to offer thanks to one of the most
skilled staffers that I--and I know many of us agree--have ever worked
with.
After nearly three decades of service to the people's House, this is
Keith Stern's last week on Capitol Hill. Anyone who has had the
pleasure of working with Keith has not only witnessed a commanding
knowledge of rules and parliamentary procedure but a commitment to
using that knowledge to help all of us serve the American people.
He has helped the House fulfill its critical mission at every stage
of his remarkable career. As an eager intern fresh out of Allegheny
College, as an L.A., as a Rules associate, as a chief of staff, as a
floor director, and now as my senior adviser, he has brought to every
job a reverence for this institution and for its duty to the American
people.
No matter what storm may have been raging--the horrors of 9/11, a
global financial meltdown, an unprecedented pandemic, and on January 6,
when we saw Keith muster calm, steadfast courage as he maintained order
in this Chamber and ensured our safety--throughout it all, Keith's
service to us and our country has never wavered. His resolve has only
strengthened.
Over the years, he has become a friend, a confidant, and an adviser
to our entire Caucus. He has earned the profound respect of our
colleagues across the aisle because whatever your politics are, true
talent is undeniable--on the floor and on the basketball court.
This institution is stronger, our country is better off, and our
future more promising because of what Keith has brought to bear. I will
always be grateful for his wise counsel that has guided me and so many
of us.
While Keith may never come to respect the Boston Celtics, he has
always respected the work that we do here in the people's House. He is
a model for anyone who enters this building looking to make a
difference.
Keith, you will be missed. I thank you for your work, your grace,
your humor, and your friendship.
To your family--Cara, Sandy, and Colleen, and your dad and Judy, who
are here with us--please know how grateful we are for your service, as
well.
We look forward to all the success ahead, and know this: You will
always have a home here in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi),
our Speaker Emerita.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank our distinguished whip for yielding
and for her beautiful statement about a great person who has honored us
with his work and his patriotism in this body.
It is my privilege to join my colleagues on the floor of the House as
we celebrate a true public servant and a trusted aide to so many of us,
Keith Stern.
Keith first came to Congress in 1997 to work for Representative
Lucille Roybal-Allard. He comes from Los Angeles, so we are very proud
of him as a Californian--even though he is a Dodger fan, but that is a
different story.
Over the next three decades, he went on to hold many top jobs in the
House, always working for the people. For Jim McGovern, he was at the
center of policy development on the powerful Rules Committee. As floor
director of operations for me as Speaker of the House, he provided
expertise for Democrats' major legislative achievements. For Whip
Clark, he has provided counsel on major issues facing the House. He has
been tactically, strategically, philosophically, and in every way a
major asset.
Working for more than 7 years in my office, he was simply invaluable.
Throughout his tenure, Keith has offered indispensable expertise in
House procedure. Coming from the Rules Committee, his vast
institutional knowledge made Keith a trusted strategic resource in
legislating.
In every role, his service has been marked by insight, integrity,
dependability, and unending devotion to this House of Representatives,
even in the most trying of times.
My staff in the Office of the Speaker were the finest group of public
servants in the House. I always brag about them, the greatest staff
ever assembled in the history of the House of Representatives. Keith
was a shining example of that brilliance, dedication, and patriotism.
Congratulations, Keith, on a job well done. Thank you for your
leadership, which has made a difference in the lives of so many people.
Best wishes to you, and gratitude for sharing you with us to Cara; your
two beautiful children, Sandy and Colleen; your parents, your mom, your
stepmom, and your dad, who are here with us in the gallery, as you
embark on this new chapter.
Thank you, Keith Stern, for your patriotism and your service, and
best wishes to you as you go forward.
Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), my fellow Bay Stater and ranking
member of the Rules Committee.
{time} 1715
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in honoring
Keith Stern and expressing gratitude for his service to this Congress
and to our country.
In between working for former Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard
and then for Speaker Pelosi and Democratic Whip Clark, he worked with
me first as a legislative assistant and then as my top person on the
Rules Committee.
Keith has an incredible knowledge of the legislative process. He
knows how to get stuff over the finish line. He has made a real
difference.
As my colleagues know, ending hunger has been a top priority of mine.
In 2022, the Biden administration convened a White House Conference on
Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. It was only the second time a White
House convened such a conference. The first one was held in 1969. Keith
actually wrote the first bill back in 2010 directing the White House to
bring together experts to craft a national plan to end hunger.
I have learned an awful lot from Keith, and he has helped me achieve
countless policies to help people here at home and around the world. I
will always be grateful.
A lot of Members of Congress and a lot of staff have also benefited
from
[[Page H4569]]
Keith's guidance, and I have talked to countless Members and staffers
who say that he has served as a mentor to them, teaching them about
procedure and how to use the legislative process to do good.
There are people who began as interns on the Hill who never thought
of making a career here but who did because of Keith.
Keith is not only a great member of this congressional community;
more importantly, he is a good person. He is decent, he is caring, and
he respects this institution.
I acknowledge his incredible family. I acknowledge his wife, Cara;
and his incredible kids, Sandy and Colleen. They have all sacrificed a
lot so that Keith can serve his country.
I appreciate his many years of friendship. My wife, Lisa; and my
kids, Molly and Patrick, adore him. They like him better than me.
Keith, I am proud to know you. I feel privileged to be your friend,
and I am confident you will do great things in the future.
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