[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 211 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MAJOR MELISSA A. BATEMAN

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize MAJ Melissa 
Bateman for her outstanding work on behalf of the people in Wisconsin 
and our Nation. A native of Darnestown, MD, Major Bateman served as a 
2023 Department of Defense legislative fellow in my Washington, DC, 
office and later as a U.S. Army Reserve congressional liaison from 
2024-2025.
  Melissa demonstrates a level of professionalism and hard work I have 
come to expect--but not take for granted--from the Department of 
Defense and U.S. Army soldiers. Indeed, she follows a long line of 
accomplished Department of Defense legislative fellows who have made 
impactful contributions to my office and U.S. national security policy. 
She distinguished herself as an Army officer, setting a high bar and 
providing invaluable advice and insights as she advised me on wide-
ranging and complex matters under consideration before the Senate 
Appropriations Department of Defense Subcommittee. Melissa's servant 
leadership showed in her work as a congressional liaison for the U.S. 
Army Reserve. Her attention to detail and ability to effectively 
communicate with Congress became apparent as she successfully advanced 
key Army Reserve legislative initiatives and priorities.
  Melissa will soon transition to her new duty assignment at the 
Military Intelligence Readiness Command. On behalf of my colleagues and 
the U.S. Congress, I thank Melissa for her dedicated service to my 
staff, the U.S. Army, and our Nation. Part of what makes the U.S. 
military the greatest in the history of the world is that 
servicemembers like Melissa dedicate their lives to service and 
sacrifice for this country. Major Bateman does not do it alone, so I 
also acknowledge the support of her family to include her cherished 
dogs. I wish Melissa all the best in what I know is a bright future.

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