Patrick Leahy: “all of us have been sent here by the people of our States to represent them. I have always felt a true measure of the…”

“all of us have been sent here by the people of our States to represent them. I have always felt a true measure of the quality of our service is reflected in the kind of people we hire to help us do these awesome jobs. The people in our State offices, on our frontlines, are critical in this effort. John Goodrow is one such public servant. I hired him in 1987 from his job at a local radio station. John brought his radio voice and Vermont sensibility. He has a great sense of humor and could see the challenges, frustrations, and occasional absurdities of everyday life in a Senate office. This was coupled with a determination to serve all Vermonters. On March 4 of this year, John Goodrow marked 34 years as a loyal and dedicated service. With deep appreciation and respect and more than a little bit of sadness, I recently informed my staff that John has decided to retire on March 31. At the age of 25, John came to my office scheduling appointments and events, and serving as my on-the-ground Vermont press secretary. He clipped news items in a time when they were actually cut and copied from newspapers, and John loved his typewriter. It was just a few years ago that he reluctantly let go of the typewriter in his office. Staff may have even spirited it away when he wasn't there.…”