[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KERRY GARLAND

  Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that my office 
says goodbye to Kerry Garland, who has been such an asset to my team 
this past year.
  Kerry has lived in Alaska for 18 years. She went to high school at 
Bartlett High School in Anchorage and graduated from the University of 
Alaska in Anchorage with communication and a second degree, a 
bachelor's of science in nutrition.
  After graduating, she worked for the University of Alaska Anchorage. 
Then we got her. She started as an intern. Her title now is a 
constituent relations representative, but truly she runs the place. She 
manages mail. She coordinates the interns. She does so much, and she 
always does it with the utmost professionalism.
  Kerry is headed off to better things. In a few weeks, she will be one 
of the few and the proud. She is headed off to Quantico, VA, to for the 
rigorous and very competitive marine officer candidate school and then 
to the Basic School.
  Kerry says that pursuing a career as a commissioned officer in the 
U.S. Marine Corps, the hardest branch of the military for women to make 
a career out of, especially as an officer, has been a long-held dream. 
The child of marine parents, she decided that she was going to go into 
the Marines when she was 6 years old. It was ``Bring Your Mother to 
School'' day, and Kerry's mother showed up in uniform. She thought 
then, ``I want to be like her.'' There is no doubt in my mind that she 
will be.
  She plans on becoming a public affairs officer, where she will work 
to build understanding, credibility and trust. She will also work her 
hardest to protect the image of the Marine Corps both at home and 
abroad.
  It is young people like Kerry--people with drive, discipline and a 
servant's heart--that made me so optimistic for our country's future, 
and the future of my beloved Marine Corps.
  She is one of those people who everyone truly likes and who everyone 
who has ever worked with her trusts her to get the job done and to get 
it done right.
  Kerry, we will truly miss you. You will always have a place in our 
hearts and will always be part of the Sullivan team.
  Semper Fi.

                          ____________________