[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[SEN]
[Pages 577-578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MARGOT ALLEN

  Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate my longtime 
staffer Margot Allen on her retirement. Margot has been an essential 
part of my team since I became a U.S. Senator in 2011, and I am 
thankful for all of her hard work on behalf of the people of Nevada.
  For the past 5 years, Margot has gone above and beyond not only 
working hard to help achieve my goals for Nevada's military community, 
but also to bring southern Nevada's active military members, veterans, 
and their families an unwavering ally in fighting bureaucratic red tape 
and various issues that often occur when working with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
  From helping Nevadans receive the benefits they deserve, to 
personally meeting many serving at both Nellis Air Force Base and 
Creech Air Force Base, to welcoming a variety of veterans living 
throughout the southern Nevada community, Margot has been there to 
support those that have given so much for our freedoms. I extend my 
deepest gratitude to Margot for working with Nevada's military 
community and representing my office with such a genuine concern for 
Nevada's brave men and women. Not only has she gained my respect, but 
the respect of the military community across southern Nevada through 
her tireless resolve to bring these men and women the support they 
deserve.
  Margot also served as my statewide coordinator for Nevada's U.S. 
service academies. It was through her efforts in working with Nevada's 
youth who

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were interested in attending these important institutions that many 
achieved this goal and were accepted into the academies.
  Along with helping Nevada's veterans and active military members, 
Margot also served as a point of contact to seniors across southern 
Nevada struggling with Social Security, Medicare, and other programs 
available to help our aging population. Throughout the last 5 years, 
Margot worked diligently to help seniors in need receive the help 
necessary to remain healthy and happy. This community is fortunate that 
Margot led the way to help southern Nevada's seniors.
  Margot also contributed greatly to my team by utilizing a completely 
different skill set--a love of grammar and writing. Prior to working on 
behalf of the people of Nevada in my office, she served as a professor 
at the University of Alabama, as well as taught English-language skills 
in Panama while her husband, Leonard, worked abroad for the Department 
of Defense. To say I was privileged to have her in my office would be 
an understatement.
  Above all else, I want to thank Margot for all of her hard work and 
devotion to the people of our great State. She wore many hats, working 
with veterans, seniors, and a variety of other Nevadans struggling to 
work with Federal agencies--we are very fortunate to have had someone 
willing to put forth such effort and compassion to help those in need. 
Her legacy of resilience and determination will never be forgotten.
  Today I ask my colleagues and all Nevadans to join me in 
congratulating Margot on her retirement and in thanking her for all she 
has done for the people of our State.

                          ____________________