[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KATE O'CONNOR

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, I would like to say a few words about 
Kate O'Connor, a former member of my staff who recently left to pursue 
another opportunity in public service.
  She is now working at the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, where she will continue her focus on telecommunications 
and information policy.
  Kate was one of the first staffers I hired after being sworn in to 
the Senate in January 2015.
  She started as a legislative correspondent and was integral in 
establishing and managing our constituent correspondence system. Her 
talent, work ethic, and interest in Alaska elevated her to a 
legislative assistant, where she oversaw issues related to the 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, as well as education 
and healthcare.
  Kate understood firsthand the unique challenges Alaska faces, 
particularly in regard to broadband deployment and reliable internet 
access. She played a critical role in helping to usher an Alaska 
specific plan through the FCC, a plan that will help bridge the digital 
divide by bringing more advanced broadband services to rural Alaska.
  It was during her time at the University of Chicago, where she was 
pursuing a bachelor's of arts in public policy from the university, 
when she ventured north to my great State of Alaska for an internship 
in Juneau.
  She fell in love with my State, as so many people do, and I am 
confident that she will go on to be a great ambassador for Alaska.
  Kate's positive attitude, her work ethic, and her love for Alaska 
will definitely be missed. I wish her all the best.

                          ____________________