[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25650]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO KAREN M. ECKERT

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Madam President, today I celebrate the 
retirement of Karen M. Eckert after 37 years of excellent service to 
the federal government. Karen, a remarkable public servant under both 
the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Citizenship 
and Immigration Services, and devoted resident of Buffalo, NY, retired 
on May 29, 2009.
  Karen began her career as an immigration inspector at Niagara Falls, 
NY, in 1972 and quickly became knowledgeable in all areas of 
immigration. Her work has touched the lives of thousands--giving hope 
to countless immigrants and new citizens in pursuit of their dreams, as 
well as uniting adoptive parents with children in need of a loving 
home, while striving to protect children and underprivileged birth 
parents from exploitation.
  Karen became a leading expert in intercountry adoption and child 
citizenship. In this role, she was invaluable in establishing the Child 
Citizenship Program in Buffalo, NY, drafting orphan regulations, and 
leading USCIS to take the steps necessary to implement the Hague 
Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of 
Intercountry Adoption.
  Her outstanding and distinguished service has been recognized through 
numerous awards, including an Angel in Adoption Award from the 
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in 2003, the Department 
of Homeland Security Secretary's Meritorious Service Award in 2006 and 
the USCIS Director's Award in 2008 for her direction and participation 
in the Hague Implementation Working Group.
  It is impossible to count the number of individuals who have 
personally benefited from Karen's professionalism, insights and 
dedication and she will be sincerely missed by her colleagues 
worldwide.
  We congratulate Karen M. Eckert on her outstanding and distinguished 
career and for the inspiration she is leaving behind.

                          ____________________