[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7984-S7985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CONNIE McKENZIE

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to recognize 
a truly exceptional individual who has been a member of my staff for 
many years. It is bittersweet to stand before you today to recognize 
the well-deserved retirement of Connie McKenzie, of my Juneau, AK, 
office.
  Connie isn't originally from Alaska, but you would never know it. She 
moved to our great State in the summer of 1987 to take a seasonal job 
in Skagway with a cruise ship tour company, but those few weeks in the 
Alaskan summer soon turned into a home. She has been in Alaska ever 
since, and that summer job quickly turned into a successful career in 
the tourism industry in southeast Alaska, giving Connie the opportunity 
to work closely with community members, interact with local businesses 
and to help grow the regional economy. She is a people person to her 
core and someone we all quickly relate to, a valuable trait for any 
career.

[[Page S7985]]

  Connie soon gained a reputation as someone to go to when you needed 
something done. She is a problem-solver who doesn't know the word no. 
From the beginning, her ability to find solutions, showcase her region, 
and quickly develop professional contacts made her a well-respected 
member of the community. For more than 20 years, she has been a 
dedicated volunteer and officer of local and statewide political 
groups, including the Capital City Republican Women, district cochair, 
and the Republican State Central Committee. She has been active in Beta 
Sigma Phi and a variety of community service projects.
  Connie's local involvement eventually opened doors for a new career, 
one in public service. In 2001, Connie began working for the Alaska 
Congressional Delegation. She first started working for Congressman 
Young, now the Dean of the House. She was a natural fit and soon was 
running a joint office for the entire congressional delegation. It was 
my good fortune to join the U.S. Senate with a seasoned staff member 
like Connie. Her regional knowledge and work experience have, no doubt, 
helped me represent the unique needs of Alaskans, particularly those in 
southeast.
  After serving in this role for many years, Connie left the office in 
2013 to work for the State administration under then-Governor Sean 
Parnell, but she just couldn't stay away, nor could we last too long 
without her. Thankfully, in 2015, she came back to us and has served 
our Juneau office in service to Senator Sullivan and me. She has been a 
dedicated public servant, and I know I speak on behalf of so many 
Alaskans when I say we will be sad to see her go.
  Congressman Young said of Connie that she ``is one of the rare gems 
that comes along rarely in a Congressional career. From the moment I 
hired her she has been the embodiment of a perfect staff. She is the 
person who the people of Southeast Alaska have come to rely upon for 
sound policy advice, every kind of constituent service and has gone 
above the call of duty to serve as a counselor for the mentally ill and 
homeless population. She faced any challenge with a positive demeanor, 
rock solid ethics and made it all look easy. Her guidance to me has 
been a godsend and a large part of my own success in not only Southeast 
Alaska but statewide. Whether employed directly by me, the 
Congressional delegation or any other entity, Connie has always been a 
stalwart supporter, volunteer and overall great person. Connie, we will 
sorely miss you!'' I couldn't agree more with Don's words.
  Connie has done a great job representing the Alaska Congressional 
Delegation. She brings new meaning to the term professional. Regardless 
of what side of the political spectrum you are on, you know you will 
get a straight and fair answer from Connie. Constituents appreciate her 
work, other elected officials are comfortable working with her, and the 
office staff is always asking for and depending on her expertise. In my 
office, she is our informal office trainer. If you want to know how to 
do something, Connie is the one to ask. She has provided hundreds of 
Alaskans with casework assistance on nearly the same amount of issues, 
from taxes to immigration to forest management, you name it. Connie has 
handled it.
  People that work with Connie will always find a brilliant, caring 
person that demonstrates a good sense of comradery and teamwork. This 
is what her colleagues and friends say about her, and I couldn't say it 
better myself.
  Connie's departure will certainly create a loss for me and my team, 
but I know Connie won't be at a loss for things to do. She is an avid 
outdoors woman, enjoying skiing, hiking, and biking with her husband 
Mitch and dog Brodie whenever possible. No hill is too steep, no trail 
is too long, she tackles each adventure with enthusiasm and a deep love 
for the outdoors.
  Often when I would travel to her region, Connie somehow found time in 
my otherwise packed schedule to fit constituent meetings into a hike 
through the Tongass or some other outdoor adventure, giving us a chance 
to fill our lungs with fresh air while we worked. I will miss those 
hikes together, but now, I will just have to schedule them with her 
rather than the other way around.
  Connie may be retiring from her career of public service, but I have 
no doubt she will continue to remain engaged in her community. It is in 
her blood. Connie leaves behind a legacy of hard work, humor, and 
commitment to Alaska that will forever be remembered. I wish her all 
the best in the next chapter of her life. Connie; I'll see you on the 
trails.

                          ____________________