Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-01-15

HONORING JENNIFER A. GOEDKE

Gun PolicyTaxesDefenseTrade

Context

On 2026-01-15, Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING JENNIFER A. GOEDKE" in the House. The speech addressed gun policy and also covered taxes, defense. It referenced legislation: HR8.

Full Text

HONORING JENNIFER A. GOEDKE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E46] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JENNIFER A. GOEDKE ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Thursday, January 15, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer A. Goedke, who is retiring from Congress after 25 years of public service. Jennifer comes from a hard-working family in Illinois, Her father, Richard A. Goedke, was a member of IBEW and PATCO, and she walked the picket line with him to fight for better labor conditions. Her mother, Dolores, was a working mom who successfully ran a medical practice while raising two children. Jennifer was the first in her family to earn a college diploma. It was there, at Monmouth College, where Professors Ira Smolensky and Stacy Cordery inspired her to spend a semester in Washington, D.C. as an intern for Congressman Lane Evans. After graduation, Jennifer's love of the institution led her back to Congress where she has spent 25 years working for distinguished Members, including Representatives Henry Waxman, Lane Evans, Marcy Kaptur, Lynn C. Woolsey, and myself. She capped her career as Chief of Staff for Congressmen Jared Huffman and George Whitesides. In her time on Capitol Hill, Jennifer has championed landmark gun safety legislation, including H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act. As my lead staffer on the Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce, she sat with countless families as they worked through their grief and fought for solutions to end gun violence. She also helped to negotiate the USMCA trade agreement, expanded FMLA for military families, and shepherded countless community district projects to improve education, transportation, and wetlands restoration. Public service is in Jennifer's DNA. She finds practical solutions to problems and works across the aisle without reservation. Though she never forgot her Midwestern roots, she dedicated most of her career to California. In that time, she changed the landscape of Northern California policy and redistricting. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing the noteworthy career of Jennifer A. Goedke, her 25 years in Congress, and her dedication to the institution. It is my pleasure and honor to congratulate her on her years of service. I wish her the best in her next adventures.

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HONORING JENNIFER A. GOEDKE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E46] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING JENNIFER A. GOEDKE ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Thursday, January 15, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer A. Goedke, who is retiring from Congress after 25 years of public service. Jennifer comes from a hard-working family in Illinois, Her father, Richard A. Goedke, was a member of IBEW and PATCO, and she walked the picket line with him to fight for better labor conditions. Her mother, Dolores, was a working mom who successfully ran a medical practice while raising two children. Jennifer was the first in her family to earn a college diploma. It was there, at Monmouth College, where Professors Ira Smolensky and Stacy Cordery inspired her to spend a semester in Washington, D.C. as an intern for Congressman Lane Evans. After graduation, Jennifer's love of the institution led her back to Congress where she has spent 25 years working for distinguished Members, including Representatives Henry Waxman, Lane Evans, Marcy Kaptur, Lynn C. Woolsey, and myself. She capped her career as Chief of Staff for Congressmen Jared Huffman and George Whitesides. In her time on Capitol Hill, Jennifer has championed landmark gun safety legislation, including H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act. As my lead staffer on the Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce, she sat with countless families as they worked through their grief and fought for solutions to end gun violence. She also helped to negotiate the USMCA trade agreement, expanded FMLA for military families, and shepherded countless community district projects to improve education, transportation, and wetlands restoration. Public service is in Jennifer's DNA. She finds practical solutions to problems and works across the aisle without reservation. Though she never forgot her Midwestern roots, she dedicated most of her career to California. In that time, she changed the landscape of Northern California policy and redistricting. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing the noteworthy career of Jennifer A. Goedke, her 25 years in Congress, and her dedication to the institution. It is my pleasure and honor to congratulate her on her years of service. I wish her the best in her next adventures.