Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I bid farewell to my amazing staff, some of whom are in the gallery, my wonderful colleagues on both sides of the aisle, constituents, and the myriad of unsung heroes to whom our entire Nation owes a debt of gratitude.

I thank them all from the top of my heart.

To my amazing family all around the country who has stood by me in times of both great joy and pain: my mother, DeeDee, and my late father, Eddie; my brothers, Tyler, Jay, and Bobby; my sisters, Hutton and Lily; and my treasured daughters, Daniela and Pia, who compelled me to run for Congress in 2018: I love you all with all my heart.

I depart this august institution with a combination of deep gratitude, a little bit of attitude, and a healthy dose of American optimism.

To those who are pleased to see this affable but outspoken gadfly ride off into the sunset, I am sorry to say that my mission to restore common sense and a home for the exhausted majority of center left and center right Americans is just beginning. It is a mission whose roots were not planted here in Washington or back home in Minnesota but rather 8,000 miles away on Dragon Mountain in Pleiku, Vietnam, where my father, Captain Artie Pfefer, was killed fighting a war in which he did not believe, but for a country in which he believed very deeply.

Last year, I traveled to the very ground on which he took his last breath and where I took my first.

He died just 4 days after the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and I have often pictured him along with a half million other young soldiers looking up in awe that morning, many probably in tears, as two fellow Americans achieved the unthinkable. They got a glimpse of America at her very best up there while we were at our very worst down here.

I picture our predecessors in this very room voting to fund both that giant leap for mankind and that giant tragedy for mankind all in the same year.

On my flight home from Vietnam last year, I reflected on my father and the 1 million--yes, 1 million--Americans who have been killed in service to our country since 1776. I thought to myself they did not sacrifice their lives for Members of Congress to act like kindergartners.

They did not sacrifice their lives for Members of Congress to spend 10,000 hours per week begging for campaign cash used to eviscerate fellow Americans running for office.

They did not sacrifice their lives for Members of Congress to do nothing as 60 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.

They did not sacrifice their lives for Congress to do nothing as 500,000 Americans go bankrupt every year from medical debt and 26 million go without any health insurance at all.

They did not sacrifice their lives for Congress to do nothing as 50,000 Americans die from gun violence and another 100,000 from overdoses every single year.

They did not sacrifice their lives for Congress to do nothing as wealthy industries shower millions upon millions of campaign cash on the very committee members who set the rules for their industries, and then Congress allows each party to collect dues from those committee members to fund their campaigns. It is legalized corruption, and it is unacceptable.

My father and 1 million other Americans did not sacrifice their lives for Congress to enable two private corporations, the two major parties, to maintain a virtual monopoly on our democracy, and having paid the ultimate price themselves, they surely did not sacrifice their lives for Members of Congress to prioritize their own self-protection over their principles.

However, they did sacrifice their lives because of decisions made in this very room by people just like us.

So, as I bid farewell, I humbly ask all the Members of the next Congress on both sides of the aisle to call on their better angels and act with courage, not cowardice: the courage to compete with our ideas rather than defeat one another with our ideologies, the courage to fix our problems rather than fixate on our politics, the courage to replace condemnation with invitation,

and the courage to replace confrontation with common sense.

In closing, I believe that we all have a choice to make--all of us. Do we wish to be a nation that metaphorically goes to the Moon together or one that goes to war against one another?

As a free people, that choice remains ours, all of ours. As Albert Einstein, a notable immigrant to the United States of America, famously said that the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.

I believe in us. I love you all, and I will see you down the road. Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Legislative Assistant, Ruby Zimmerman, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District.

Ruby is a Georgia native who moved to Washington D.C. after graduating from Georgia College and State University with a double bachelor's degree in political science and government and rhetoric. She started her career on the Hill as a Staff Assistant in Congressman David Scott's office, working her way up to being his Legislative Aide before joining my team as my Legislative Assistant. Ruby was essential in introducing my American Dream Accounts Act, a legacy bill that would help kickstart the lives and careers of the next generation.

Ruby is full of life and puts a smile on everyone's faces with her energy, optimism, and dog Tillie. Despite being the most recent member of our team, she has made a large and lasting impression on the work we've been able to accomplish in the final months of my term. Ruby has been a steady hand during a time of major transition. On her first day, Ruby was ready with her sleeves rolled up and hit the ground running. She's been the epitome of a team player, and we're grateful for her tireless service in advocating for the people of our district.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors and thank her faithful service to this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Legislative Director, Griffin Wong, for his work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I am thrilled that the end of my time in Congress will not be the end of Griffin's service to the district, as he will now become the Legislative Director for my successor, Congresswoman-elect Kelly Morrison. I could not be more proud or grateful for his service.

