[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18043]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MELISSA KALTENBACH

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I wish to honor the service and 
retirement of one of my dear friends and most respected employees, 
Melissa Kaltenbach. Melissa has served me and the people of Michigan 
with infinite loyalty and dedication for the past 27 years.
  Melissa began working for me in the Michigan House of Representatives 
and continued her service with me in the State Senate, U.S. House, and 
now in the U.S. Senate as my director of constituent services.
  In so many ways, Melissa's job is one of if not the most important 
jobs on my staff. That is because her work impacts people where it 
matters most--in their daily lives. Her compassion toward the people of 
Michigan and understanding of the problems they face has been 
instrumental in setting the high standards for constituent services in 
my office and throughout the State of Michigan.
  She has a unique ability to listen and understand the needs of 
people, and she demonstrates grace and respect for the dignity of 
others, even in the most stressful times and most difficult 
circumstances. She has gone above and beyond in so many ways--
incredible empathy, unwavering loyalty, and infinite patience.
  There really aren't enough words to describe Melissa's contributions 
to my office and to my success in serving the people of Michigan over 
these many years. She has been the go-to person on my team to mentor 
new staff, handle challenging cases, and answer those questions that 
don't seem to fall into anyone else's job description.
  We all wish Melissa continued success and happiness with her family 
as she begins this new chapter in her life, joining her husband, Tim, 
in full-time retirement.
  Her friendship and commitment to me and to the people of Michigan 
have been immeasurable, as is my gratitude for her decades of service. 
While my staff and I will miss her presence in our office, she will 
forever be an invaluable member and leader of ``Team Stabenow.''

                          ____________________