The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Tribute to Eric Feldman (Executive Session)” mentioning Gary C. Peters was published in the Senate section on pages S1580-S1581 on March 17.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Tribute to Eric Feldman
Mr. PETERS. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary public servant and Michigander, Eric Feldman.
Since my first days serving in the U.S. House of Representatives more than 12 years ago, Eric has served as my chief of staff. I still vividly remember him coming to my home just a couple of weeks after my election to interview for the chief of staff position.
I was immediately impressed by his extensive knowledge of American politics and his passion to serve the people of the State of Michigan.
But to fully know Eric is to know his family's story and how it shaped the man he is. All four of his grandparents survived the Holocaust. His maternal grandmother was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, among others. His maternal grandfather was in a forced labor camp in Plaszow. His grandparents met and married in the Bergen-
Belsen concentration camp. They were liberated from there and remained after it was converted to a displaced persons camp following World War II. That camp is where Eric's mother was born.
His grandparents and mother immigrated in 1949 to Detroit, where his grandfather worked as a janitor at Ford Motor Company during the day and worked as a tailor at night. His mother won a full scholarship to the University of Michigan from Ford Motor Company as part of a program for employees.
Eric's paternal grandparents fled Poland on the eve of the Nazi German invasion. They survived the war as slave laborers in Siberia, where Eric's father was born. Following the war, they immigrated to Israel before settling in Detroit. Eric's father went to Wayne State University, thanks to the GI bill, after serving honorably in the U.S. Air Force.
After immigrating to Detroit, Eric's family worked hard, and they were able to achieve the American dream. There is no question that their life experience and their journey instilled in Eric a sense of service and devotion to country.
As a freshman Member of Congress, I was fortunate to have Eric on my team. He brought with him extensive political and policy experience, having worked for Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Rahm Emanuel. He built on that experience, leading our office with steady, unwavering leadership, brilliant vision, and wise counsel.
Through four reelections--including my election to the Senate and reelection last year--and many crises impacting Michigan and our country, I entrusted Eric to help ensure that we were able to come together, solve tough problems, and ultimately deliver results. He never flinched. I could always count on Eric to work with our team to develop creative ideas to tackle challenges or empower staff to make sure that we were on the leading edge of issues critical to Michigan.
He has guided my office through countless high-profile events and crises: the great recession and auto crisis, the Flint water crisis, several government shutdowns, the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and two impeachment trials. Through it all, Eric has provided stability and focus--a focus on working in a bipartisan manner to pass important legislation and to make progress for Michigan and for our entire country.
Last week, I was humbled to be recognized by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as the most effective Senator in the 116th Congress. Recognition of this sort does not happen without having an incredible team. Eric played a critical role in helping me enact 10 bills into law--the most of any Senator from either party over the last 2 years.
And I know that Eric will tell you, without a doubt, that there is no
``I'' in team. As a leader, Eric has focused on hiring talented staff, both in DC and across Michigan, staff that humbly, selflessly, and effectively serve the people of Michigan each and every day. With Eric's laser focus on what is best for Michigan, together with our team, we have secured record funding to protect the Great Lakes, worked to increase security at our Nation's borders, expanded apprenticeships and skills training, saved taxpayer dollars, and made the Federal Government more efficient, all the while standing up for Michigan workers, including those working in our auto industry.
Eric is always on the leading edge, and he has distinguished himself through his work with Michigan's auto manufacturers and automotive stakeholders. In particular, Eric has helped drive policy efforts focused on innovation and emerging technologies so that in the near future, self-driving vehicles will not only be safely deployed and save thousands of lives on our highways but also be developed and built in Michigan and in the United States, creating good-paying jobs for the next generation of workers.
At every step of the way, through all of his hard work, Eric has carried himself with his characteristic enthusiasm and passion. It is only fitting, as an alum of the University of Michigan and a fervent--
very fervent--Wolverine fan, he has, and I quote, an ``enthusiasm unknown to mankind.'' Whether it is policy, politics, casework, or an issue important to constituents, there is no doubt that Eric approaches it with keen interest and with high energy and that he will think through every single possible angle.
But Eric has been much more than just a chief aide. Colleen and I feel incredibly fortunate not only for all that Eric has done to lead my office and deliver for the people of Michigan; we count on him as a confidant and a dear friend.
Eric, you will be missed dearly as you depart for your next endeavor in the private sector. But I am grateful for what you have built, and I know that it will endure--a culture of teamwork, hard work, productivity, and a commitment to what is best for Michiganders
Eric, Colleen and I know that you have devoted countless hours to a job that you love while balancing the two most important roles in your life: being a loving husband and a father. I have been proud to watch you celebrate many of life's milestones over the years, including the birth of your two beloved sons, and I will certainly never forget your eldest son Avi's birthday on November 4, 2014, the day Michiganders elected me to the U.S. Senate.
Eric, Colleen and I wish you much success, and we hope you enjoy this next chapter with Dena, Avi, and Ethan. Know that Colleen and I will always be thankful beyond measure for your service and for your leadership and that you will forever be part of Team Peters.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Dakota.
Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able to complete my remarks before the vote.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(The remarks of Mr. Thune pertaining to the introduction of S. 797 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. THUNE. I yield the floor
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.
Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks before the vote is called.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. MURRAY. And for the information of the Senators, I will speak for about 7 minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you.
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