[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 9 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. STEVE TINDELL

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, I speak today in honor 
of Mr. Steven L. Tindell, who retired on January 11, 2013, at Peterson 
Air Force Base, CO. Mr. Tindell served 30 years in uniform and for over 
10 years in Federal civil service as the director of the Commander's 
Action Group and the Chief of Legislative Affairs for Air Force Space 
Command. He has been an enduring presence and a subject-matter expert 
for all congressional matters related to Air Force space and cyberspace 
issues and has facilitated countless congressional interactions with 
Headquarters Air Force Space Command and its numerous subordinate 
centers, wings and units.
  Air Force Major Command Legislative Liaisons facilitate communication 
between their commands and Congress, effectively bridging our 
organizational cultures and promoting clear and open communication. 
These professionals require in depth knowledge of congressional 
procedures, committee structures and the legislative process. They also 
must have detailed understanding of the missions, challenges and 
organizational structures of the commands they represent. My office 
depends heavily on the rapport we have with our military liaisons for 
timely information and candid dialogue.
  During his tenure as a legislative liaison, Mr. Tindell enhanced the 
Air Force Space Command mission by delivering space, missile and 
cyberspace capabilities to the U.S. armed forces and its warfighting 
commands. He was the architect of Space Command's legislative game 
plan, which coordinated vital communications concerning the command's 
space and cyberspace programs. He prepared countless pages of testimony 
and orchestrated hundreds of congressional notifications and visits, 
including many for me and my staff to our bases throughout the Colorado 
Front Range.
  Mr. Tindell leaves an indelible mark on Air Force Space Command. His 
institutional knowledge and savvy analysis of legislative activity will 
be difficult to replace; however, he can take great pride, satisfaction 
and confidence in knowing that his legacy will endure through those he 
has mentored over the years. Mr. Tindell has exemplified the best of 
the U.S. Air Force.
  On behalf of all Coloradans, I thank Mr. Steven Tindell for his many 
years of faithful, selfless service, and I offer warm congratulations 
on the occasion of his retirement. May he and his wife, Nancy, enjoy a 
very bright future as they begin this new chapter in their 
lives.

                          ____________________