Political Quotes

“Madam President, today I wish to honor Susan Hawkes Wheeler, chief of staff for my Washington, DC, office, for her 25 years of congressional service. Susan's trusted, dedicated, and perceptive counsel have been of great value throughout my congressional service. Susan is a native of Idaho and has always had the Gem State's interests in the forefront of her mind. I am fortunate that she chose to serve Idaho through my office. I first met Susan when she worked as a television reporter and news manager in Boise and Idaho Falls. She covered me when I first ran for public office. Later, after a job interview on a twin-engine plane flying between Boise and Twin Falls, I hired her to help me get elected to Congress. Her sharp wit and directness was and is refreshing and effective. After my election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Susan joined my congressional staff as press secretary and moved from Idaho to Washington, DC. This was back at a time when faxes still came on thermal curly paper and speed dials were limited to 10 numbers per machine. Radio actualities were done by actually splicing audiotape and calling each radio station separately to play the soundbite for them over the phone line, which was a landline. As technologies advanced, she met those changes with imaginative approaches and implemented innovative ways to improve communications and outreach with Idahoans. Her responsibilities also increased in my office.…”