[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18] [Senate] [Pages 23541-23542] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO ERIC UELAND Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I wish to pause for a moment to pay respect to one man, Eric Ueland, my chief of staff. Tucked away in a corner of Eric Ueland's office is a well-worn copy of the book ``Master of the Senate.'' This comes as no surprise to those of us who know him. In fact, my staff used to joke that he was reading his own biography. Eric is gifted with a passion for history, a thirst for knowledge, and a high reverence for the Senate. These talents have made him a uniquely capable adviser and leader in the majority leader's office. He contextualizes every Senate debate, recalls appropriate precedent, and draws parallels to moments in history. A nameplate is discretely displayed on his desk, and the name it bears: ``Information.'' As the press corps knows, information is his trade and the enigmatic quote his trademark. How do you pay tribute to a man who is the first to know of Britney Spear's pregnancy and Don Rumsfeld's resignation? Eric delights in a secret and encyclopedic knowledge of popular culture. Copies of People magazine and the entertainment gossip columns are strewn in the back seat of his classic car. And he knows everything about the media. Yet he doesn't have home Internet access or even cable TV. How does he do that? Eric finds unique and, some would say, unusual pleasure in memorizing the complex rules, the arcane precedents, and early history of the Senate. ``Chart 4--mere child's play.'' You would expect he would know that combining his customary bow ties and beards could be a violation of the Senate Code of Conduct. But his extraordinary talents are not what I have come to respect most about Eric Ueland. He is a man of deep humility, a man of quiet faith, a man of sterling character. He is a person true to his convictions, both political and personal. He has maintained his integrity in the rough and tumble of politics. His standards are high. I know of no staffer who has had a more profound regard for the institution, our institution, the institution of the Senate. And, in turn, Eric has earned the gratitude and respect of so many who have had the honor to serve here. Eric came to the Senate 17 years ago and worked for Senator Don Nickles at the Republican Policy Committee and then as his chief of staff in the assistant Republican leader's office. Senator Nickles writes: I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of individuals throughout my Senate career and Eric stands out in many ways. He is an exceptionally intelligent individual with unequaled knowledge of the Senate. His knowledge of Senate history, rules, process and customs, as well as the individuals who have served in the body for the last couple of decades, is remarkable. He has devoted much of his life to the Senate and helped make the Senate function much more effectively. He was a tremendous asset to me as well as a valued friend. Eric has a beautiful and patient wife Kathleen and three wonderful children--Stephen, 13; Brigid, 11; and Charlotte, 6. Eric, as we all know, puts in long hours in service to the Senate and it, again, as we all know, takes him away from his family. So I thank each of them for their service to his family, to their community and, thereby, to the country. But Eric is a devoted father and puts in many hours helping them with homework and could often be found keeping score at one of their basketball games. The children's manners, their politeness, their dress all reflect that Kathleen and Eric are great parents. Perhaps the highest tribute I can pay to Eric is simply to say his work has honored the institution of the U.S. Senate, which he himself so highly honors. And in honoring the Senate and the democratic ideals it represents, he has, indeed, honored his country. Well done, Eric, you have been a good and faithful servant of the Senate. You have been a good and faithful counselor and friend, and you have served this Nation with distinction. [[Page 23542]] I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Montana. Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I don't have prepared remarks, but I join the majority leader in praising Eric Ueland. He is a bright guy. Very intelligent, gracious, and straight, someone I trust. I got to know him with the leader over months, weeks, days, and hours. I thank him very much. ____________________