[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 10931-10932]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING LINDA NORRIS

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of Linda 
Norris, a beloved former member of both my State and Washington, DC, 
staff who passed away recently. Linda was the very first member of Team 
Crapo and has left a lasting legacy in my office as well as in her 
adopted State of Idaho.
  Linda retired from the Senate nearly 7 years ago after providing 18 
years of service to Idahoans. Linda was the first staff member to join 
my congressional campaign as a member of my first House campaign staff. 
She was prominent and pivotal in my campaign and quickly became one of 
the most reliable and intuitive staff members. Linda then became my 
first regional director in Twin Falls, ID, serving throughout my 
service in the U.S. House of Representatives and into my service in the 
U.S. Senate. As State Director of Constituent Services, she established 
high constituent service standards, ones that are still used in my 
office, and she advocated strongly for military families and veterans. 
Her friendly nature, southern charm, and quick intellect helped defuse 
potential conflicts, and she represented the House and Senate offices 
with the utmost professionalism.
  Whether she was working in Idaho or Washington, DC, her priority was 
to serve the people of Idaho, which she carried out with the utmost 
care and diligence. Her lasting legacy will be her influence over 
domestic violence awareness and prevention. More than 20 years ago, she 
arranged for me to visit a local shelter for abused children. The visit 
inspired an immovable commitment to increase awareness of domestic 
violence and to advocate for solutions and assistance for victims in 
every possible circumstance. Her interest and advocacy in this matter 
also spurred her into action when she recognized the need for training 
public servants who worked on public lands in how to handle domestic 
violence situations that arise when people are on public lands, not in 
their homes. With my strong support, she worked with the appropriate 
individuals within the U.S. Forest Service to initiate programs to 
train employees on domestic violence prevention. This remarkable 
achievement might be enough to most people, but Linda was a force that 
continued to search for ways to improve the lives of others.
  She touched the lives of many Idaho military families and youth. As 
an Army wife herself, Linda had a personal understanding of military 
families. This experience gave her empathy to advocate effectively and 
attentively on behalf of Idaho military members, veterans, and their 
families. Linda also instituted and guided my military academy 
nomination process, helping countless Idaho youth on their path to 
success.
  She was observant, inspired, tactful, and hard-working. Linda helped 
highlight the unrecognized good deeds of fellow Idahoans by suggesting 
I create two awards: the Spirit of Idaho for volunteers, and the Spirit 
of Freedom for veterans and those who work with veterans. These awards 
recognize the extraordinary efforts of Idahoans and the service of 
veterans and volunteers serving veterans. She also helped achieve hard-
sought land access and conservation policies. Linda was a nurse by 
training and profession, which is consistent with her gift for helping 
and caring for people, a behavior she demonstrated repeatedly. The 
legacy that she left upon her retirement remains today in the Crapo 
office.
  Since news of her unexpected passing has reached my staff and former 
staff members, remembrances of Linda have poured in. I would like to 
share a few with you:
  ``Linda was a singular individual who set the pace for constituent 
services in Idaho. She cared for individuals and families, not `cases'. 
Her approach influenced me and how I set up succeeding constituent 
services operations. Her zealous care for people has been emulated and 
has resulted in thousands of Idahoans getting the help they deserve 
from their government.''
  ``Linda was truly an amazing, generous, and gracious lady. She truly 
was beautiful both inside and out. Linda made me feel so welcome on my 
first trip to Idaho. She joked with people that she introduced me to 
that I was from way, way Southern Idaho. We decided that Lava Hot 
Springs would be my adopted hometown. Really being from Louisiana, I 
loved that Linda and I shared strong Southern roots, and great wacky 
stories.''
  ``She has that southern mixture of sweetness and sass with an 
underlying spirit and determination that was always apparent.''
  Beyond her professional accomplishments, Linda was a great friend. 
Not only did she pay attention to my professional needs, but she also 
recognized when some personal time was needed. Many times when I was 
working in her region, she built in time in the schedule for a much 
needed clothes shopping trip, a visit to the eye doctor, or just some 
down time with my family. My wife, family, and I have all been blessed 
with her friendship. Linda will be missed beyond measure, and I extend 
deep condolences to family and friends. Thank you for your service, 
Linda. Rest in peace, dear friend.

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