Bonnie Watson Coleman: “Ask any Member of Congress and they will tell you, none of us could adequately serve our constituents without staffers.…”

“Ask any Member of Congress and they will tell you, none of us could adequately serve our constituents without staffers. They are a necessary component of our office. Today, I will take a moment to thank my chief of staff, Kari Osmond, who will be leaving our office at the conclusion of today's work. Kari has been working with me since I was first elected to represent the 12th Congressional District a decade ago, but I have known her since my time in the State assembly. In fact, we spent so much time together during my first campaign, driving around the 12th Congressional District listening to gospel music, I nearly turned her into a Black Baptist. We preferred Hezekiah Walker's ``Every Praise.'' Her dedication and her commitment to the people in the four counties that I represent has never wavered in all of the time that I have known her. Kari is not just a friend. Bill, my husband, and I consider her family. She has been a tremendous professional, a committed organizer, and a courageous leader who has always run toward the fight. In her time as chief of staff, she also helped me to assemble a talented team committed to representing the values of the 12th Congressional District and fighting for everyday New Jerseyans. A Congress Member is only as good as their staff, and she has led one of the best on the Hill for the last 4 years and the best in our district office in New Jersey. I will miss her greatly. I will miss her dearly.…”