Hailing from Montgomery County, Maryland, Griffin had an early introduction to life on the Hill. His mother worked for Congressman Bill Lipinski of Illinois when he was young, laying the groundwork for him to live a life of service. After graduating from Boston College in 2017, he set off to Phoenix, Arizona to teach at Brophy College Preparatory. In addition to teaching there he also coached tennis and ran their immigration advocacy program.

Griffin started his work in government in the Massachusetts State Senate before moving over to the U.S. Senate for Senator Chris Van Hollen, and then to the U.S. House of Representatives in my office. Griffin has spent most of his career working on banking and small business issues. During his tenure as my Legislative Assistant, he guided my role as the Vice-Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business as well as co-chair of the House Entrepreneurship Caucus and House Stakeholder Capitalism Caucus. Griffin took over as my Legislative Director during a pivotal moment in our office and has shown strong initiative in directing my entire legislative agenda.

Griffin has grown into a valuable team leader during his time in the office. From tackling particular legislative issues to now directing the legislative agenda, he has done so with a sense of humor and practicality that is admirable. He stepped up when the office needed him the most. As a Legislative Director, Griffin brings a calm and collected energy, giving staff a sense of ease and confidence that the job will be accomplished. Griffin is one of the hardest workers I know. No matter how busy he might be, he will take the time for a phone call from a colleague or a meeting with a constituent because he cares so deeply about this work. His instincts, critical thinking, and thoughtfulness have made him a strong leader and manager. He is a trusted advisor, a fierce advocate for his team, and a committed public servant for our constituents.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have his dedication and leadership, and I'm extraordinarily happy that he will continue to do this work and serve the Nation and people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I wish Griffin all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for six years of faithful service to this Nation--and many more to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Executive Assistant, Julia Lopez, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud of grateful for her service.

Born and raised in Athens, Georgia to proud Filipino immigrants, Julia attended the University of Georgia, where she studied Anthropology and Asian American Studies. While in Georgia, she spearheaded the COVID-19 vaccine program at her family's pediatrics clinic and was one of the earliest programs in northeast Georgia to have vaccines available for under-represented communities and low- income families of color. She was active in Filipino student organizations while at UGA and has brought her passion for Asian American communities to the Hill. Julia first started in my office through the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS) placement program in spring 2022 and joined our team full time in February 2023 as our Executive Assistant.

A proud Filipina American, Georgian, and student group extraordinaire, there's nobody better at bringing positive energy a room than Julia. Julia is a great role model for all our interns and one of the biggest reasons why they have such a great experience in our office. Julia has been a critical part of making sure the office runs smoothly. Julia's commitment to ensuring students visiting our office in Washington, DC have an engaging and informative experience is admirable. She has personally ensured that hundreds of MN-03 students have met with me and toured our Nation's Capitol.

Julia exemplified Radical Hospitality by always going above and beyond for constituents and spreading joy to those around her. She is credited with starting the ``Joke of the Day'' tradition in my daily briefing books, which provided-much needed moments of levity during particularly stressful days. She was willing to take on any and all tasks and do it with a smile. Julia's role has shifted at multiple points during her tenure with our team--and she has been willing and eager to ride the waves as our needs as an organization have changed. From working with my Senior Advisor during my time on the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, to assisting my Staff Assistant with tours, Julia's flexibility has been a critical asset.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish Julia all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for two years of faithful service to this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Staff Assistant/Legislative Correspondent, Erin Dailey, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

Although she was born in Wisconsin, Erin was raised in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. After graduating from Armstrong High School, she attended Wesleyan University, where she played varsity soccer and received her degree in Government with a minor in Economics in 2023. Her experience studying abroad in Amman, Jordan, cemented her goal to move to Washington, D.C. after graduation and work in the public sector.

After interning for my office in the fall of 2023, she returned full time as my Staff Assistant in February of 2024. Being a constituent herself, Erin has been a natural at making visitors to our office feel right at home when they walk through the front door. From organizing Donuts with Dean to assisting with D.C. tours, Erin has been a critical part of my mission of Radical Hospitality. Her recent promotion to Staff Assistant/Legislative Correspondent was an easy decision, as she has always been happy to handle constituent communications, even during the most challenging times in our office.

