TRIBUTE TO SUSAN RENE COLLINS

On 2026-08-06, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO SUSAN RENE COLLINS" in the Senate.

TRIBUTE TO SUSAN RENE COLLINS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 129 (Thursday, August 6, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 129 (Thursday, August 6, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S4508] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO SUSAN RENE COLLINS Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Susan Rene Collins on her remarkable 23 years of dedicated service to the people of North Carolina. Rene began her public service career with then-Congressman Richard Burr as a constituent advocate and continued serving alongside him after his election to the U.S. Senate as a senior constituent advocate from 2003 to 2022. Throughout her tenure, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the people of North Carolina, assisting thousands of constituents in navigating complex Federal agencies. She also led critical efforts during times of crisis, coordinating the rescue and evacuation of Americans from Lebanon, Peru, and Afghanistan. In addition, she helped North Carolina communities recover from devastating hurricanes by working closely with Federal, State, and local partners to ensure that countless families and individuals received the assistance they needed most. Continuing her dedication to serving North Carolinians, Rene joined my office as a senior constituent advocate in 2022. She quickly became a trusted resource, providing expert assistance on immigration and U.S. Department of State matters. Her work has helped employers secure critical workforce talent through successful visa coordination, including support for businesses expanding operations in North Carolina and healthcare providers working to address physician shortages. She also continued her commitment to humanitarian service by assisting Afghan Special Immigrant Visa recipients in navigating the relocation process safely, reflecting her steadfast dedication to serving others with professionalism and compassion. Rene's commitment to public service extends far beyond the ordinary. In one extraordinary case, she worked tirelessly to secure visas for a father and his young son, who had been diagnosed with brain cancer and required lifesaving treatment at Texas Children's Hospital. Not only did she obtain the visas, but she did so in record time, helping ensure the child received the medical care that ultimately saved his life. Her efforts forever changed the lives of that family. Susan Rene Collins's lifetime of service to North Carolina stands as a testament to the extraordinary impact one dedicated public servant can make in the lives of others. I congratulate Rene on this well- deserved recognition and thank her for her unwavering commitment and compassionate service to the people of the great State of North Carolina. ____________________