[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1209-E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO MY STAFF

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2024

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor eight members of my 
staff--Patrick Boland, Mary Hovagimian, Tim Hysom, Qiao Li, Colleen 
Oinuma, Ann Peifer, Margarita Pinon-Gutierrez, and Teresa Lamb 
Simpson--who have each spent more than a decade serving the House of 
Representatives and constituents in the great state of California.


                             Patrick Boland

  Patrick Boland, my current Chief of Staff, is a proud son of 
California's 30th Congressional District, growing up in Pasadena and 
attending Loyola High School. After graduating from Colby College, 
Patrick worked in communications roles on Capitol Hill for Senator 
Dianne Feinstein, Senator Charles Schumer, Rep. Scott Murphy (D-NY) and 
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA). He also worked on the campaigns of Rep. Raul 
Ruiz (D-CA) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA).
  Patrick joined my team in 2012, serving as Communications Director 
and a senior advisor for both my personal office and the House 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In his role as a spokesman 
and speechwriter, and director of the war room, during the first 
impeachment inquiry, Patrick's intellect, pragmatism, and dedication 
were crucial to the impeachment team's presentation of our case to the 
House, the Senate, and the American people.
  Since 2021, Patrick has served as my Chief of Staff, playing an 
integral role in my transition back to the Judiciary Committee. Through 
his leadership, Patrick has fostered a collaborative, inclusive, and 
results-oriented culture in my personal office. Additionally, he has 
mentored countless junior staffers and brought them under his wing as 
they begin their careers on Capitol Hill, always advocating for those 
he believes deserve a spot on Capitol Hill and a chance to work in 
public service.
  Patrick also worked as a Senior Advisor for my Senate campaign, 
helping oversee our political, communications, policy and paid media 
operations. His contributions and strategic vision on the trail were 
crucial to both our successful statewide campaign and to our support of 
numerous California incumbents and challengers who prevailed this 
November.
  Patrick is married to Jill, a Senior Policy Advisor to Sen. Jack Reed 
(D-RI), with whom he has a one-year-daughter Riley.
  Patrick is truly gifted at his job, holding an intimate understanding 
of the media as an enterprise and a business rivaling that of any other 
professional on Capitol Hill. He brings leadership, levity, and 
political acumen to my office every single day, and I am looking 
forward to seeing all that we will accomplish together as we continue 
our service to the state of California.


                            Mary Hovagimian

  Born in Burbank, California, Mary Hovagimian attended St. Mary's 
Richard Tufenkian Preschool & Kindergarten and Rose and Alex Pilibos 
Armenian School. She continued her education at the University of 
Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, 
graduating Cum Laude in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in communication.
  Mary was determined to delve into a career where she could give back 
to the community and make a meaningful difference in people's lives. 
When a career counselor at the University of Southern California shared 
with Mary that my office was seeking a District Representative, she did 
not hesitate to apply. In this capacity, Mary has devotedly served the 
constituents of my district, helped organize community outreach events, 
served as a liaison between constituents and my office, and directed 
Armenian American outreach. Mary has been recognized for her work in 
the community and received the 2014 Woman in Government Award from the 
Armenian American Chamber of Commerce.
  I have proudly represented one of the largest Armenian American 
communities in the United States, and Mary's Armenian-speaking skills 
in both Eastern and Western Armenian, a skill she credits to her family 
and education, have proven essential throughout the years. She has 
helped many constituents who have needed translation assistance. In 
2013, Mary also helped me speak this beautiful language when I decided 
to deliver my remarks in commemoration of the 98th Anniversary of the 
Armenian Genocide in Armenian on the House Floor. And no matter the 
issue facing the community, Mary navigates it with tact and skill 
unparalleled.
  Mary leads the effort on the annual Women of the Year nominations, 
which recognizes remarkable women from California's 30th Congressional 
District. Each year, she works tirelessly to acknowledge individuals 
who have made significant contributions to their communities through 
civic engagement, community service, and leadership in their respective 
fields.
  During her time with my office, I have had the opportunity to see 
Mary excel balancing her responsibilities in my office while working 
toward her master's degree in leadership, which she obtained in 2021 
from the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public 
Policy. She brought what she learned inside the classroom back to my 
office to champion the needs of the community. Mary is deeply committed 
to her family and community, one of the many reasons that she has 
excelled at public service.
  I'm excited that she will continue to make a significant contribution 
to our team's success in the U.S. Senate. Her deep understanding of the 
Armenian community and her unwavering commitment to constituents will 
undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to the team.


