[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER KRISTINA LYNNE KOCH

  Mr. KAINE. Madam President, I rise today to ask the Senate to join me 
in recognizing MCPO Kristina Lynne Koch for her 23 years of outstanding 
Navy Active-Duty service, including her time as my defense fellow in 
2023 and 2024, and her subsequent assignment to the Navy's Office of 
Legislative Affairs. Prior to her exposure to the legislative branch, 
she served in the Navy's Office of Women's Policy, where she oversaw 
the critical parenthood and pregnancy portfolio. In this vital role, 
she served as a tireless advocate for military families and female 
servicemembers, spearheading landmark initiatives that modernized naval 
uniform regulations and directly enhanced the quality of life for 
thousands of sailors.
  Master Chief Koch began her distinguished career as a cryptologic 
technician interpretive, studying Arabic at the Defense Language 
Institute in Monterey, CA. Her assignments included serving as a 
language analyst and training branch chief at Naval Security Group 
Activity, Fort Gordon, GA, Air Operations Leading Chief Petty Officer 
for Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Georgia Air Operations 
Division, Arabic Apprentice Cryptologic Language Program Instructor at 
Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) Detachment Fort Gordon, 
and CTI & Intel Program Manager for the Navy Senior Language Authority 
at OPNAV N1, Chief of Naval Personnel.
  As my fellow and during her tenure in Navy OLA, Master Chief Koch had 
a profound impact, spearheading the coordination of a Supreme Court 
amicus brief that protected vital veterans' benefits legislation and 
cementing an enduring legacy by overhauling the Navy's legislative 
fellows program and ensuring expanded senior enlisted representation.
  For these reasons, I ask the U.S. Senate to join me in expressing our 
deepest gratitude to Master Chief Koch for her exemplary dedication to 
our Nation as she retires from the U.S. Navy. Throughout her 23 years 
of service, both in uniform and as the mother of two outstanding young 
adults Audrey and Austin Pyle, Master Chief Koch has demonstrated an 
unwavering commitment to the defense of our Nation and the future of 
our country. Her profound patriotism, stellar leadership, and tireless 
work ethic leave an enduring legacy that has strengthened our national 
defense.

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