Political Quotes

“Madam President, I rise today to congratulate and honor the retirement of one of my senior staff members and friend who has served in my home State of Idaho for the last 13 years as the regional director of my Lewiston office, Michael ``Mike'' L. Hanna. Following his retirement from the timber industry, Mike came to my staff after my first election to the U.S. Senate in May of 2009. I knew right away that he was a perfect fit for the regional director position in my Lewiston office. As a result, my chief of staff and I hired him immediately following his interview. Mike was born in Boise, ID, and was raised there and in the Emmett Valley, where his parents' families worked as farmers and sawmill workers. Growing up in a farming and timber family eventually led him to the University of Idaho, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in forest management in 1976. Upon graduating from U of I, Mike began his 33-year career in the timber industry as a forester with the Idaho Department of Lands. After 12 years with the State of Idaho, he transitioned to the private sector, where he worked for Empire Lumber Company, Weyerhaeuser, and Three River Timber. Given his expertise and vast knowledge of the timber industry, Mike was frequently called upon to participate in and lead collaborative groups and natural resource associations and organizations.…”