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[Pages H4645-H4646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE SCHEDULER
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for 5 minutes.
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a group of courageous
Federal employees: Matt Nordquist; Janet Hartman, now Schmautz; Jake
Gibson; Carren Crossley; Virginia Mueller, now Partridge; Jordan
Haverly; Joy Henrichs; Perry Ford Stamp; and Molly Mackenzie Harris.
There is no more difficult job in Washington than that of a
congressional scheduler. My thanks and apologies go to those who served
in my office these past 24 years.
For me, being away from home was the worst part of the job. Who
booked the flight and told me I had to get back to D.C.? The scheduler
did. Who would meet me in the office at 7:30 a.m. to get me to a
breakfast meeting at 8 a.m.? Who would hang around to pick me up at 9
a.m., just to race me to the Hill for a 9 a.m. meeting? The scheduler
did. Who received an irate call from me wondering why no one was at the
meeting in HC-5, only to be told that if I had looked at my schedule, I
would have seen that the meeting location had changed to the Capitol
Hill Club? The scheduler did.
Who took the frustrating call asking how I can be in a meeting in the
Capitol from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and then in my office in the
Rayburn Building for an 11 a.m. meeting? The scheduler did. Who took
the blame when I finally cried out that I needed a bathroom break after
consecutive 30-minute meetings? The scheduler did. Who picked me up
after votes at 6:30 p.m. to hit a reception at 6:45 p.m., another
[[Page H4646]]
one at 7 p.m., and then dinner at another location at 7:30 p.m.? The
scheduler did.
Who scheduled the flight to get me home, and then had to sweat as to
whether I could make the early flight or not? Who received my
continuous calls asking them if I thought I could make it? The
scheduler did. Who waited in the car for that final vote just to see me
run down the stairs and tell them, let's go, just to get caught in
traffic in the plaza, traffic on Independence Avenue, and traffic on
Interstate 395? The scheduler did.
Who had to put up with the worst backseat driver in Washington, D.C.?
The scheduler did. My schedulers took the brunt of my frustration as we
tried to fit 36 hours of work into a 24-hour day. They took the barbs
of criticism when I missed my family.
If there was ever a single group that I need to apologize to, it is
them. Having said this, this group of workers professionally conducted
their job with poise, confidence, efficiency, and compassion. I can say
without hesitation that because of me, the toughest job in my office is
that of the scheduler. Matt, Janet, Jake Carren, Virginia, Jordan, Joy,
Perry, and Molly, I thank you.
____________________