                               Tim Hysom

  Tim Hysom has spent over twenty years on Capitol Hill, serving a 
number of members in a variety of roles. A graduate of Dominican 
University, Tim began his Congressional career in the district office 
of Rep. David E. Skaggs (D-CO). After some time in the private sector, 
he joined my D.C. team as a Legislative Assistant in 2003. In this 
role, Tim advised me on my work on the Judiciary Committee. He also 
played an integral role in bringing my office into the 21st Century, 
completely overhauling my office's online presence and building and 
managing our constituent database. He also developed my office's 
strategic communications through emerging mediums, such as online town 
hall meetings, tele-town halls, and video conferencing.
  After five years with the Congressional Management Foundation, where 
he advised Members on how to effectively correspond with constituents, 
Tim rejoined my team as our Deputy District Director. As the boundaries 
of my district shifted, he created a strategic plan for community 
outreach for different communities and geographic areas to reach our 
new constituents. He also advised me on key transportation, 
entertainment industry, and political issues in our district.
  After two years in this role, Tim moved back to Washington, D.C., to 
serve as Chief of Staff to Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) from 2013 to 
2021. Building a congressional office from scratch is no easy feat, but 
Tim made it seem easy--leading to a successful House career for Rep. 
Lowenthal. After stints as Chief of Staff with Rep. Jake Auchincloss 
(D-MA) and as a House Shared Financial and Human Resource 
Administrator, Tim joined my team for a third time, as a senior advisor 
assisting me and my team in the conclusion of my tenure in the House 
and launching my Senate office.
  Throughout his career, Tim has proven his versatility as a leader in 
policymaking, project and human resource management, and constituent 
service skills. He has also mentored many junior staffers finding their 
way on Capitol Hill. His contributions to this institution have been 
immense, and I am excited knowing that I will continue to have his 
guidance and wisdom on my Senate team.

[[Page E1210]]

  



                                Qiao Li

  Qiao Li, a graduate of UC Berkeley, first entered public service 
while working for Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, a public 
servant of the highest order who guided the paths of so many in our 
community, including Qiao. She began with my office in 2011 as a 
District Representative. In 2013, Qiao took a brief detour to pursue a 
Master's degree in Global and International Studies from the University 
of California at Santa Barbara.
  In 2019, she rejoined our team, applying her knowledge to casework to 
better serve the community. In her role as a casework manager, she is 
the first point of contact for constituents who need assistance with 
federal agencies. It is not always an easy job, but Qiao's smile and 
dedication to helping individuals never wavers. Not a week goes by when 
I do not receive thanks for a constituent she has assisted in their 
casework with the IRS, VA, State Department, BCIS, or other federal 
agencies.
  Qiao addresses a wide range of issues and serves as the bridge 
between constituents and the federal government, helping them to 
navigate complex processes to ensure they receive the services and 
benefits they are entitled to.
  Outside of her role in the office, she is an active member of the 
community. For six summers, she coordinated the YUNASA Summer Camp for 
Gifted Kids. During her 11 years in public service, Qiao has been an 
invaluable part of the team, and I am so grateful that she will 
continue to leverage her expertise in all areas of casework to make a 
significant impact for people across the state of California in the 
United States Senate. Her kind spirit and unwavering commitment to 
public service will undoubtedly benefit our team and the state as a 
whole.


