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 SCOTT MAGUIRE” mentioning Jeff Merkley was published in the Senate section on pages S169-S170 on Jan. 27.
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 SCOTT MAGUIRE
Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, when we have a new administration, lots of changes take place--changes in offices, changes in committee assignments--but for all of us here in the Senate, perhaps the most challenging change is when members of our team decide to open new chapters in their lives. We celebrate those new chapters and wish them well, but we will also miss them greatly.
I come to the floor to talk about three of my team members who are headed to a new chapter in each of their lives.
Scott Maguire has been a central part of our team since day one. He is my good friend, a valued team member who is preparing a new chapter in his life in the form of a well-deserved retirement.
As of yesterday, January 26, he completed 12 years on our U.S. Senate team as our State operations director. The Boy Scouts of America that have a motto: ``Be prepared.'' They also have a slogan: ``Do a good turn daily.'' These are attributes that I always have held dear, and they are qualities I looked for when setting out to build a team to serve the people of Oregon when I was elected to the Senate in 2008.
Scott was at the top of my list because I knew that these were qualities that define who he is. I knew this because I have known Scott for a very long time. We met through Boy Scout Troop 634 back when we were 11 or 12 years old. We recognized and respected each other's leadership skills, and I admired Scott's growth in character and capabilities as he advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout.
When we were 15, Scott and I were dissatisfied with how the district council was running their annual First Aid Meets, so we proposed to the council executive that we take over and run the weekend event. To our surprise, the staff of the council agreed.
I think the resulting weekend event, which included dozens of troops, hundreds of Scouts, was a tremendous success. It was the type of mutual project that has bonded us over our lifetimes.
Scott did many things in his career before joining my team. He served as operations director of the Northwest Christian Evangelistic Association; as executive director of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation; as a reporter and editor of the Gresham Outlook.
He got involved in many volunteer roles, including with the Gresham Breakfast Lions Club, the Gresham Early Risers Kiwanis Club, and he has volunteered millions of hours just so much to serve the Civil Air Patrol and is now a lieutenant colonel in the Civil Air Patrol.
Looking back to 2009, I can't imagine how we would have gotten our Oregon team off the ground or built the operation we have today without Scott Maguire.
Over the years, he has kept the computers computing and the supplies supplied, but he has done so much more. He pioneered and built our Oregon internship program, which has been a pipeline for hundreds of Oregonians who have been going on to do great things serving in State and national government, in community organizations, and in business to make that intern program the best possible.
Scott cultivated strong relationships with Oregon's colleges, and he could work with them. He was always on the search to give young Oregonians with a passion for public service the opportunity for public service. He cared deeply about their experience and success throughout their time in our office but in the time beyond as well.
Scott stepped in to serve as my field representative for a number of Oregon counties, organizing the townhalls they hold in those counties every year to hear from our constituents. He has not only helped to plan in organizing these events but saved them from going off the rails as unexpected challenges arose.
Back in 2017, when we were debating the future of the Affordable Care Act, we knew that citizens were passionate and angry, so we anticipated a large turnout, planning for 1,000 attendees--twice what was ever seen before. And imagine our shock when 4,000 Oregonians showed up. Constituents were packed in like sardines. Hundreds crowded into a courtyard outside watching through the windows, but there was Scott swooping in to save the day.
He reworked the sound system. He opened the windows. He figured out how to put speakers outside the windows so everyone could hear and participate. Crisis averted. That was just another day for Scott, working behind the scenes and taking care of things that most people don't even know were going wrong to ensure things were running smoothly.
Last year, before the pandemic shut down so much of our lives and our offices went remote, we saw massive shortages on essentials like hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and tissues. But Scott, seeing the crisis developing, raced around the metro area to gather supplies to keep the members of our team healthy and safe. That is who Scott Maguire is: the kind of person who goes above and beyond for everyone in every situation; the kind of person who is prepared and always goes out of his way to do a good turn daily for others; the kind of person who, regardless of who you are, treats you like a VIP.
I speak for all members of Team Merkley, for all the interns who have come through our office, for all the folks Scott has worked with over the years, when I say that he will be deeply missed, and it will not be the same without him.
We wish our dear friend Scott Maguire and his wonderful wife Beth all the best as they begin a new chapter of their lives together.
I picture Scott, who has had a business, Shorty's BBQ, catering barbecue, Texas style, during his years in Oregon--you will probably see him firing that grill up a lot more often in the years ahead. It will be a chapter undoubtedly filled with loving friends, family, great traveling adventures, and, of course, as much barbecue as they can possibly handle.
We will miss you, Scott Maguire.
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