[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 133 (Saturday, August 6, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL LAURIE RODRIGUEZ

  Mr. ROUNDS. Madam President, I rise today to honor an exceptional 
member of the Air National Guard. I would like to recognize Lt. Col. 
Laurie Rodriguez's distinguished service and dedication to enhancing 
the relationship between the National Guard and my office as a 
legislative liaison.
  A native of Brandon, SD, Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez enlisted in the 
South Dakota Air National Guard and was later commissioned as a force 
support officer. She has served 25 years in both the South Dakota and 
Mississippi National Guard in a broad range of drill status and Active-
Duty assignments, including a deployment to Afghanistan in support of 
Operation Enduring Freedom. Currently, she is excelling in not one, but 
two, demanding positions as the 186th Force Support Squadron commander 
and as the joint team lead for the National Guard Bureau Office of 
Legislative Liaison. Additionally, she has served Active-Duty tours at 
Headquarters Air Force, the Executive Office of the President's Office 
of National Drug Control Policy, and several offices within the 
National Guard Bureau.
  Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez has served as a legislative liaison 
officer since October of 2018. Her attention to detail and 
responsiveness strengthened the relationship between my office and the 
National Guard immeasurably. Additionally, she formulated the 
congressional engagement plan and prepared National Guard leadership 
for over 71 meetings and hearings, informing congressional members on 
the National Guard Bureau's legislative priorities. Her efforts played 
a pivotal role in securing $129 million in appropriations in support of 
counter drug operations helping deter the opioid epidemic. Laurie also 
served as lead action officer on the impacts the creation of the Space 
Force had on 13 National Guard units with space missions. Finally, she 
answered hundreds of congressional inquiries, which provided critical 
information necessary for the consideration of three National Defense 
Authorization Acts. She did all of this while taking care of the men 
and women under her command at the 186th Force Support Squadron.
  After concluding this challenging assignment in August, Lieutenant 
Colonel Rodriguez will take on another challenging role as a deputy 
division chief within the National Guard Bureau Operations Directorate. 
She embodies the qualities that the Nation expects from our officer 
corps and has a promising career ahead in continued service to our 
Nation. In closing, I express my gratitude and appreciation to 
Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez for her excellent support of my office in 
furtherance of National Guard missions and my appreciation to her 
supportive husband, Angello Rodriguez. I wish this National Guard 
family all the best in their next chapter of service to our Nation.

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