[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1594-E1595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING MRS. MELISSA KEESEE FOR HER SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DENNIS A. ROSS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2016

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American on her 
retirement from federal service. Mrs. Melissa L. Keesee, Paralegal 
Specialist, U.S. Special Operations Command Office of the Staff Judge 
Advocate (SOJA), MacDill AFB, Florida, is retiring after over 37 years 
of distinguished and dedicated federal service, the last 22 years 
serving in SOJA.
   Mrs. Keesee began her journey in federal service as a U.S. Army 
Civilian clerk with U.S. Southern Command, Republic of Panama. She then 
became a U.S. Air Force Civilian as secretary, U.S. Readiness Command, 
MacDill AFB, FL. She is a plank owner in U.S. Special Operations 
Command (USSOCOM) as she transitioned into the standup of the command 
as a secretary, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, FL. She 
then traveled to Texas where she was a secretary with Air Education 
Training Command, Randolph AFB, TX and a secretary with Headquarters, 
U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph AFB, TX. Before returning 
to MacDill AFB, she became a secretary with the 81st Training Wing

[[Page E1595]]

(AETC), Keesler AFB, MS. At MacDill AFB for the second time, she 
rejoined USSOCOM as a secretary with J3 (operations) then moved to 
SOJA. Mrs. Keesee has touched countless people in her tenure with SOJA. 
Notable alumni of SOJA that she has worked with include three U.S. 
Attorneys, several General Officers in the Army, including a former The 
Judge Advocate of the Army (TJAG), and numerous prominent local jurists 
and attorneys.
   Her talent and dedication to duty were recognized with her award of 
one of the first Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medals to be 
awarded at USSOCOM. In 2008, the Air Force Judge Advocate Corps 
recognized her as the prestigious Harold R. Vague Award Winner (the 
most outstanding civilian paralegal in the Air Force). In that same 
year, SOJA recognized her with the Major General William Garrison 
Award. This award recognizes ``significant contributions to advancement 
of the rule of law in the Special Operations community.'' Mrs. Keesee 
has been a critical part of USSOCOM from its early beginnings and has 
served with all USSOCOM SJAs (SOJAs) in her time with USSOCOM.
   Always professional and going above and beyond, Mrs. Keesee has been 
an invaluable continuity in the high speed office of SOJA. Melissa has 
touched and helped countless SOF JAGs and legal personnel in her 
federal career. She truly is a ``Quiet Professional''. Her country and 
home state are thankful and proud. I wish Melissa and her husband of 25 
years, Rick, along with their daughter, Jessica, Godspeed in retirement 
and justly deserved personal time.

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