Erin has been an amazing Staff Assistant that always keeps the trains running on time. She is full of life, vitality and positive energy. She is always looking to help the team and constituents make the best of their time in D.C. She practices the ethos of Radical Hospitality regularly to whoever she may meet. She always is learning and growing to broaden and develop her skill set even more. Hiring Erin was one of the best decisions we've made. As our final D.C. Staff Assistant, she is proof that sometimes the best is saved for last.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish Erin all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for her year of faithful service to this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Legislative Aide, Caroline Kenney, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District.

Caroline is a Minnesota native, hailing from the great city of Minneapolis. Upon graduating from DeLaSalle High School, she followed her ambition to Washington, DC, where she attended George Washington University. In 2022, she graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in political science.

Starting in my office as an intern in her senior year of college, Caroline quickly stood out as an invaluable asset to the team. She envelopes and promotes Radical Hospitality, which made hiring her as Staff Assistant an easy choice. As a self-proclaimed animal lover, she took it upon herself to write a letter to the Smithsonian Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute about the future of the Giant Panda Program when its future was still an open question. This year Caroline was promoted to Legislative Aide, a position in which she has thrived, introducing multiple pieces of priority legislation including the Voter Choice Act and the Porch Pirates Act. She proudly embodies the Minnesota spirit and greets all who come to meet with her with warmth and a friendly smile.

Staff and constituents alike know that Caroline is here for all the right reasons and is a tireless advocate for those without a platform. She's a pleasure to work with and our senior staff members certainly appreciated her keeping them updated on all the latest memes and pop culture trends. As an avid watcher of The West Wing, Caroline reflects that same good faith and passion in everything she does. Watching her grow from an intern to an accomplished legislative staffer has been an absolute joy.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish Caroline all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for two years of faithful service to this Nation--and many more to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Senior Advisor, Bryan Doyle, for his work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud or grateful for his service.

Bryan is an experienced leader, executive coach and strategic analyst with a proven track record of effective counsel across multiple industry sectors. His service, first as my Communications Director and then as my Senior Advisor, has been invaluable. Bryan taught our entire team how communications builds influence, influence builds power, and power moves policy.

Bryan has coached business executives, college professors, Congressional staff, students, and fast-food workers in strategic policy communications. A lifelong campaign professional, Doyle's skills as a community organizer complement his ability to communicate and problem-solve with diverse audiences with overlapping interests.

Bryan secured press bookings on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, The Today Show, NPR's Morning Edition, Good Morning America, and several hits for multiple shows on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. He led the charge for my successful Let's Grow! Caucus-wide campaign for Democratic Policy and Communications Committee co-chair in 2022, to which his skills in communications were critical. He has since taken on tech policy for the office, with a special emphasis on artificial intelligence, labor, international competition and small business.

Bryan brings a fresh and outside the box perspective when looking at the long-term trajectory of the office. His love of music and lyrics especially lightens the mood on tough days. He is willing to put himself out there, even dressing up as Teddy Roosevelt to bid farewell to a dear colleague on his last day in the office. Bryan brought his authenticity to work every day. My office wouldn't be the same without his zeal, sharp mind and propensity to break out in song.

Bryan often says, ``peace and love are action words,'' and I'm grateful he lent his considerable talents to our mission to inspire more of both in Congress during his 3 years on my team. His colleagues and I will miss his booming voice and big heart.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have his dedication and leadership. I wish Bryan all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for three years of faithful service to this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Senior Constituent Advocate and Casework Manager, Luis Gonzalez, for his work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud or grateful for his service.

Luis was born to immigrant parents, Sandra and Dimas, from Mexico. Raised in Houston, TX, after being born in Long Beach, California, he joined the Marine Corps straight out of high

school. Luis served honorably for eight years, including a combat deployment supporting Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). He served with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, Heathen Co., where he worked alongside exceptional Marines and honors the memory of Sgt. Trujillo, Cpl. Nowicki, Cpl. Hernandez, and Cpl. Gee. After his military career, Luis transitioned into public service, joining Congressman Dean Phillips's team through the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program, and quickly became the heartbeat of the office. We are so grateful that he chose to stay as a permanent member of my staff when his fellowship position ended.

When Luis commits, he commits. He adopted Minnesota as his home, our staff as his platoon, and our constituents' causes as his mission--and we're all better for it. A passionate advocate for people. The man even has a ``MN03'' tattoo. Luis is generous with his gifts and living proof of the immense value that exists in recruiting individuals from different life paths for careers in public service.

