As I sit in the room where we met for my interview – just off the House floor- I feel just as anxious as I did that day. It is time for me to say goodbye to you and I struggle to embody the emotions I feel into words that will properly express how deeply you have affected my life. I hope I can find them.
I came to this room for inspiration, for focus, and maybe even for closure on an adventure I always dreamt of and an adventure you allowed me to live. As the adventure comes to an end, I reflect on those things that constantly amazed me about you: your memory of things about me and other staff; the patience you displayed for my continued nervousness and idiotic mistakes I made as a legislative assistant; the chance you took on hiring and uneducated, inexperienced young man; the encouragement you gave me to return to school; the accommodation of my school schedule. Steve, you never overstepped your bounds and I took all your advice to heart.
It is all the things that you never said, but did, that will live the longest within me. Your integrity is unmatched and honorable. Your unflinching fairness and allegiance to objectivity always gave you a clear and unique view of a situation. Your impeccable intellect and intelligence caused me great trepidation, although unfounded through your patience and ease of manner. I see Congress – and life – through the unique perspective provided by a man unaffected by his power, yet whose power affected so many.
Thank you Steve. Thank you for giving me my adventure. Thank you for taking me on the tough roads of integrity and objectivity along the way. And most importantly, thank you for the chance.