Rep. Rivera's chief of staff Stephen Vermillion dies at 52

Stephen Vermillion, chief of staff to Rep. David Rivera (R-Fla.), died Friday morning at the age of 52. Vermillion had been fighting leukemia since being diagnosed in November 2008.

Vermillion spent 17 years as a staffer for several members of Congress. Prior to joining Rivera, he was chief of staff to former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and also worked for Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.).

"It is with great sadness that I received the news today of the passing of my friend and Chief of Staff Steve Vermillion," Rivera said on the House floor Friday. "For nearly 25 years, I have known Steve as a friend, family man and committed public servant.

"My service in Congress has been greatly enhanced by Steve's invaluable advice and knowledge regarding all aspects of the legislative process."

Sensenbrenner also spoke, and said that Vermillion made a "great contribution" to the country through his service.

"He was a man of unquestioned ability, a man of deep integrity, and a man of great commitment to his principles and love of this country and the democracy that we have built and nurtured over the last 230-plus years," he said.

Vermillion is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and two children.

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