[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 162 (Thursday, December 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO KATHLEEN ATTERHOLT ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

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                            HON. MIKE PENCE

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 9, 2010

  Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a friend and 
community advocate. After 16 years of faithful service, Kathleen 
Atterholt of my staff in Anderson, Indiana, will be retiring from 
public service at the end of 2010.
  Kathleen was born to James and Margaret Steele on September 23, 1935, 
in Anderson, Indiana. She went on to graduate from Anderson High School 
in 1953, and she later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue 
University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Viterbo College. While 
at Purdue, Kathleen was also an active member of Alpha Chi Omega 
Sorority.
  Given her family's history of public service, it is no surprise that 
Kathleen has also dedicated her life to helping those in her community. 
Her late father, James Steele, served on the Anderson Board of Public 
Safety and the Board of Public Works. Her brother, Jim Steele, served 
as Controller for the City of Anderson and later for the City of 
Indianapolis. Lastly, her son, Jim Atterholt, served two terms in the 
Indiana General Assembly and is currently the chairman of the Indiana 
Utility Regulatory Commission.
  After staying home to raise her two sons, Kathleen began her career 
in public service working as a Constituent Services Representative for 
Congressman David McIntosh in 1994. During those years, she also worked 
occasionally for the Madison County, Indiana Election Board. When I 
took office in 2001, Kathleen stayed on with my staff and continued to 
lend her expertise to the constituents in my district. For more than a 
decade, she has helped people navigate their way through the Federal 
Government and receive assistance from Federal agencies. Her kindness 
and compassion have undoubtedly helped to renew the people's trust in 
their government.
  Over the years her particular areas of expertise have been advocating 
on behalf of constituents with the United States Citizenship and 
Immigration Service, United States Embassies and Consulates, the United 
States Passport Agency, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Centers 
for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Kathleen has said that some of her 
fondest memories have been when parents have brought their 
internationally adopted children by the office simply to thank Kathleen 
for her advocacy on their behalf. She has also been able to meet 
married couples, friends, and relatives whom she helped obtain proper 
immigration documentation in order to be reunited with their loved 
ones. Her kind heart has made Kathleen an invaluable liaison to my 
constituency, and she has shown an ability to relate to others with the 
compassion and empathy required of public service.
  I offer my deepest gratitude to Kathleen for her years of tireless 
devotion and service not only as a member of my staff, but as a servant 
leader to constituents in my district. She has embodied the commandment 
found in the Good Book to ``Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain 
conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking 
to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.'' 
Though she will be sorely missed by myself, my family, and the rest of 
my staff, I wish Kathleen blessings and joy in the years ahead as she 
begins her retirement.

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