[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S699-S700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Remembering Leland Christensen

  Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, I am just profoundly sad and also humbled 
and proud to honor the memory of a cherished son of Wyoming. More than 
anything, I rise to honor my longtime friend Leland Christensen.
  Leland was most recently State director for my U.S. Senate office. 
Truly, his death cuts me to the depths of my heart. I have known Leland 
for decades, and there are few losses in my life that I have ever felt 
as deeply as this one. Leland was all Wyoming. He was tough as nails, 
endlessly patient, and unwaveringly kind.
  Prior to his time in my office, Leland served the people of Wyoming 
and our great Nation in a number of roles. He was formerly a member of 
the Wyoming National Guard; a sheriff; a county commissioner for Teton 
County; a State senator and chair of our State senate's Judiciary 
Committee; a deputy director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland 
Security; and, of course, most recently, State director for our U.S. 
Senate office.
  When I was elected to the U.S. Senate, I knew I needed Leland on my

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team because he loved Wyoming people. He loved to help his fellow man. 
He cared about the challenges faced by our State and its people. His 
smile would light up every room, and his laugh was infectious. He was a 
joy to be with. He was my dear friend.
  He even guided my daughter and me into the Teton wilderness, along 
with his own family, on horseback to Hawks Rest, the most remote place 
in the lower 48 States--in tents, in the rain, fishing, with mules, 
panniers, packs. It was an incredible experience. We also floated the 
Snake River together, with Leland at the helm of his own raft.
  His knowledge and skill had a timeless quality to them. He rescued 
people in swollen rivers. He rescued their horses. He searched for 
people in wilderness areas because he knew the wilderness areas like 
the back of his hand.
  He was a totally unique human being. His knowledge and skill were so 
timeless, he would have thrived and excelled had he lived 200 years ago 
just as surely as he did in the 21st century, where he skillfully 
navigated legislation, people issues, computer issues, and listened to 
endless books on tape while he traveled all over Wyoming. He was a 
timeless, wonderful individual.
  I can honestly say I never worried about whether my team was taking 
care of the needs of my constituents in Wyoming because I always knew 
that Leland was watching. He always made sure that anyone who needed 
help with a Federal Agency was assisted and that our team was doing 
everything possible to help them resolve their problems. By every 
estimation--certainly by my estimation--he was 10 feet tall and 
bulletproof.
  But, in His own good time, God calls all His children home to be of 
service there. Leland was prepared for his service in Heaven each and 
every day throughout his entire life in Wyoming. I can remember Leland 
praying before a meal out in the wilderness with such gratitude that 
you had heard a sermon in gratitude by the time he was done offering 
grace over a meal.
  I have talked a lot about Leland as a public servant and a friend, 
but he was first and foremost a loving and devoted father and husband. 
I am mourning his loss with his wife Anita; children Hunter, Brittany, 
Simone, Jed, and Wyatt; their spouses; and his grandchildren.
  My staff and I, many of whom are here today joining me in this Senate 
Chamber, along with the entire Wyoming community, tens of thousands of 
whom knew Leland and loved Leland, are all praying for Leland's family. 
Words cannot truly convey the loss that we as a team feel since Leland 
passed away.
  I have worked with hundreds of colleagues, many of whom I have cared 
for very much, but rarely do I come across someone whose sincere 
humility, generosity, and selflessness come close to those of Leland 
Christensen. Every day spent with Leland was a better day. He was the 
definition of both ``civil servant'' and ``statesman.''
  On behalf of the people of Wyoming, I want to say thank you for his 
service to our State and our country.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Markey). The Senator from Pennsylvania.