[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 188 (Thursday, December 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S8457]



                      RECOGNIZING LORELEI SHEPARD

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Madam President, I rise today to recognize and thank 
Ms. Lorelei Shepard, who will be retiring from the United States Senate 
at the end of the year. Lorelei began her career on the Hill in 1993, 
working for the Secretary of the Senate as an elevator operator in the 
Capitol. She eventually became a supervisor where she was responsible 
for managing the weekly schedule of 20 operators and supervising their 
day to day duties. Her pleasant demeanor and calm nature served her 
well as she guided and delivered confused visitors and harried staff 
and Senators to their destinations in the Capitol.
  She joined the staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence 
in 1995, as the Committee's receptionist, where once again her calm and 
friendly approach and knowledge of the Capitol served her well. In 
2000, Lorelei decided to pursue one of her dreams and she moved to a 
beautiful home in a little town in Vermont. As a Californian, I think 
it is safe to say that although beautiful, the winters in Vermont leave 
something to be desired. Thanks to that New England winter, Lorelei 
decided she needed to thaw out and she soon returned to Washington. 
Through a combination of good luck and timing, the Committee was able 
to have Lorelei join the Committee staff again, at the end of 2001.
  She has served for the last 10 years on the Committee's staff, 
including for the last 5 years as our security assistant, making sure 
that classified documents are logged and distributed appropriately, 
handling classified correspondence, and keeping track of the secrets 
entrusted to the Committee.
  It is the Intelligence Committee's constitutional responsibility to 
oversee the intelligence activities of our nation. Through her many 
years of service on the Committee, Lorelei has made a quiet but 
critical contribution to this effort. For that, I thank her.
  Though Lorelei will be leaving, the Shepard family still remains a 
part of the Senate community. Lorelei's daughter, Lori, and son, Peter, 
have followed in their mother's footsteps and both work in the Senate 
today. This is quite a testament to their family's commitment and 
dedication to our nation and one for which they should be proud.
  I wish Lorelei all the best as she retires and eventually returns to 
Vermont. I know she will enjoy the new-found time she will have to 
pursue her love of quilting, writing and the myriad of other talents 
with which she has been blessed.
  On behalf of the Intelligence Committee, many thanks Lorelei, best 
wishes, and stay warm.

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