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Floor Speech

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to express my gratitude and good wishes to Tracie Pough for her years of service to this body, to the Congresswoman, to the State of Florida.

I also share that on behalf of the two chiefs of staff that I have had during my terms here, Clay Phillips and Lara Hopkins, they always consulted Tracie. They sought her counsel on how to run a congressional office, and how to do it in a proactive and positive way.

There are often twists and turns here on Capitol Hill, especially here in the people's House. Tracie has always had that steady hand. She has an open door. She is a good listener. She is the chief of staff to chiefs of staff. She is known as the consummate professional. She doesn't lose her temper. To the contrary, she is even-keeled and thoughtful in everything she does.

Let me say that sometimes that is not easy when you work for a Member of Congress who is a go-getter and is trying to accomplish a hundred things at a hundred miles per hour every single day.

I think it is that yin and the yang where Tracie has been able to provide that steady hand and leadership to Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz that has really demonstrated her unbelievable capacity for being able to get things accomplished.

The record out of her office is incredible. It is not just because of Debbie's senior seat on the Appropriations Committee. It is because of her knowledge of our beautiful State of Florida. I don't think we would have such massive investment in saving the Florida Everglades without Tracie standing firm and getting to know the Army Corps of Engineers probably on a first-name basis.

I think some of her expertise comes from her service back in the Florida Legislature. We will claim you from the Tampa Bay area, a little Tampa credit, because she reminded me that she worked for Jim Hargrett who is a statehouse member from Tampa, who went on to be a State Senator; the great Jim Davis who was my predecessor here in Congress but also served in the statehouse; and also Arthenia Joyner.

On behalf my neighbors across the Tampa Bay area, I want the world to know that Tracie Pough has made an incredible difference. She has made the lives of the people of the State of Florida and the United States better. It takes a lot to serve a Member over the course of 21 years in the United States House of Representatives.

Every day there is a new challenge, and Tracie has handled these challenges with intelligence. Because of her even-keeled nature, her sense of fairness, her love for this country and the State of Florida, her love for the Congresswoman and all of the interns and staffers that came through her office over the years, Tracie Pough will leave an incredible legacy of service. For that, I am extremely grateful.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank you so much, Congresswoman Castor. That was a very special and important tribute. I appreciate it so much.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the Congresswoman from the great State of Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel).

Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I met Tracie almost 27 years ago. I am looking at her and thinking it was when I was a Member of the Florida Legislature. She was a very young, clear-eyed, energetic person with the belief that she could make a difference in the lives of people.

Mr. Speaker, do you know what? It is the same thing today. She is smart. She is energetic. I am even going to call her young at heart but still with that belief, and she has made that difference. She has had an extraordinary career in public service.

I feel so blessed that our lives have become interwoven, going back to the Florida Legislature and then again now as a Member of Congress, with her work for the Democratic Party and for the DNC. We know she worked for an extraordinarily talented Member, but not to be trite, there is something about the wind beneath the wings. That is Tracie.

Tracie still has that great smile.

I will thank her, as Representative Castor did, for her work with our staff and all the work she has done for our State, especially for the children and families of America.

I am going to say thank you to Tracie. Her work has inspired us. She leaves a really great legacy.

Mr. Speaker, for anyone who is listening to this, what they need to know is that they don't have to run for political office to really make a difference in the lives of people. Tracie has proven it.

I am going to read the words of a poet that I think describes Tracie.

Ever heard of Maya Angelou? I will just read a passage.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

The palm of my hand,

The need of my care.

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman.

That is you. That is you. I am wishing you the best in your next chapter. I hope it is exciting and fulfilling. Come back anytime to see us. Love you.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Frankel, my friend, for her remarks.

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