[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7072-S7073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO MAJOR CATHERINE ``CATIE'' SHUTTERS SUNDIN-

  Mr. SCHATZ. Mr. President, today, I rise to pay tribute to MAJ 
Catherine ``Catie'' Shutters Sundin and her service as an officer in 
the U.S. Army. I am especially grateful for her support to my office as 
an Army congressional fellow from January to December 2017 and, later, 
as the Army congressional budget liaison, where she supported my 
responsibilities as the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations 
Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Major 
Shutters Sundin will complete her military service in November after 
more than 12 years of honorable service.
  A native of Muskegon, MI, Major Shutters Sundin entered the military 
as a paralegal in the Indiana Army National Guard. After completing her 
initial military training, she attended Wentworth Military Academy and 
Junior College in Lexington, MO, where she commissioned as a second 
lieutenant. She completed her undergraduate degree in sociology at the 
University of Central Missouri and accessed nto Active-Duty status as 
an aviation officer. She attended flight school at Fort Rucker, AL, in 
2008, graduating as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot. She also has a master's 
degree in legislative affairs from the George Washington University.
  Major Shutters Sundin has served in a number of assignments during 
her Army career. Her first assignment as an aviation officer was with 
the 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne 
Division at Fort Campbell, KY. As a small unit leader in Alpha Company, 
she deployed her platoon to multiple joint training exercises and 
ultimately to Khost Province in eastern Afghanistan in support of 
Operation Enduring Freedom 12-13. While in combat, she served as task 
force intelligence officer, where she was charged with leading an 
intelligence unit that provided threat analysis, briefings to aircrews 
and leadership, and assisted military decision making.
  Upon redeployment, Major Shutters Sundin attended the Maneuver 
Captains Career Course at Fort Benning, GA, in preparation for her 
company command at Hunter Army Airfield, GA. There, she commanded Bravo 
Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade from January 2014 
to February 2016. Major Shutters Sundin's team of 42 personnel and 10 
UH-60M assault helicopters supported a number of training exercises to 
include a 9-month deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. 
Bravo Company was the first aviation unit to be a

[[Page S7073]]

persistent presence in Eastern Europe, where they flew across the 
Baltic States and Poland to strengthen NATO relationships while 
deterring against the threat of Russian aggression.
  In 2017, as an Army congressional fellow, I had the privilege of 
working with Major Shutters Sundin in my office for a year and during 
her subsequent assignment as the Army congressional budget liaison. She 
worked tirelessly with Members of Congress and their staff to 
accurately represent the Army's budget positions to the Senate and 
House Appropriations Committees. Her professionalism, diligence, and 
commitment to the mission are unmatched, and her work as a fellow and 
as a liaison well represented the U.S. Army and the Department of 
Defense to the U.S. Congress.
  The foundation of Major Shutter Sundin's military success is her 
family. Raised in the Midwest as one of five children, her family 
established particular values early on: service, sacrifice, and 
compassion. She is a devoted wife to her husband Carl, who also serves 
as an officer in the U.S. Army. Their commitment to service and care 
for others infuses every organization to which they belong. Together, 
they are examples of servant leaders in the U.S. Army and to their 
communities.
  Throughout her career, Major Shutters Sundin has positively impacted 
soldiers, peers, and superiors. Our country has benefited tremendously 
from her extraordinary leadership, judgment, and passion. I join my 
colleagues today in honoring her dedication to our Nation and 
invaluable service to the U.S. Congress as an Army congressional 
liaison.
  Mr. President, it has been a pleasure to have worked with a talented 
officer. On behalf of a grateful nation, I join my colleagues today in 
recognizing and commending MAJ Catherine ``Catie'' Shutters Sundin for 
her service to our country and wish her all the best as she explores 
new ways to continue her service.

                          ____________________