Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Matthew Bueltel for an amazing two years with my office, first as an intern and most recently as my Senior Outreach Representative.

Matthew first joined my team as an intern in 2024 and came on full- time in 2025. He is a self-starter and is always willing to go the extra mile. Since coming on board, Matthew has helped to organize over 30 events in the district and throughout this Congress, has attended over 50 events out in the community. His positivity, proactivity and relationship building skills have been assets in his role.

As a Minnesota native, Matthew cares deeply about local politics and this is shown through his work. I know his approachable nature and adaptability will serve him well in his next chapter.

I look forward to seeing what Matthew does next and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank Madeleine Lerner for five years of service with my office, most recently as my District Director.

Madeleine began her work with my office as a Community Liaison, supporting relationship building and stakeholder engagement efforts. She was later promoted to Senior Community Liaison, Director of Community Engagement, Deputy District Director and ultimately, District Director.

During her time as District Director, Madeleine strengthened our casework operation, leading to over $11 million returned to constituents. She also steered the district team through the uncertainty of Operation Metro Surge and worked diligently to support Minnesotans facing the unimaginable. I'll always be grateful for the work Madeleine did in traveling with me to El Paso to support a constituent and work for their release from ICE detention.

Madeleine leads with empathy and I know this trait will serve her well in the future. I've always appreciated Madeleine's dedication to

the work and the relationships she was able to build in the community. I've valued Madeleine's advice and counsel over the years and wish her the best in her future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Les Anderson for over six years of service with my team as an Agricultural Liaison.

Les has been a key advisor on agriculture issues and truly knows what is most important to Minnesota farmers. Les first joined my team after serving as the President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. He farms in Cannon Falls, Minnesota and grows corn and soybeans.

Les is the longest serving employee in my district office. He has been steadfast in his commitment to our mission and never fails to make me laugh. His positive attitude and compassion are qualities that will serve him well in the future.

I know Les will continue advocating on behalf of Minnesota's farmers. I wish him the best in his future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank Morgan Durfee for one year of service with my office.

Morgan serves as the Senior Constituent Services Manager in my office. He is a dedicated public servant and serves the constituents of Minnesota's Second Congressional District with empathy and sincerity. Morgan spent two years at the Minnesota State Legislature before joining my team.

This Congress alone, Morgan has opened over 100 cases and helped the team to deliver $5.6 million back to constituents. His meticulousness and dedication to casework was critical during Operation Metro Surge, where he worked to support over 20 constituents with ICE.

I have full confidence that Morgan will continue to give back to Minnesotans in his next career step. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate John Helcl for his one year of service with my office.

John is my office's Veterans Constituent Advocate and he serves active duty and veteran constituents in my district. John first joined my team after losing his job with the VA due to the Trump Administration's sweeping layoffs. He spoke at a press conference I hosted and bravely shared his story. I was proud to have John join my team. In fact, John's son Jack wants to work in my office as an intern. He's 13 years old but eager to follow in his father's footsteps.

John is an army veteran and spent most of his career in public safety, working for both the state and federal governments. His resilience and dedication will only benefit him in future endeavors. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree at Hamline University.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and thank llhan Abdullahi for her over one year of service with my office.

Ilhan is my district office Staff Assistant/Constituent Advocate and she joined the team after serving as an intern in 2025. This Congress alone, Ilhan has opened over 120 cases and helped the team to deliver $5.6 million back to constituents. She singlehandedly returned over $500,000 to a single constituent this year.

Ilhan's positive attitude, collaborative nature and dedication to serving the community will serve her well in the future. I'll always be proud to have been an early part of llhan's career and I wish her the best in her future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Caroline Gauthier for her service in my office as Press Secretary.

Caroline, a native Minnesotan, was truly passionate in communicating our stories to our constituents. She dramatically improved our social media footprint and regularly had some of the most read newsletters my office has ever seen.

I know Caroline is passionate about public service as she previously interned for both Congresswoman McCollum and Leader Hakeem Jeffries. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank and congratulate Jackie Weyerhauser for her time in my office as my Executive Assistant and now a Legislative Correspondent.

Jackie has truly been an asset to me over the last two years helping me meet with as many groups as possible across the Hill and greater Washington, DC. Her attention to detail is unmatched in what can be a thankless job. She always sought to take on more responsibility and grow in our office.

