[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 211 (Tuesday, December 7, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING COLLEEN DENNY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2021

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colleen Denny, a 
partner in our effort to evacuate Afghan allies and a trusted resource 
for them as they look ahead to the vetting process.
  Service is ingrained in Ms. Denny's DNA--she is a graduate of the 
United States Coast Guard Academy, where she earned her degree and was 
commissioned as an ensign. During her 8 years in service, she served on 
three different ships, including as commanding officer of a fast 
response cutter. Her duties spanned from search and rescues, counter-
narcotics operations, to humanitarian aid missions. In 2010, when 
Haiti's infrastructure was leveled by a massive 7.0 earthquake, Ms. 
Denny was one of the first boots on the ground at the Port-au-Prince 
harbor, providing essential medical care, helicopter evacuations, and 
disaster relief to the population.
  Later, as a Peace Fellow with the Children's Peace Initiative in 
Kenya, she worked to settle differences between warring pastoralist 
communities. With a focus on shared activities and common purposes, Ms. 
Denny helped bring together children from the two sides as well as 
tribal leaders in order to shift how the groups saw each other from 
adversary to ally.
  Now, as regional director for Europe at Spirit of America, Colleen 
was instrumental in helping our group of Afghans escape grave and 
immediate threats from the Taliban. Despite the tragedy of fleeing 
their homeland, Ms. Denny provided them the support they need to now 
look towards the future with hope. From securing housing to providing 
basic supplies and tools to stay in touch with loved ones, Ms. Denny 
has given the same time, care, and consideration to each request. Ms. 
Denny is an example of our country at its best, with an attention to 
detail second to none. I cannot express how grateful I am to have her 
skills and expertise on our side.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Ms. Colleen Denny for her willingness 
to go above and beyond the call of duty in our effort to evacuate 
Afghan allies from Kabul and support them in their new life. For being 
there, on the tarmac, to meet vulnerable men, women, and children when 
they landed in Tirana and for continuing to be there for them in the 
days and weeks afterward, I submit these words--may they stand as a 
tribute to her dedicated service when the moment called for it most.

                          ____________________