[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 126 (Friday, September 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE FOR MS. LINDA COLEMAN

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I would like to recognize the 
exceptionally distinguished service of Ms. Linda Coleman, who is 
leaving Federal Service on September 30, 1999, after 30 years. She has 
been the mainstay within the Office of the Chief of Legislative 
Liaison, United States Army for the past 20 years. It is a privilege 
for me to recognize the many outstanding achievements she has provided 
the Congress, the United States Army and our great Nation.
  Linda Coleman has worked for every Member of the Congress as the 
Secretary of the Army's legislative liaison within the Army's House 
Liaison Division, Congressional Inquiry Division, and Programs 
Division. Initiative, caring service, and professionalism are the terms 
used to describe Linda Coleman. She has been instrumental in providing 
information and explaining the diverse programs within the United 
States Army. Ms. Coleman is an expert in coordinating the interface 
between the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army and Members of 
Congress. She is an expert at cutting through the red tape of the 
bureaucracy without losing sight of the fact that taking care of the 
soldier is the ultimate goal. I have never known of an instance in 
which Ms. Coleman would back away from doing the right thing for the 
Army, the soldier or family members, or the Congress she served.
  Ms. Coleman has earned a reputation on Capitol Hill as someone who 
could be relied upon to respond to inquires in a responsive, 
professional manner. She expanded the Army's understanding of Congress 
and the Army's role in the legislative process through continuous 
interaction with Members of Congress and the Army's leadership. Ms. 
Coleman established procedures to assist in informing and explaining 
the Army to Congress. Ms. Coleman prepared the Army's senior leaders 
for all of their meetings with Members of Congress. For each meeting, 
she prepared the Army senior leader with detailed information on the 
issues and the interests of the Members of Congress involved in the 
meetings. Ms. Coleman has been the ``go to'' person in Army Legislative 
Liaison. When Members of Congress had a really complex issue, the 
legislative action officers and assistants would go to her for advice.
  Ms. Coleman is able to communicate effectively with both military 
officials and Congressional staff members and has developed superb 
working relationships. Her professional abilities have earned her the 
respect and trust which served her, the Army, and Congress so well.
  Mr. President, Linda Coleman is a great credit to the Army and this 
great Nation. As she now departs after 30 years of Federal Service, I 
call upon my colleagues to recognize her great contribution to the 
Nation, and in particular, the Congress. I wish her well in her future 
endeavors.

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