[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5493-S5494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF HEIDEH SHAHMORADI

  Mr. BOND. Madam President, today I rise to acknowledge the very 
special and meaningful contributions of Ms. Heideh Shahmoradi, who is 
departing the U.S. Senate after serving as detailee for some 4 years 
from the Department of Transportation. I come to the floor today to 
thank personally Heideh for her assistance and professionalism as a 
detailee to me on both the Environment and Public Works, EPW, Committee 
and the Appropriations Committee.
  In my former position as chair of the EPW's Subcommittee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, Heideh provided me with invaluable 
advice and help in the development and passage of the highway 
reauthorization legislation, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users: or SAFETEA. Heideh 
played a key role in helping the committee understand the complexities 
and implications of SAFETEA which helped to ensure that the final 
legislation properly balanced these very complex policy and funding 
issues. And as a program expert from the Department, Heideh was able to 
provide valuable insights on the potential impact of the legislation on 
highway transportation activities. Heideh not only contributed 
significantly in analyzing the legislation but she also performed 
important duties, such as research, fact-checking, editing, and 
drafting report language and legislation. Heideh did it all with 
distinction and unflappable good humor.
  Her skills and performance on working on the EPW Committee made it an 
easy decision to bring her back from the Department to help me on the 
Appropriations Committee. Heideh not only continued to assist me on the 
Federal-aid highway programs on the Senate Transportation, HUD, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, but she also quickly 
became a resource and expert on all of the other modes under the 
Department of Transportation.
  Throughout her tenure on Capitol Hill, Heideh provided technical 
expertise and programmatic knowledge that was critical in policymaking 
decisions on both the authorizing and appropriations committees. Her 
ability to provide a reality check on legislation helped tremendously 
in protecting the best interests of our communities and

[[Page S5494]]

taxpayers. She is simply a true professional civil servant that we are 
fortunate to have in government.
  Finally, Heideh is a quick study, adaptable, very good at working 
with others, and cool under pressure. She also is a person of absolute 
integrity, honor, and loyalty. To their credit, the leadership at the 
Department of Transportation has recognized her accomplishments and 
skills and will be giving her new challenges and opportunities. Her 
departure is a great loss to the Appropriations Committee and to my 
office in particular. She will be missed. I strongly commend Heideh for 
her service to me and the U.S. Senate and, while she is leaving us, she 
will always be part of the Bond office team. I personally wish Heideh, 
her husband Torrance, and her son Corey all the best.

                          ____________________