Mark Takano: “I rise with a profound sense of pride and a touch of sadness. After 13 years of service to this body as a chief of…”

“I rise with a profound sense of pride and a touch of sadness. After 13 years of service to this body as a chief of staff, Richard Kirk McPike is leaving my office. Kirk has been the leader of my team since 2012, setting up the office, building LGBTQI+ political infrastructure, helping me earn the Veterans' Affairs' Committee gavel and so much more. Kirk's proudest accomplishments are not counted in the bills passed or titles held. They are measured in the many people he has led and mentored, from interns to senior staffers. One of his greatest talents is knowing when to let go of great staff, understanding they sometimes need to grow beyond my office. Today, it is my time to do the same. I will miss my friend Kirk. I will miss his counsel, but I know he will serve the Commonwealth of Virginia as a delegate with the same intelligence and decency he brought to this House. I wish him Godspeed and good luck.”