Tom Harkin: “the omnibus appropriations bill that the Senate approved today includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, and…”

“the omnibus appropriations bill that the Senate approved today includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies bill. Or, as we like to refer to it, the Labor-HHS bill. Most people didn't think that would happen. They thought Labor-HHS was too controversial. There was no way the Senate and House could work out a compromise on this bill. But we did, and as the Senate clerk of the Labor-HHS bill, Adrienne Hallett is the staffer who deserves the greatest credit. More than any other staffer, the burden of completing this bill fell on her. Despite what so many people expected, she made it happen. Adrienne has been an outstanding staff director of my Labor-HHS subcommittee. She has served the Appropriations Committee and the Senate extraordinarily well during her 15 years of Senate service. I believe she will continue to serve it well after my term expires. I think a bit of background will help you understand why I have this view. First of all, Adrienne has strong Iowa roots. She hails from Cedar Rapids, where her mom still lives and enjoys the company of dozens of relatives throughout the State. Her father left us too soon after a battle with ALS ended over a decade ago. However, before his untimely death he had already helped Adrienne develop a strongly held view on service and a can-do spirit that propels her forward in pursuit of solutions to challenges that seemingly can't be overcome.…”