[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17717-17718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARGOT ALLEN

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I am honored to rise today to pay tribute 
to Margot Allen, an exceptional employee, a dedicated patriot, an 
extraordinary woman, and a treasured friend, in celebration of her 70th 
birthday. Margot has been an invaluable part of my congressional team 
since our first campaign in 1994.
  Raised in Alabama, Margot has the charm and grace of a true southern 
belle. Add to that her demand for precision and professionalism and her 
quick wit, and it explains why she has been known to elicit a, ``Why, 
thank you!'' from an obtuse obstructionist who has quite politely been 
told to ``take a long walk off a short pier'' in that captivating 
southern drawl.
  Margot's work on behalf of veterans and seniors in Nevada has earned 
her a stellar reputation as the authority among her peers and a miracle 
worker among those constituents who have benefited from her tenacious 
advocacy. She has gained the respect and admiration of those both in 
and out of government agencies with whom she collaborates. As a 
Regional Representative in my Las Vegas office, Margot has been a 
champion for Nevada's servicemen and women, working tirelessly to 
resolve problems arising from bureaucracy or errors--often times being 
able to bring

[[Page 17718]]

relief and hope to battle weary constituents. Her association with 
active duty and retirees from all branches of service coupled with her 
deep appreciation for the ``Tradition of Honor and Legacy of Valor'' 
has earned her profound admiration from privates and generals alike. At 
Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, NV, the Commanding Officer of the 
99th Airbase Wing is often referred to as the ``Mayor of Nellis.'' 
However, anybody who has been stationed at Nellis will definitely 
concede that it is Margot who is the mayor. She knows everybody and 
everybody knows her.
  Her passion for accuracy in grammar and written composition took her 
to the University of Alabama where she worked as a professor. Margot 
also taught English language skills to Panamanians while she and her 
beloved husband Leonard were living in Panama where he worked for the 
Department of Defense. Her love of the English language and her 
commitment to scholarship has not only served her well over the years 
but also become an unequaled resource for my staff and me. Margot 
provides the final inspection for every document that is sent from any 
of my offices. She calmly, methodically, and repeatedly teaches the 
placement of commas, patiently explains when healthcare is one word or 
two, and has been known to ask staff on more than one occasion, 
``Honey, why don't you just tell me what you meant to say.''
  I am very privileged as a United States Senator to work with a team 
of highly skilled, capable, and dedicated staff members who are 
committed to this great country and the people of Nevada, and any 
measure of excellence that we achieve will bear the distinct handprint 
of Margot Allen.
  It is truly my pleasure and my honor to recognize the outstanding 
contribution Margot Allen has made to my organization and to the people 
of Nevada in the years she has been part of my congressional team and 
to wish her a very blessed and happy birthday.

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