I'll always be proud to have been an early part of Jackie's career and wish her the best moving forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Jill Reilly for an amazing two years as my Communications Director.

Jill is one of the most skilled communications professionals I've ever worked with. She's been a true professional having brought strengths with her from Senator Jon Tester's office.

While it may have been only two years, the success of Jill in our office feels like several more. Jill has some of the best pitching skills for an elected official that I have ever seen and is skilled enough to craft a successful narrative with all types of reporters.

I'll always be grateful for the work Jill did in traveling with me to El Paso to better share a constituent's story and work for their release from ICE detention.

I know Jill will continue to be a strong public servant and communications professional and I wish her the best in her future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Laura Cottrell for over four years of service with my team, most recently as my Chief of Staff.

Laura has been a dedicated public servant, having previously worked in the offices of former Congressman Anthony Brindisi and Senator Jon Ossoff.

Laura first joined my team during the 2022 election cycle. She came on board as my Communications Director and immediately elevated our office's approach to sharing our accomplishments. Our franking program dramatically improved under her leadership and she secured several strong headlines showcasing our wins for constituents.

Laura rose to the role of Chief of Staff at the end of 2024 and led my office through countless new challenges, all while maintaining a strong office culture. It has been amazing watching Laura excel in her career throughout her time with my team. She navigated several changing dynamics including becoming Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee.

I've always appreciated Laura's advice and counsel over the years and wish her the best in her future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Lily Williams' service to my office as a Staff Assistant/Legislative Correspondent.

Lily started in my office as an intern and helped our office move offices within Rayburn. She stepped back into our office earlier this year as Staff Assistant and was great at handling constituent requests and providing exceptional service to Minnesota's Second District.

Lily has a passion for public service and mental health and I look forward to following her career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Meghan Mullon for an amazing four years and two full sessions of Congress with my office, most recently as my Legislative Director.

A native Minnesotan, Meghan joined my team in 2023 from the Energy and Commerce Committee. She immediately began strengthening my office's work on health care and mental health legislation. Meghan is a true public servant at heart, always striving to provide constituents with the best possible legislative outcome. She has fostered several strong stakeholder relationships with our office. Meghan saw several bills she led signed into law and several others pass the House.

She has also steered our legislative team during a trying time for Minnesota and navigated several complex political challenges. I'm confident Meghan will continue a long career in public service to Minnesotans.

I've always appreciated Meghan's advice and counsel over the years and wish her the best in her future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Rachel Hunter for five years of service in my congressional office, most recently as a Senior Legislative Assistant.

Rachel began her time in my office as a Staff Assistant in 2021. She's risen from that position to Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Assistant and now Senior Legislative Assistant. It has been a privilege to watch Rachel grow in her career. She has regularly been a creative legislative staffer focused on government reform legislation and strengthened my office's work within the Congressional Equality Caucus.

Rachel has truly found her calling as she's started part-time law school and has focused her efforts on tech policy. I look forward to following Rachel's career and wish her the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Siri Hoff for her service to my congressional office (and her home district) of Minnesota's Second District.

Siri started in my office as a Staff Assistant, handling several types of constituent requests and providing exceptional service. She quickly became my Legislative Correspondent, writing dozens of constituent response letters to all kinds of policy issues. Siri has been vital to my work as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and helped lead the introduction of the Every Child Deserves a Family Act and became a Legislative Assistant.

Siri has a passion for ensuring the folks in Minnesota's Second District get the best representation possible and fighting for them. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Skylar Borchardt for more than five years of service throughout three sessions of Congress to my office, most recently as my Deputy Chief of Staff.

Skylar began his time in my office as a Legislative Assistant, was promoted to Legislative Director and ultimately Deputy Chief of Staff. As a native Minnesota, he thrived with stakeholder relationships, particularly among labor unions and law enforcement. He was integral in helping pass the Public Safety Officer Support Act and ultimately led my office's work delivering millions of dollars back to Minnesota in community project funding.

He was always willing to take on new challenges, including serving as the Acting Staff Director for my first couple of months as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee and moving to my Senate race as Political Director.

I've always appreciated Skylar's advice and counsel over the years and wish him the best in his future.