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[Page H3884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THANKING CRAIG ROBERTS FOR HIS SERVICE AS CHIEF OF STAFF
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for 5 minutes.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I have heard it said that being a chief of
staff to a Member of Congress is one of the best jobs on the Hill.
It takes a special person to keep the staff performing at the high
level required of them. Burnout could easily occur because of long
hours, high stress, and low pay.
That is why I come to the floor to thank my chief of staff, Craig
Roberts, for his 24 years of service to me, the people of Illinois, and
the people of this country. Yes, you heard me right, Craig has been
with me for 24 straight years. It really has to be some kind of record.
Craig was born and raised in the Alton-Godfrey area of Madison
County. He was one of those kids who was drawn to politics as a young
kid, volunteering for campaigns in high school.
While attending Western Illinois University, he continued his studies
and political activities. He graduated with a degree in political
science and was an active member of the College Republicans.
Craig easily was hired by the Republican House staff in Illinois. I
may have met him then, but my first direct and consistent contact with
Craig was back in 1991 when he worked for the secretary of state. He
volunteered to take on the task of running my first congressional
campaign against an entrenched incumbent.
Running for Congress is difficult. Running against an incumbent is
even more difficult. Running against a powerful, well-entrenched
incumbent is crazy. Well, I was a little crazy, and I am glad Craig
was, too, as he started the task to win the race.
The district consisted of 19 counties. Neither of us had personal
money, but we put a little bit of our own in. I paid for gas and my
food. He ate the last month of his salary cost.
We lost in the Clinton landslide in Illinois, but Craig's involvement
helped provide immediate legitimacy to the campaign and made it
competitive.
In 1996, I ran again, and this time, Craig was involved as an unpaid
adviser. This race, I won narrowly. Once I won, I knew I had to ask
Craig to join me in D.C. and run my office.
I made many local Republicans mad by taking Craig away from
Springfield. In his time there, he had become highly respected. That
respect would be easily duplicated in D.C.
Craig's leadership style is uplifting and empowering. He softened my
big-hammer style and calmed the seas when storm Shimkus was billowing.
He is a mentor and a friend to all who come through his door. Team
Shimkus staff members can be found all over D.C., from the executive
branch to the Senate and the chief of staff of offices. They all stay
in touch and reach out to Craig for advice.
I left the D.C. hiring decisions to Craig. My theory is, if you hire
someone and it doesn't work out, you have to be the one to fire that
person.
My office staff is known for being open, accessible, friendly--most
of the time--hardworking, and knowledgeable. This is a tribute to
Craig. Our limited turnover is also a tribute to him.
Craig is a father figure to a bipartisan group of chiefs of staff.
Active in the Chief of Staff Association, he has helped Congress and
Members work together. In the heat of Member battles, chiefs talking to
chiefs can help work things out.
He is also a proud and active Republican. He is known for his
knowledge, organization, and planning. He volunteers and is an active
member of the Capitol Hill Club, which is a Republican club up here on
the Hill.
But a good chief of staff has to be a confidential adviser to the
Member. Members of Congress live in the governmental and the political
worlds simultaneously. So does the chief of staff.
The chief of staff has to ensure that the ethical boundaries are
known and obeyed. Action people take action and, many times, cross the
line. Chiefs, and particularly Craig, pulls a Member--and that would be
me--aside and keeps me away from the brink of doing something really
stupid.
Craig was and is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Maybe upon my
retirement, he can get some rest, but I doubt he will.
We both carry the political and governmental scars of 24 years of
service. Some can be seen while others cannot be seen. It is those
scars that will forever bind us together.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Craig for joining me in D.C., thank him for
staying with me, and thank him for being the best chief of staff on the
Hill.
____________________
