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[Pages S1069-S1070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO IYAD SHIHADEH
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and pay
tribute to a valued and long-standing member of my staff, Iyad
Shihadeh. After nearly 9 years of serving the people of California in
my San Francisco office, tomorrow will be Iyad's last day.
Iyad first joined my team in 2011 as a staff assistant and quickly
made an impression through his diligent efforts on behalf of the
Californians calling or visiting our office. Iyad was quickly promoted
to the position of constituent services representative, where he
managed as many as 200 casework requests simultaneously between the
Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security.
Iyad demonstrated an aptitude for problem solving on behalf of
individuals and organizations needing help navigating the Federal
bureaucracy. Additionally, Iyad took charge of the office's intern
program, guiding the dozens of students each year working in the San
Francisco office. Many of our former State interns and staff are
indebted to him for his thoughtful career advice as they made their
first forays into the field of public service.
In 2017, Iyad was promoted again to be the director of constituent
services,
[[Page S1070]]
in charge of a team of staff who receive, process, and advocate for the
casework needs of Californians seeking assistance from Federal
agencies. I have depended on Iyad's sound judgment, management
capabilities, and cool head in this critical function.
As all Senators know, your casework director needs to be a special
person. They represent you to constituents who are in need and often
have nowhere else to turn. I have been particularly lucky to have Iyad
in this role; he has performed with skill and with a deft personal
touch.
I am proud of our casework successes under Iyad's management in
recovering millions of dollars in benefits for those needing help with
Social Security checks, student loans, tax refunds, veterans' benefits,
and other payments from the Federal Government. He has worked on behalf
of countless constituents seeking visas or other immigration benefits.
When a constituent is in a foreign jail or has lost their passport
overseas, Iyad has been on the case, immediately, professionally, and
successfully.
I am particularly thankful for Iyad's help with Maria Mendoza, a
nurse from Oakland who is back in the United States with her children
after Iyad's work in securing an H1-B visa; also Maria Isabel Bueso, a
young woman from Guatemala who has lived in the United States for most
of her life in order to receive lifesaving medication, but who was
threatened last year with removal. Iyad worked with the family and with
Judiciary Committee staff, and now, Isabel has been given a stay from
deportation.
In addition to his casework efforts, Iyad has provided guidance in my
San Francisco office. His steady presence has been indispensable for
three State directors and four chiefs of staff.
Before joining my team, Iyad graduated from Purdue University with a
double major in history and political science in 2009. He received
academic honors, graduating in the top 10 percent of his class.
Following his lifelong passion of international issues, he dedicated
himself to his studies and wrote a dissertation titled, ``They Also
Served: The Untold Story of the Egyptian Labour Corps in World War
One.'' In 2010, he graduated from the London School of Economics, where
he received a master of science in the history of empires. His efforts
afforded him a deeper knowledge of economics and globalization, and
once again, he centered his academic curiosities on foreign affairs by
writing his thesis on ``Money, Arms, and Superpowers: British Foreign
Policy towards the War of Attrition.''
While I am sad to see him go, I am thrilled for Iyad's family as he
will join them in the day-to-day management of their restaurant in
south San Francisco. His energy, ideas, and ability to connect with
people will undoubtedly serve his family and community well for many
years to come. I am deeply grateful for the wisdom and dedication that
Iyad Shihadeh has brought to our office and his dedication on behalf of
the people of California. I thank Iyad and wish him all the best in his
future endeavors.
____________________