                             Colleen Oinuma

  Colleen Oinuma is a graduate of UC Berkeley, where she earned her 
B.S. in Environmental Science and actively participated in student 
government. Before taking her current role, she worked for a research 
unit studying MRI spectroscopy to help diagnose neurological conditions 
such as Alzheimer's, addiction and traumatic brain injury.
  Colleen joined my district team in 2011 and has covered a variety of 
issue areas, including the Environment, Energy, Rim of the Valley, and 
Space. Because of her work on the Rim of the Valley, we have been able 
to make progress in securing and protecting nearly a hundred thousand 
acres in the Southern California region for future generations. Colleen 
also manages all aspects of my schedule for California and played a 
crucial role in our successful statewide campaign for Senate, serving 
as director of scheduling and advance. Her strategic vision and 
critical thinking made the gears of a large campaign run, and we could 
not have done it without her.
  Outside of the office, she served on the board of OCA-Greater Los 
Angeles, a non-profit dedicated to advancing the social, political, and 
economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Colleen 
has also served as the Co-Director of the Asian Pacific American 
Legislative Staff Network. In this role, she took great pride in 
mentoring Asian American and Pacific Islander staff members. Because of 
her mentorship, countless individuals have entered and stayed in public 
service, leaving a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come.
  Colleen is married to David, and is a mom of three, Madeline, Hannah 
and Quinten along with her dog Austin.
  I am looking forward to her joining my United States Senate office, 
where she will serve as Deputy State Director. Her leadership and 
strategic vision will ensure I am able to serve all Californians.


                               Ann Peifer

  Ann Peifer began her career in public service as an intern for an 
Orange County State Senator while obtaining her B.A. in Social Ecology 
from UC Irvine in 1981. After serving in that office over ten years as 
a caseworker, field representative and ultimately district manager, she 
subsequently moved to the State Board of Equalization, State Assembly, 
and the City of Long Beach before re-joining the State Senate as my 
District Coordinator in 1997.
  Ann was the first person I hired when I was elected to public office. 
We met at an IHOP in Burbank and discussed how to establish my first 
district office and build out our staff. Her ambition, political 
acuity, and wealth of knowledge as a lifelong Californian and public 
servant prompted me to make Ann my District Director. After four years 
in my State Senate office, Ann moved with me to the House of 
Representatives, where she has served as my District Director ever 
since.
  As the longest-serving member of my staff, I owe Ann a debt of 
gratitude for building my constituent service operation and providing 
direction to our constituent services that is rooted in an authentic 
desire to help others and a dedication to public service that is 
unmatched.
  Under Ann's leadership, our staff has brought compassion, diligence, 
empathy, and a high level of professionalism to our constituents 
through casework and community engagement. Ann cares deeply for her 
staff and the nearly 750,000 constituents of California's 30th 
District. Her dedication to public service is underscored by the sheer 
volume of cases my staff has undertaken: Under Ann's leadership 
throughout my time in the CA State Legislature and House of 
Representatives, my office has resolved 36,000 cases for our 
constituents.
  Ann has been with me every step of the way--from the 21st State 
Senate District, to the 27th, 29th, 28th and now 30th Congressional 
District. I am grateful for her continuing service as my State Director 
in the United States Senate.


                       Margarita Pinon-Gutierrez

  Margarita Pinon-Gutierrez was born in Harbor City, California, and 
was raised in San Pedro. She attended Mary Star of the Sea High School 
in San Pedro and Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington. Prior to 
joining my office, she worked for UnidosUS, formerly known as the 
National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino nonprofit advocacy 
organization in the country, before moving into a life of public 
service to work for Lieutenant Governor Leo McCarthy, Rep. Esteban E. 
Torres (D-CA), and Rep. Hilda L. Solis (D-CA). Margarita also served as 
Administrative Assistant to several deans at San Pedro High School.
  Margarita has been a Caseworker on my team since 2007. I first met 
Margarita when I attended an event at Steven's Steak House and Seafood 
in Commerce, California, and I was deeply impressed with her dedication 
to the needs of Californians. Throughout her time with my office, she 
has handled casework involving the Social Security Administration, U.S. 
Department of State, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Office 
of Personnel Management, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. 
Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 
Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. Department of 
Education and the Internal Revenue Service.
  Margarita has provided translation services in Spanish to the 
constituents of my district and has served as a liaison to the 
community, attending numerous events of various organizations including 
the Glendale Latino Association and Adelante Latinos. Her warmth and 
dedication shines through every interaction she has with constituents, 
who are often navigating life-changing events.
  Margarita resides with her husband, Dennis, her brother, Luis Pinon, 
Jr., and her beloved dogs, Riley, Belle, Samantha and Lulu.
  Her passion for ensuring constituents have access to the services and 
resources they need drives her day-to-day work. I am grateful for her 
incredible expertise in navigating casework with a large range of 
federal agencies, and I look forward to seeing this commitment to 
service deployed in the United States Senate for the entire state of 
California.