Luis is a strong advocate for veterans and the issues they face as they readjust to civilian life. Luis works tirelessly to make sure all vets and constituents get the assistance they need in a timely manner. Once Luis is on the case, he will not let go till the issue is resolved. His coworkers are never tired of hearing a boisterous ``Let's go!'' from his office after getting a favorable response from an agency on behalf of a constituent. Many of his colleagues agree that he would be the person they would call in the middle of the night with an emergency, both because he is so loyal he would always be willing to help and because he has inevitably dealt with any dramatic situation you can imagine at least once in the past.

In addition to his official role, Luis also served as the Unofficial District Officer Security Guard, Half Marathon Coach, and Pastry Chef. Outside of work, Luis is the best dad to Graysen Carol, an outstanding partner to Michelle, and an inspirational soccer coach in the Anoka Community.

Luis has embodied radical hospitality during his time working for my office--both as he engages with constituents and as he encourages and supports his teammates. He builds trusting relationships and strives to provide the best constituent service to each constituent and in every circumstance. He is an invaluable member of our team, and we are so impressed by his growth in this office.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have his dedication and leadership, and he will be dearly missed. I wish Luis all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for four years of faithful service to this Nation in my office.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Policy Advisor and Senior Constituent Advocate, Meg Montgomery, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

Meg Montgomery was raised in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. After graduating from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, she moved to North Carolina to attend Duke University where she obtained both a degree in Biology and the ability to be completely insufferable during March Madness. Meg spent a decade to New York, NY where she completed her Masters in Public Health and worked in a variety of health systems administration roles. Eventually she returned to Minnesota and began working for me in March of 2019, where she has covered both outreach and legislative activities in a variety of issue areas including healthcare, environment, energy, agriculture, aging, and education. The only things Meg loves more than health policy are her husband Dan and three children Rory, Montgomery (Monty), and Frances Miller.

As hilarious as she is brilliant, Meg always has a meme at the ready for any, and all situations. Her quiet wit and good questions always leave an impact on those around her. She provides invaluable advice on any situation and has the best style around. Meg is incredibly humble but should be so proud of her work in my office. She has helped me introduce several bills including: The ADINA Act requiring the same labeling standards for drugs as those that already exist for food; The School Access to Naloxone Act which would provide funding for and training on opioid reversal agents in schools; and The Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act which would create a Medicare buy-in program for first responders for the years between retirement and Medicare eligibility.

Meg has an extraordinary talent of turning a compelling constituent story into impactful legislation that will improve lives. She has created a unique role for herself serving as a policy and outreach staffer from the district office, which allows her the opportunity to leverage deep stakeholder relationships in older to inform the Congressman's legislative initiatives. Learning the legislative process while in the DC office is one thing, handling from the district is another matter. Meg is a bridge builder across various constituent groups to gather perspectives and gain valuable knowledge. She routinely guides me and our team through complex policy issues to make informed decisions. She is an excellent representative of me in the community and a trusted and high-performing team member.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congiessional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish Meg all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for over five years of faithful set vice to this Nation in my office.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my former Communications Director, Samantha Snuggerud Anderson, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. In September, Sam was appointed as Communications Director for the Minnesota Department of Education under the transformational leadership of Governor Tim Walz, and I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

A Minnesota native, Sam graduated from Minnetonka High School before attending Northeastern University in Boston where she earned a bachelor's degree in political science. Sam has been an essential member of my leadership team since the very beginning, and like me, came to this work with a background in marketing and a belief in the politics of improving people's lives.

Spanning impeachments, pandemic, and unrest, the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses were historic by any measure. Just when we thought we had cleared the most unprecedented news cycle of our careers, another would rise, and I leaned on Sam's counsel to navigate each. She is a one-of-a-kind professional whose sound judgement, smart instincts, reliable execution, and strategic thinking have been critically important to the success of this team.

We could always count on Sam's calm confidence and level perspective to ground us, but also benefitted from her creative spirit and knack for innovation. She is an architect and keeper of the Dean Team brand, instilling in our community a sense that representation begins with listening and a renewed faith in their government.

Preferring to work behind the scenes, Sam is quick to share kudos and credit, but her invisible hand left its mark in every aspect of our work. She is a skilled manager who built and led a pioneering communications team by identifying potential, carving out space for creativity, and challenging herself and others to do their best. When pitching a communications idea to Sam, her colleagues have learned to have a better strategy than, ``this is the way it has always been done!'' She has helped countless staffers grow into communications thinkers, coaching even the wonkiest members of our team on meeting-- and making--moments.

