[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO RITA MEYER

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, this week in Wyoming, one of our finest 
will be recognized by the Wyoming GOP for a lifetime of service and 
leadership. I am privileged to tell my colleagues about Rita Meyer.
  Rita honorably served our great country for more than 23 years in the 
U.S. military. She served as an enlisted airwoman before becoming an 
officer in the Wyoming Air National Guard. Rita is a combat veteran of 
both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. In 1995, 
the Air National Guard brought Rita to D.C. to act as the strategic 
planning officer for the National Guard Bureau's counterdrug 
directorate.
  Upon returning to Wyoming, Rita was appointed full-time comptroller 
for the Wyoming Air National Guard. Although eligible to retire from 
National Guard service in 2004, Rita answered the call and volunteered 
for an Active-Duty command in Southwest Asia. She was selected to serve 
as the 455th Airlift Wing Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander 
at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. She completed her tour in May 2005.
  Having attained the rank of full colonel, Rita retired from her 
incredibly distinguished military career in November of 2007. Colonel 
Meyer was recognized for going above and beyond during her service by 
being awarded with the Legion of Merit, the Order of the Bayonet, and 
the Order of St. Barbara.
  Although retired from the service, Rita would continue to give back 
to the Armed Forces. Colonel Meyer served as a member of my service 
academy nomination board. She also served as head of former Senator 
Malcolm Wallop's board. I can attest to how vital volunteers like Rita 
are to the process of nominating young men and women of Wyoming to West 
Point and the U.S. Naval, Merchant Marine, and Air Force Academies.
  In addition to an outstanding military career, Rita is an exemplary 
scholar. Rita earned two degrees from the University of Wyoming: a 
bachelor of arts in education and a bachelor of science in finance. She 
later earned a master of business administration in international 
business from Regis University, as well as a master's in national 
resource strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, 
DC.
  Ultimately, the University of Wyoming would recognize Rita as 
outstanding alumnus in both colleges of business and education. It was 
also at the University of Wyoming in Laramie that Rita was appointed to 
the board of trustees.
  Rita's distinguished career continued as chief of staff for Governor 
Jim Geringer. She was later elected as the State auditor in 2006 and 
served until 2011.
  Building on her career in the military and State government, Rita 
took the lead of the largest public utility in Wyoming as vice-
president-Wyoming for Rocky Mountain Power. As the company's only 
executive based in Wyoming, Rita oversees the utility's State business 
plan, customer service, and community relations. Rita's experience as a 
statesman proved to be valuable as she helps the company navigate 
regulatory and legislative issues. As Wyoming faces challenges in the 
ever-changing energy industry, we are fortunate to have a proven leader 
like Rita fighting for solutions.
  While being incredibly busy in her life as a citizen soldier, public 
servant, and later as a corporate executive, Rita never let that get in 
the way of being a committed wife and mother. Rita married dentist Dr. 
Charles Meyer, a Rawlins, WY, native in 1977. Dr. Meyer served as a 
navy corpsman in the Solomon Islands during WWII. He passed away in 
2011 after a long and distinguished career as a leader in dental health 
and education. Charlie and Rita were blessed with a son, Charles, Jr., 
who followed in his parent's footsteps by serving as an officer in the 
U.S. Navy. Charlie, his wife Jen, and their two children, Augusta Grace 
and John Charles, live in Maryland.
  Rita is married to Stephen J. Miller of SJ Miller Associates in 
Cheyenne. Stephen, a senior private investigator with more than 35 
years of experience in law enforcement, has a master's degree in public 
administration from the University of Wyoming.
  Wyoming has benefited immensely from Rita Meyer's wisdom and 
leadership. We continue to look to Rita as the voice for veterans and 
civilians alike. My wife Bobbi and I are proud to have Rita as our 
friend, and folks all over Wyoming are fortunate because Rita set such 
a great example for generations to come.

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