Very very sad news today from John Boehner’s office that his longtime aide Paula Nowakowsi died last night of an apparent heart attack. Paula was only 46. I hadn’t seen Paula in years, but I always was tremendously impressed with her, and I liked her a great deal. In “leadership press” meetings during the heady first two years of the Gingrich speakership, she was always both a pro’s pro and a delight to be around. I just cannot imagine that she is gone at such a young age.

Top staffers on Capitol Hill all too often get far too little credit, or thanks, for the work they do. Paula was one of the best for a solid 15 years. And she was just a good person, too. May her family be in our prayers and may she know the joy of God’s eternal love.