Speech #1090097130

She has been utterly selfless. subsuming her own opinions to be instead the voice of the members of Congress she has served and working always for the good of our constituents. not her own personal gain. Because she is always the picture of discretion. she has the unfailing trust of our constituents. my staff and me. There are thousands ot people in the congressional district I represent---immigrants and new citizens. college students. veterans. people with disabilities. young. old. rich and poorwhose lives have been bettered by the efforts of Marsha McElligott. Marshas a very modest person. but I believe theres no exaggeration in saying that shes made a difference in the future of our nation. because of her particular devotion to two areas of her work: bringing new citizens into our country and helping to select the finest leaders o our armed forces. For hundreds of refugees. visa applicants. or those needing help with the naturalization process. Marshas patience and compassion has meant the difference between hope and despair. success and failure. united or divided families. The long and exhausting process these special cases require have proven no match for Marshas limitless diligence and desire to serve those in need of help. Many of these cases were presented by people who didnt speak English or didnt know our customs. people who were scared and intimidated. She made a good introduction to these people of what America was all about. and what American government means in the lives of individuals. People who were frightened by the immigration process when they came to our offices were reassured by her direct personal contact. her nononsense attitude and the confidence she inspired that shed sort out whatever sort of bureaucratic mess they were in. A generation of immigrants to the Finger Lakes region from all over the world became citizens because of her. Hundreds of young men and women seeking appointments to the nations military academies also have Marsha to thank for their entry into these elite institutions. Marshas ability to coach these future leaders o our armed forces successfully through the nomination process is worthy o great admiration and praise.