John Shimkus: “I thank my colleague and next-door neighbor from Kentucky for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, the legislative director…”

“I thank my colleague and next-door neighbor from Kentucky for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, the legislative director, together with the legislative staff, advises congressmen on legislative issues. This position assists in the development of policy positions and legislative initiatives and assists in managing the office's legislative staff. Restated in my language, the nuts and bolts of everything legislative goes through the legislative director. Mr. Speaker, I have been blessed with seven legislative directors. All of them are truly professional. All of them I would like to thank today. Many of them spent many years with me. A couple held the job long enough for a cup of coffee. All have moved on to bigger and better things. Cheryl Crate, originally from Oklahoma, was my first legislative director. She helped set up my office and got it running smoothly. Dan Blankenburg is from Downers Grove, Illinois. He has a starring role in ``Mr. Shimkus Goes to Washington,'' as we were talking about U.S. military involvement in the Balkans. Morna Willens is from St. Charles, Illinois. She moved up to legislative director from her telecom legislative assistant position. With that move, she was enticed to work downtown, and is still a D.C. operative. Ray Fitzgerald moved to my office from the Science Committee. Ray was from Chicago and a rabid White Sox fan. Ray was with me for many years, which we both considered successful, but Ray got married and wanted to go back home.…”