[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 166 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S10300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MELISSA SHUTE

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to bid farewell to a 
trusted member of my staff who will be departing the Senate. Melissa 
Shute has served as my legislative counsel, handling issues involving 
energy, natural resources, and public lands. I have been fortunate to 
have a wonderful tradition of outstanding staffers to handle my energy 
and environmental issues; however, the problem with good staff is that 
they often get pulled away.
  Melissa is no exception. She came to me in 2008 after serving as lead 
counsel to one of our former Members whom I highly regard, Senator Pete 
Dominici, on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. 
While on the committee, Melissa was a key player on legislation to 
increase domestic energy production in the United States. Melissa has 
developed an expertise in energy and environmental issues and the 
importance they play in our economy. She is an enthusiastic warrior for 
the principles we share.
  Melissa has provided critical counsel to me regarding major issues in 
nuclear, coal, and renewable fuel research and development. She also 
took a leading role in helping Alabamians living on the gulf coast 
during the tragic oil spill. Melissa and my energy team went above and 
beyond to take the steps necessary to help those impacted by the 
environmental disaster receive the support and information they need to 
begin the road of clean-up and recovery.
  A graduate of the University of Tulsa's College of Law, Melissa has 
demonstrated a sound legal mind in analyzing legislative proposals that 
would impact current moratoria on off-shore drilling. She understands 
that we need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil and find new 
ways to tap the rich energy supplies our country has to offer.
  She has been a great partner as we have worked to reduce the huge 
wealth transfer from the United States to purchase foreign oil, to 
reduce pollution, to produce energy at the lowest possible prices, such 
as nuclear power, and to create jobs in America. It has been a good 
run.
  Mr. President, I express my deepest gratitude to Melissa for all of 
her efforts and leadership, and I wish her well as she moves on to a 
new chapter in her life.

                          ____________________