Announcements October 28, 2009

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) announced three new staff members in his D.C. office. All three graduated in 2009.

Kramer Schmidt:  Schmidt was recently hired as a legislative correspondent. He is a Covington, La., native and graduated from Tulane University, where he majored in political science. He previously interned for then-Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-La.).

{mosads}Stephen Bell:  Bell, also a Louisiana native, is the new press assistant. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a journalism degree. Bell previously interned for Rep. Charles Boustany Jr. (R-La.).

Emily Wauford: Wauford has been hired as a staff assistant. She graduated from Notre Dame and majored in political science and romance languages. She previously interned for Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.).

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee welcomes new senior professional staff member:

Michael Rodriguez joined the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee as part of its senior professional staff, focusing on marine safety and also assisting with developing policy for the maritime industry.

Rodriguez comes to the subcommittee from the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, where he was executive assistant to the international president since 2001. Rodriguez also supervised training of midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and taught classes to military personnel and industry professionals for several years. He is currently a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, earning the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Ribbon while on active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006.

BIRTHS

House aviation subcommittee staff director welcomes new daughter Kate

Giles Giovinazzi, staff director of the House Aviation subcommittee, and wife Jolynn Shoemaker welcomed new daughter Kathryn (Kate) Maribel Giovinazzi on Oct. 5. Kate was born at Inova Hospital in Alexandria.

Giovinazzi returned to Capitol Hill in January after a year of active duty in the Navy Reserve. Giovinazzi served nine months of that duty as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan.

Giovinazzi and family live in Fairfax.

BIRTHDAYS

Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) — Oct. 28, 1957 — age 52

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) — Oct. 29, 1952 — age 57

Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) — Oct. 30, 1957 — age 52

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.) — Oct. 30, 1953 — age 56

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) — Oct. 30, 1951 — age 58

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) — Nov. 1, 1953 — age 56

Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.) — Nov. 1, 1942 — age 67

Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) — Nov. 3, 1947 — age 62