Mourning the Loss of Michael S. Berman

Floor Speech

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Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, we lost a great Minnesotan and great American: Michael S. Berman. He passed away on January 12 at age 84. A skilled lawyer, shrewd political advisor, and principled public servant, Mike made indelible contributions to our nation.

Mike's penchant for politics was evident when he was a young man. Shortly after graduating the University of Minnesota Law School in 1964, he volunteered on President Lyndon B. Johnson's reelection campaign and organized a successful voter registration drive in his community. Impressed with Mike's work, Walter Mondale--then Attorney General of Minnesota--hired Mike to serve as his special assistant. Mike later moved here to Washington, D.C. in 1966 to serve on Mondale's Senate staff as Counsel. He quickjy became one of Mondale's most trusted advisors.

Mike's close professional and personal relationship with Mondale continued after Jimmy Carter made the Senator his running-mate. Mike led Mondale's transition team following the 1976 presidential election and went on to serve as the Vice President's Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff.

After leaving the White House, Mike continued to advise numerous political leaders and mentor up-and-coming political operatives from across the country--and across the generations. They trusted his judgment, enjoyed his humor, and appreciated his honesty. Between 1968 and 2004, Mike also scheduled every Democratic National Convention. Indeed, few people could match Mike's understanding of the innerworkings of the Democratic Party. He was a fixture of the Washington political landscape for decades. Mike also remained a prominent voice on some of the most pressing issues facing our nation and world--from promoting gun safety to advocating for civil and human rights.

Crucially, Mr. Speaker, Mike was a man of character and kindness. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 42 years, Carol--especially in the final months before she tragically passed away of lung cancer in 2007. He showed the same devotion to his second wife, Debbie, whom he married in 2012. My wife Elaine and I are praying for her and their three children and their spouses: Rachel and Dr. Steven Feinleib, Ben and Jen Cowan, and William Cowan. My thoughts are also with their four grandchildren and with Mike's two sisters, Sheila Teitelbaun and Nance Alexander. They ought to take comfort in knowing that we grieve with them. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Mike Berman and praying for his many friends and family.

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