From Good Morning America to the Star Tribune, Sam has been there to help pitch, prep, and powder my nose for moments big and small. Under her leadership, our communications team became a branding powerhouse, crafting powerful messages, landing big interviews, producing captivating content, building a mass communications program so strong I regularly receive thanks from constituents on the receiving end of unsolicited emails, and even going viral for a TikTok dance or two. Sam did it all with an eye for authenticity and improvement, and each success became a new foundation on which to build.

Her work helped earn me a seat at the leadership table in 2022 when I was elected Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), and her reimagining of communications staffing and budgets has been recognized by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House as best in class. Sam has been invited by the CAO to coach new Chiefs of Staff on modernizing their own communications teams, leadership that will surely leave this institution operating better than she found it for generations to come.

In addition to her many professional talents, Sam is a genuine and thoughtful human, pottery aficionado, gluten-free bread enthusiast, and we're all better for having served alongside her.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she is dearly missed. However, I'm extraordinarily happy that she will continue to do this work and serve the Nation and the people Minnesota at the Minnesota Department of Education. I wish Sam all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for six years of faithful service to this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Director of Scheduling and Operations, Mae Hougo, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

Mae was raised in Minnesota and graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall. She ventured off to attend the College of Holy Cross where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government. Mae's passion for politics led her to many interesting and informative experiences that ranged from City Hall in Saint Paul, the Minnesota State Capitol, and Washington, D.C. Her experience of both campaigns and official side work have been invaluable.

Mae has worked as a political scheduler for over five years in Minnesota. Her unofficial title is the ``keeper of space and time.'' From busy session weeks, to packed August recesses, if things were going smoothly for my team and me, it was due to Mae's tireless work. Her foresight and creative thinking in a pinch saved each of us from more than our fair share of mishaps. Her colleagues will always remember Mae's organized and strategic thinking. Mae is dependable, determined, fiercely passionate about the work, and incredibly hardworking.

Mae has grown her role immensely during her tenure in this office-- she began her time with us as District Scheduler and ended it as Director of Scheduling and Operations, overseeing the scheduling process in both Minnesota and Washington, D.C. Mae's sound judgment and critical thinking have led her to become a trusted advisor to me. Her talent combined with her heart for the work have made her an invaluable part of this team.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish Mae all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for five years of faithful service to this Nation in my office.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Constituent Advocate, Hnuchee Vang, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

Hnu began her advocacy and policy career when she attended the University of Minnesota where she worked as a Crisis and

Legal Advocate at The Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education. She went on to work in the Minnesota State Legislature, where she worked in both the House and Senate. With Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, she assisted in passing various legislation including Immigrant Drivers Licenses for All, legalizing adult use cannabis, and grant funding for the Veterans Resilience Project. While in the Minnesota State Senate, she successfully passed the Hmong Special Guerilla Units Memorial Day. Before coming to my office, Hnu worked as the Director of Policy and Advocacy at a local nonprofit for the Coalition of Asian American Leaders.

Hnu is an inquisitive and joyful spirit. She is immensely reliable, wicked smart, and easy to have a long chat or a good laugh with. She has worked hard on behalf of the constituents in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. During her time in my office, as part of the Casework and Advocacy Team, she has helped the team return over $45 million dollars from the Federal Government to Minnesotans and the local economy.

Hnu has a strong work ethic and a steady approach to ensuring we provide the best service to Minnesota's Third Congressional District. Hnu excels in communicating with constituents; she delivers important information with clarity and kindness, even when that information may not be what constituents want to hear. She is a strong advocate who works diligently to ensure everyone she serves, receives the support they need.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish Hnu all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for her faithful service to this Nation--and much more to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my former Staff Assistant and Legislative Correspondent, Zehra Khan, for her

work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. In August, Zehra departed my office for a new opportunity to attend Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Science for Political Science, and I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

As a Minnesota District Three native, Zehra grew up in the district she so proudly served. After graduating from The Blake School, she attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Her public service spans time working in State Legislative Offices and at the federal level. Zehra has strong ties to her cultural identity and community. She has a passion for global women's issues, even serving as a delegate to the 68th UN Commission on The Status of Women.

