-9999

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. HUIZENGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to say thank you. Thank you to a chief of staff, a colleague, a confidante, and a special friend.

Jon DeWitte has been my chief of staff for 11\1/2\ years. In fact, when I was elected in 2010, Jon was the first call that I made. He was my first hire, and we have been on this journey together the entire time.

Now, Jon has had a great track record here in Washington, D.C., as well. He worked for the Education and Workforce Committee. He then went on to work with former Congressman Dave Camp. Then when I left the position of district director from my predecessor, Peter Hoekstra, Jon came and filled that role and filled that position for 8 years until I got elected, when I asked him to come back to Washington and act as my chief of staff.

Well, Jon--two redistrictings, majority, minority, government shutdown, impeachments, war, peace--we have seen just about all of it and have lived that textbook of political science. I couldn't have done it without him, and I know he could not have done this without his family.

I want to say a special thank you, as well, to Jodi, Nathan, Katie, and Josh for the sacrifices that they made--the sacrifices that they have made--for late nights and early mornings, for travel, for all the different things that go into being an excellent chief of staff. He has been one.

Now, I know that there are great paths ahead for Jon, and great paths ahead for all of you, but I do know that our friendship will not end. Team Huizenga is always Team Huizenga, and Jon is a vital part of that.

So once again, I thank Jon for his service, not only to me, but more importantly, to the constituents of the Second Congressional District back in Michigan and service to his country.

A job well done and I thank him.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source