[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 79 (Tuesday, May 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF KELLY LUNGREN McCOLLUM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2024

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Kelly Lungren 
McCollum, my Chief of Staff since my election to Congress in 2010. 
Kelly is retiring from Capitol Hill today, having served several 
Members of Congress for more than twenty-five years.
  The daughter of former U.S. Congressman Dan Lungren, Kelly was born 
in Long Beach, California. Upon her father's first election to 
Congress, her family moved to the Washington, DC area in 1979. Raised 
in Vienna, Virginia, Kelly attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic 
School.
  Kelly graduated from high school in three years and started at Santa 
Clara University. Shortly thereafter, Kelly began a career in August of 
1994 as a Congressional staffer for then-U.S. Representative James 
Inhofe, who at that time was running for Oklahoma's open U.S. Senate 
seat. During Kelly's time in Congress, she held every position in my 
district and D.C. offices, other than Legislative Director.
  After her service to the Sooner State, Kelly returned to Capitol Hill 
and entered a new chapter of her professional life, serving as Chief of 
Staff to U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. Around the same time, she 
would meet her loving husband, Jason, whom she has been married to for 
nearly eighteen years.
  Kelly would continue in Congress, dedicating a period of time to the 
legislative team of U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert before the 
beginning of a thirteen-and-a-half-year career as my Chief of Staff.
  As my Chief of Staff, Kelly will be best remembered as a true 
professional, a dedicated servant to the people of Virginia's Ninth 
District, and a source of responsible leadership for my staff, 
colleagues, and family. More importantly, she has been a great friend.
  Congratulations to Kelly on her remarkable career. Her institutional 
knowledge, loyalty and leadership are qualities that will be missed by 
my office and many others. I wish her nothing more than the absolute 
best.

                          ____________________