                          Teresa Lamb Simpson

  Teresa Lamb Simpson is a part of a third generation born and raised 
in Pasadena, California. She took an interest in politics at an early 
age, as her grandfather served on the local school board and her mother 
was a volunteer who often took Teresa and her siblings to work on 
political campaigns. Teresa has worked in a variety of fields, 
including non-profits, law firms, restaurants, and retail management. 
Fighting the widespread aerial spraying of the insecticide malathion in 
Southern California in the late 1980s launched her into a career in 
politics.
  Teresa and I met during my earlier State Assembly campaign and 
crossed paths again in 1996 when she came on board to work as the 
Volunteer Coordinator for my successful State Senate campaign. After 
the election, she joined my staff as a District Representative in 1997 
and continued on to work on my House staff in 2001. Teresa has a true 
passion for helping people, serving as an exemplary community liaison 
between my constituents and me. She covered the geographic areas of 
Atwater Village, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Los Feliz, Pasadena, Shadow 
Hills, Silver Lake, Sunland and Tujunga. In addition to her work as a 
liaison and invaluable relationship-builder, she organized my 
Congressional Art Competition for high school students for many years, 
trained and helped manage our office interns, coordinated several 
community outreach events and provided guidance to my constituents on 
various issues.
  Outside of her role in my office, Teresa is a pillar of the 
community. She was the co-coordinator of the Children's Village at the 
Arroyo Seco Earth Day Festival and served on the board of the United 
Nations Association, Pasadena Chapter, the executive boards of the 
Pasadena Police Activities League and the Pasadena Police Foundation, 
on the City of Pasadena's Commission on the Status of Women and on the 
City's Library Commission. She also volunteered with the Junior League

[[Page E1211]]

of Pasadena, Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, and 
the YWCA Glendale and Pasadena. Currently, she is a co-founder and 
board member of the San Rafael Library Associates and active in local 
political organizations. For her community involvement, Teresa has been 
the recipient of the Rosemary Children's Services Golden Star Award, 
the Pasadena Police Chiefs Special Award for Excellence, the Democrat 
of the Year Award and THE Magazine's 50 Fabulous Women Over 50 Award.
  Married in 2002, Teresa and her husband, James Simpson, live in their 
hometown of Pasadena, California.
  Teresa will be joining me in the United States Senate, and I am 
grateful that she will continue her outstanding public service to my 
constituents throughout the State of California.
  In my twenty-three years in Congress, I have learned the important 
lesson that every member is only as good as their staff, and seldom as 
good as that. We could not do our jobs for our constituents without 
them and their labors, and my staff have been laser-focused on 
providing the highest level of service for the great people of Southern 
California. They have also fostered a phenomenal culture in both the 
district and D.C., one which has attracted and retained so many other 
brilliant and dedicated public servants through the years. These 
eight--who have each served more than ten years in the U.S. House--are 
some of the most dedicated, selfless, and talented individuals I have 
ever met, and I have been truly blessed to have them alongside me in 
serving our constituents in Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood, Pasadena and 
beyond.
  I also want to thank my other staff who will be coming with me to the 
U.S. Senate for their dedication, their public service, and their 
amazing intellect. I am so thankful that Danielle Fulfs, Marisol 
Samayoa, Kaitlyn Kelly, Jamie Thompson, Kyle Abrams, Dahvi Cohen, 
Manning Turkheimer, Colin Kruse, Mohamad Almouazzen, Maddie Barry, 
Christina Beros, and Jackson Boaz will also be joining me in the U.S. 
Senate.
  I owe each of these dedicated staffers my utmost gratitude, and I am 
looking forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the next chapter 
of our service to the people of California.

                          ____________________