[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3023-S3024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO STAFF SERGEANT KAT KAELIN

 Mr. HELLER. Madam President, today I wish to recognize SSG Kat 
Kaelin for her outstanding contributions in serving our country. In 
2011, Staff Sergeant Kaelin was selected to serve as a member of a 20-
woman cultural support team, CST, that assisted Special Operations 
missions in locating terrorists for an 8 month period. It gives me 
great pleasure to recognize her achievement in qualifying for this 
prestigious position and for her continued dedication in serving the 
female military community.
  Staff Sergeant Kaelin joined the Nevada National Guard while she was 
still in her junior year of high school at Spring Creek High School. 
Beginning in August of 2011, she served in an 8-month mission in Iraq 
as a member of CST-2. The team was designed specifically to serve as a 
resource for the 75th Ranger Regiment in its mission by gathering 
information from Afghan

[[Page S3024]]

women and children. To become a member of the team, Staff Sergeant 
Kaelin endured intense fitness training and psychological testing. 
After successfully finishing training, she became the first and only 
woman from the Nevada National Guard to join a CST. Staff Sergeant 
Kaelin earned a Combat Action Badge for her service in this role. Her 
sacrifice in defending our freedoms is invaluable.
  In May of 2012, Staff Sergeant Kaelin returned to the United States, 
and she is currently finishing her military career in the Inactive 
Ready Reserves. Since returning from deployment, she has dedicated her 
time to a new mission to help others returning home from service. 
Specifically, she has been fighting to assist women veterans and their 
children who are homeless. She has become a powerful voice on behalf of 
female veterans, and I am thankful for all that she has done for our 
country and the State of Nevada. She is now running for Ms. Veteran 
America for 2016 in her endeavors to increase awareness for female 
veterans. I wish her the best of luck in this competition.
  I extend my deepest gratitude to Staff Sergeant Kaelin for her 
courageous contributions to our Nation. Her unwavering dedication to 
her career is commendable, and she stands as a shining example for 
future generations of heroes. Staff Sergeant Kaelin's service to her 
country and her bravery earn her a place among the outstanding men and 
women who have valiantly defended our Nation.
  As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize 
Congress has a responsibility not only to honor the brave individuals 
who serve our Nation, but also to ensure they are cared for when they 
return home. Equally as important, it is crucial that female 
servicemembers and veterans have access to their specific health care 
needs. There are countless distinguished women who have made sacrifices 
beyond measure and deserve nothing but the best treatment. I remain 
committed to upholding this promise for our veterans and servicemembers 
in Nevada and throughout the Nation and will continue to fight until 
this becomes a reality.
  Throughout her tenure, Staff Sergeant Kaelin has demonstrated 
professionalism, commitment to excellence, and dedication to the 
highest standards of the U.S. Army. I am both humbled and honored by 
her service and am proud to have had someone from the Nevada National 
Guard serve our Nation in such a significant role. Today I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing Staff Sergeant Kaelin for all of 
her accomplishments and wish her well in her future endeavors.

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