[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 192 (Tuesday, November 2, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7586-S7587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Tribute to Derek Coats

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, there are lots of things we disagree on 
here on the Senate floor, but one thing we all agree on is the 
importance of getting the right people to help us do these jobs.
  I rise today to honor one of my outstanding staff members, Derek 
Coats.
  Derek has recently been awarded the Great Griffon Award by his alma 
mater, Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, MO. The Great 
Griffon Award is given to those Missouri Western alumni who have made 
outstanding contributions to the workforce, to society, or to Missouri 
Western. Derek has done all three.
  After graduating from Missouri Western in 2002, with a bachelor's 
degree in political science, Derek began his service to Missouri in the 
U.S. Senate, in the office of my predecessor, Senator Bond. He served 
on Senator Bond's staff through 2010 in a variety of different jobs, 
rising to the role of district office director.
  When I came to the Senate in 2011, I asked Derek to join my team. 
Since then, he has served as my State director and deputy chief of 
staff, overseeing day-to-day operations across five statewide offices.
  Derek regularly spends his days traveling the State, meeting with 
Missourians and hearing their issues and concerns. The information he 
shares with me from those visits ensures our work in Washington aligns 
with the critical needs and priorities of our State. To provide just 
one of many examples, this information assisted in my efforts to work 
with others to restore year-round Pell grants to community colleges and 
all colleges and universities in our State. That, of course, included 
Derek's alma mater, Missouri Western.
  Derek's knowledge and experience are an incredible asset to me and to

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our entire team. The work he has done in the Senate has touched the 
lives of so many Missourians, and our State is all the better because 
of it. Missourians and I have benefited from having Derek on our team, 
and I am glad he is being recognized for his hard work. He has so much 
to be proud of, as does his wife Kellie Ann and his son Carter.
  It is certainly my pleasure to join Missouri Western State University 
in honoring Derek Coats for his service to the State of Missouri and, 
frankly, for his service to the entire country.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.