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“REMEMBERING ELLEN M. BLOOM” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S6503 on Oct. 25, 2020.
The Department includes the Census Bureau, which is used to determine many factors about American life. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department is involved in misguided foreign trade policies and is home to many unneeded programs.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
REMEMBERING ELLEN M. BLOOM
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, earlier this year we lost one of our Senate alumnae--a constituent and a personal friend--Ellen Michelle Bloom. She was a devoted mother and wife, who dedicated her career to public service and advocating for consumers. While she was not a household name, her 40-year career has benefited the lives of millions of Americans.
Ellen began her extraordinary career while a student at the University of Maryland, interning for Senator John Tunney before joining the staff of a newly elected Senator, Howard Metzenbaum. Her first job was in the mailroom, answering constituent mail, learning about the concerns of Ohioans and figuring out how to navigate the bureaucracy.
Over the ensuing 18 years on Senator Metzenbaum's staff, Ellen rose through the ranks, at a time when female aides were a distinct minority, to become his legislative director and an expert in consumer protection. As her many friends and colleagues have written in the months since her passing at age 65, Ellen was not interested in attention; she was only interested in results. A long-time friend and colleague wrote of Ellen, ``It's amazing how much you can get done when you don't care who gets the credit.'' That was Ellen.
From provisions in the 1984 Cable Act mandating Equal Employment Opportunity standards, to promoting children's television legislation, to regulations requiring lavatories on commuter airplanes, to warning labels on large buckets designed to protect small children from drowning, Ellen's work was far-reaching. She advocated for the use of car seats and bicycle helmets and was among a small group who sought to bridge the ``digital divide'' long before it became a popular phrase. She believed in equality and fairness and sought ways to incorporate these principles into public policy.
When Senator Metzenbaum retired, Ellen was recruited to join the Clinton administration, first at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, then as the Commerce Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, and lastly as Deputy Chief of Staff for Commerce Secretary William Daley, where her responsibilities included the 2000 Census.
Following her public service career, Ellen joined the Washington staff of Consumer Reports. As Director of Federal Policy and head of the D.C. office, she led the organization's advocacy in support of the Affordable Care Act, fought for stricter vehicle emission standards, promoted expanded consumer product labeling, and worked on many other issues that protected the safety and health of American consumers.
At a time when so many question the ability of the government and public advocacy to improve the quality of life for our citizens, Ellen's work stands as an antidote to cynicism. She recognized that the work of democracy is hard but always had faith that we could make progress.
Her legacy of good works is a testament to that conviction and an inspiration for all. She was also an example of how to face adversity with courage and fortitude.
While her professional accomplishments were many, her greatest pride was her family: her husband David Bushnell and their children Michael and Jenna Bushnell, her many nieces and nephews, her brother and sister-in-law, her cousins spread across the country. Her life was too short--way too--short; but it was full of love and rich in the ways that gave it depth, joy, and consequence.
We were lucky to have such a dedicated and passionate public servant. I was fortunate to count Ellen as a dear friend. She made our country a better, safer place. She may be gone, but her many accomplishments live on and will continue to protect and benefit Americans for generations to come. We need many more Ellen Blooms, but she was one of a kind.
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