On the recordJuly 17, 2013
today I wish to pay tribute to a very special person who has served the people of Montana for 37 years: Elizabeth Ching. Our Liz retired from the U.S. Senate on June 30, 2013. Of course, she started her new job the very next day, on July 1. Her so-called retirement lasted less than 24-hours. That is the kind of work ethic that has made Liz famous. When she has a task to accomplish, she simply doesn't rest until it is done. She is a workhorse and one of the kindest, most dedicated people I know. Liz was a staff assistant on the Select Committee for Presidential Campaigns and the Budget Committee before joining my team in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1975. Liz continued her career in the U.S. Senate. As one of the first members of my team, Liz has literally helped thousands of Montanans over the years. She has also worn many hats over the last thirty-seven years proving that no job is too small or too large for her to tackle with heart and soul. In many ways, Liz and I grew up together learning the ropes of Congress. Little did we know back in 1975 when I first hired her how much we would be able to accomplish for Montanans. She has helped support Montana outreach efforts on three farm bills, four highway bills, four major rural water project bills, and the Affordable Care Act. In her early years in my Washington, DC office, she was my office manager. In 1995, she moved to Montana to be assistant to the state director.…
