[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN APPRECIATION OF COLLEEN ALTSTOCK AND HER SERVICE TO THE HOMELAND 
                           SECURITY COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, as the Ranking Member of 
the Committee on Homeland Security, I rise to express my appreciation 
of Ms. Colleen Altstock upon the conclusion of her service to the 
Committee as a Pearson Foreign Policy Fellow and return to the 
Department of State.
   Since joining the Committee in September 2017, Ms. Altstock has made 
valuable contributions to our legislative and oversight work by sharing 
her vast knowledge of counterterrorism and foreign affairs, especially 
with respect to U.S. policy toward Russia and China. She has been a 
reliable resource to both our staff and the Members of the Committee.
   During her tenure on the Committee, Ms. Altstock shared her 
extensive knowledge of State Department programs such as its visa 
vetting and foreign assistance programs, including its counterterrorism 
grant and anti-corruption rule of law assistance programs. Ms. Altstock 
made valuable contributions to our staff's understanding of the State 
Department's visa operations by arranging a staff visit to State 
consular training facilities so that my staff could observe firsthand 
State's visa screening and fraud prevention techniques. Finally, Ms. 
Altstock prepared background memoranda on U.S. relations with Russia, 
North Korea, and Iran, including President Trump's Summit with North 
Korea's Kim Jong Un and the possible consequences of the U.S. decision 
to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement.
   Ms. Altstock played a key role as a staffer on the Congressional 
Task Force on Election Security, a task force established by Democratic 
Leader Nancy Pelosi which I co-chaired with Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA). 
She contributed greatly to the work of the Task Force, including 
assisting with writing the Task Force's final report and 
recommendations. Ms. Altstock was also instrumental in drafting H.R. 
5011, the Election Security Act, which currently has co-sponsorship of 
over 100 Members of Congress. Ms. Altstock also contributed to over a 
half dozen Committee oversight hearings.
   Throughout her time on the Committee, Ms. Altstock has displayed a 
high degree of professionalism and personal commitment to providing 
Members of the Committee and staff valuable insight and information. We 
thank Ms. Altstock for her service to the Committee and our country and 
wish her the very best as she returns to the U.S. Department of State.

                          ____________________