[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 117 (Thursday, July 18, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LEADERSHIP, LOYALTY, AND LEGACY: HONORING KIMBERLY S. CLIFTON RUDOLPH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 18, 2024

  Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in gratefulness, praise, and thanks 
to honor the unique leadership, loyalty, and legacy of Kimberly S. 
Clifton Rudolph, who recently retired from the House as my Chief of 
Staff.
  A proud Hoosier, Kim also has strong ties to Tennessee and Michigan. 
Thanks to hard work, dedication, and the influence of her aunt--
Olympian and trailblazer Wilma Rudolph--Kim became a talented track 
athlete in high school. Despite receiving athletic scholarships, Kim's 
mother, Charlene, insisted on her children utilizing their intellectual 
capacity. As a result, Kim chose to attend DePauw University in 
Greencastle, Indiana. Graduating with honors with a degree in 
communications was not enough for Kim, however. She was selected, and 
attended, the University of Caen in France where she expanded her 
education in international business. Returning to her second home of 
Nashville, Tennessee, Kim completed a master's in business education 
from Belmont University before becoming a successful bank executive and 
managing her aunt's philanthropic Olympic non-profit organization.
  Despite her success in the non-profit and private arenas, Kim, like 
many Hill staffers, chose the moment over the money. She started out as 
a communications director and served as legislative director before 
rising to chief of staff to my friend and mentor, former U.S. 
Representative Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D-MI). Under Kim's leadership, 
Congresswoman Kilpatrick was able to steer over $2 billion to the State 
of Michigan and helped Representative Kilpatrick become the first, and 
so far only, Black woman to serve on the powerful House Appropriations 
Subcommittee for Defense. Kim accepted the opportunity to lead my 
office when Congresswoman Kilpatrick retired.
  Leadership is Kim's strongest quality. Kim is a woman of deep faith, 
and the equanimity she manifested daily in Washington, D.C., and 
Indianapolis was essential throughout many challenging moments and 
accomplishments: the turmoil of the fight for healthcare reform, my 
selection as the first Muslim on the House Intelligence Committee; and 
the upheaval of our Nation during and after January 6, 2021. Kim 
remains one of the most respected, honored, and decorated chiefs of 
staff in Congress. Kim is also one of the elite staffers who completed 
the bicameral and bipartisan fellowship in the John C. Stennis Center 
for Public Service while simultaneously serving as chief of staff.
  Kim helped me bring millions of dollars in Appropriations to the 
people of Indianapolis and guided a steady, capable staff in 
Washington, D.C., and in the district office with very little turnover. 
The dozens of Members of Congress, Hill staff, and others who Kim 
mentored directly will continue carrying on Kim's legacy. And now, Kim 
will continue giving back her years of wisdom and experience to serve 
future leaders as an executive coach.
  Kim brought selfless service and moral courage to Capitol Hill for 
decades, and I thank her for her leadership, loyalty, and legacy of 
public service. On behalf of the grateful people of the city of 
Indianapolis and the State of Indiana, I thank Kim and wish her nothing 
but the best as she continues to make her mark on the world.

                          ____________________