[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S2344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO MISSIE LAMBERT
Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to honor Missie Lambert,
who has been a valuable member of my staff and an incredible resource
for the people of Arkansas for more than 15 years. With her compassion,
dedication and trademark southern charm, she has helped thousands of
people and set a standard for constituent service.
Missie is a 1980 graduate of Decatur High School in Decatur, AL. She
attended Auburn University, where she was a cheerleader and graduated
with a bachelor's degree in communications. She first used her talents
in the business world, nonprofit sector, and as a wonderful wife and
mother.
In 2009, she joined my staff in the U.S. House of Representatives to
take what she thought was a small, part-time job assisting with
veterans' issues. Her tremendous compassion and organizational skills
soon made her an invaluable constituent service representative. She
worked to create partnerships with veterans' agencies and
organizations, quickly becoming a subject matter expert and authority
people across the State were eager to consult.
During her time working for the U.S. House and Senate, Missie has
handled more than 7,000 cases to help veterans, servicemembers, and
their families navigate difficult processes with the Federal
Government.
As a caseworker, she is best known for her persistence, never taking
``no'' for an answer on behalf of a veteran and exhausting every option
or resource available. Countless times, it has been her diligence that
helped track down a lost record and made the difference for a veteran
and their family.
In addition to handling a large caseload, Missie took on the
challenge of leading my office's nomination process for young people
applying to the U.S. military academies. She spent months each year
making sure every candidate would get the best possible consideration.
In addition, she provided leadership for the entire Arkansas
congressional delegation to improve the process for these youth across
the State.
Missie is a multi-talented person with a great singing voice, a green
thumb, and the gift of hospitality as she shares her famous cooking
with friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Her kindness and expertise
helped change countless lives, comfort numerous families, and set a
standard of excellence. Her friendship and counsel will be greatly
missed. Although she is leaving us to be with her family in Alabama,
Missie will always have a home in Arkansas.
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