Zehra's colleagues have had the honor of watching her evolve from a shy intern to a confident, capable Staff Assistant during her time in the office. Equally adept with pop culture critiques and international affairs analysis, Zehra has made our office both smarter and more relevant. Her deep roots in MN-03 allow her to both connect with constituents and offer the best local restaurant recommendations.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she is dearly missed. However, we look forward to watching her succeed in graduate school and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Deputy Communications Director, Abigail Fuchs, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

Abbey grew up in Minnesota's Third Congressional District in the suburbs of Minneapolis (Maple Grove and Edina, Minnesota). After graduating from Edina High School, she went on to attend the University of St. Thomas where she played on the Women's Soccer Team, ran track, and graduated with a degree in marketing. Abbey worked in campaign finance right out of college and then transitioned to my office in 2021 where she began as a Legislative Correspondent, was promoted to Constituent Communications Specialist, and finally held the title of Deputy Communications Director. Abbey is a team player at work and in her personal life, where she uses her athletic and leadership skills to inspire the next generation as a youth soccer coach.

Like my grandmother, the legendary advice columnist Dear Abby, I believe in the transformative power of listening. I often say that representation itself begins with listening, which is why I am so grateful that our own ``Dear Abbey'' has lent her considerable talents to me--and our entire community--for the past three years. Abbey upholds the very foundation of our democracy by ensuring every Minnesotan who has an idea, question, or criticism to share is treated with compassion, receives a response, and is invited to continue a thoughtful dialogue with my office--no matter their politics.

Abbey embodies the spirit of radical hospitality, is quick to internalize and act upon strategy, and has capably forged a new path in congressional communications. Abbey creatively transformed our email and mass communications program into a branding superpower and is the only communications professional we know to have received unprovoked thanks from constituents on the receiving end of mass emails--high praise in the age of digital spam. Her innovative approach to congressional communications has been identified by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House as best-in-class and helped propel me to a leadership position on the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee in 2022.

In addition to her outstanding work products, Abbey is a thoughtful and supportive teammate--always willing to lend a hand when needs arise. She is bright, energetic, and always looking outside the box to accomplish the goals of the office. Abbey brings optimism and a can-do attitude to whatever projects she is a part of.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and she will be dearly missed. I wish Abbey all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for almost four years of faithful service to this Nation in my office.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my Director of Advocacy, Taylor Mills, for her work on behalf of every constituent in Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I am thrilled that the end of my time in Congress will not be the end of Taylor's service to the district, as she will now become the District Director for my successor, Congresswoman-Elect Kelly Morrison, and I could not be more proud or grateful for her service.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Taylor earned a double major in Political Science and Justice and Peace Studies with a concentration in public policy analysis and advocacy from St. Catherine University and the University of St. Thomas. After college, she was offered the job of a lifetime in the Office of Governor Mark Dayton and (then) Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith. Her passion for constituent services and community engagement were fostered there until Governor Dayton's retirement. In early March of 2020, she was called upon to return to the Governor's Office, as the Director of Constituent Services and Public Engagement for Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. While there, she helped lead the team through multiple crisis situations including: COVID-19, the murders of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, and unprecedented numbers of constituent correspondence, casework, and community feedback. Transitioning from State Government to Federal, Taylor has brought a wealth of experience with her as she continues to build bridges in my office as the Director of Advocacy.

Taylor is a seasoned professional with sound judgement, and her broad experience has proven invaluable. She is a problem solver and creative thinker--eager to rethink systems and processes that are no longer serving their purposes. Taylor is a thoughtful and caring manager who invests her time helping her team grow professionally while also getting to know them personally.

Taylor is a fierce defender of the first amendment and capably coached my team members through moments of protest and celebration. Taylor is a natural in the community, building productive relationships and holding space for diverging viewpoints. Her approach to getting to the heart of the matter is most admirable as she does so in a gentle yet determined way. Taylor is Radical Hospitality in action--when you talk to her, you have her full attention. Taylor's bright spirit and warmth was a welcome addition to our office in a time of uncertainty and we instantly benefitted from her skills as a team-builder, morale- booster, and candy-dish-stocker.

Those who know Taylor well know that she is the biggest ``Swiftie'', the proudest of dog moms to her goldendoodle Ruthie (named in honor of her idol, Ruth Bader Ginsburg), and is fiercely passionate about making positive change in the world. She is incredibly kind, a listening ear to anybody who needs it, and a powerhouse in this work as a servant leader. She is a true professional in this field, and it has been a joy and an honor working with her over the past year and a half.

The people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District were lucky to have her dedication and leadership, and I'm extraordinarily happy that she will continue to do this work and serve the Nation and the people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District. I wish Taylor all the best in her future endeavors and thank her for her service to this Nation in my office--and many more to come.