[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 15 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LINDA GIBBONS

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I am grateful for the opportunity to pay 
tribute to a wonderful staff member and dedicated public servant, Linda 
Gibbons. Linda will be retiring this week after 22 years of devoted 
service. I know I speak for everyone on my staff when I say she will be 
deeply missed.
  As a member of my constituent services team, Linda helped thousands 
of Utahns who contacted my office seeking assistance. In serving 
constituents, she was always sympathetic to their needs and worked 
tirelessly to resolve their problems. Constituent casework is 
difficult, often requiring hours of tedious research and coordination 
with Federal and State agencies. But Linda was always equal to the 
task, and I can say without reservation that she was among the best 
caseworkers I have ever had.
  Linda was passionate about public service. Her work ethic always 
impressed me, and I was grateful for her willingness to assume new 
responsibilities. She is tenacious, honest, and always believes in 
doing the right thing.
  Most importantly, Linda has a deep capacity to care for and love 
others. Both constituents and staff know this well. She has always gone 
out of her way to listen to and help anyone in need.
  I will always be grateful for Linda's work in helping me nominate 
Utah's most talented young students to military academies. Military 
academy nominations can be laborious and cumbersome, but Linda always 
saw candidates through the process with a remarkable degree of 
efficiency and professionalism. In doing so, she mentored some of 
Utah's best and brightest. She also built strong ties between our 
office, the students, their families, and officials from military 
academies.
  Although Linda has achieved much in her professional life, perhaps 
her greatest success has been in the home. Linda has been married to 
her husband, Phil, for over 40 years, and together they have three 
children and seven grandchildren. She loves her family dearly and looks 
forward to spending more time with them in her retirement. Her 
compassion and strength have shepherded them through some of life's 
most difficult challenges.
  I am truly grateful for the tremendous service Linda has rendered to 
my staff, her community, and the great State of Utah. I will miss Linda 
greatly, but I know that this next chapter in her life holds many 
exciting and wonderful opportunities. I will be forever grateful for 
her dedicated service and loyal friendship.

                          ____________________