The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE WORK OF FORMER SENIOR CONSTITUENT SERVICES ADVOCATE
LAURA RUDE
______
HON. CHERI BUSTOS
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 30, 2022
Mrs. BUSTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and recognize the work of Laura Rude, my former Senior Constituent Services Advocate in Rock Island, Illinois.
Laura has given nine years of dedicated service to the communities that make up Illinois' 17th Congressional District. She oversees our Congressional Record program, where she writes and edits submissions, and has nearly doubled our output per year during our final term in Congress. Laura has also written over 3,000 congratulations letters to constituents on my behalf. During her time in our office, Laura successfully closed over 2,500 cases, encompassing every single type of casework and working with every federal agency. She is truly a jack of all trades.
Laura, who received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Illinois State University, is truly the ``do-it-all'' caseworker. She is profoundly kind and understanding when assisting constituents, and has handled every type of miscellaneous case that others would consider out-of-the-box or difficult. One of her most memorable cases was assisting Laura Thomsen, who contacted our office because she was approved for Social Security Disability Insurance in November 2021, and had waited past the 120-day wait period to receive her benefits. Laura swiftly contacted the Social Security Administration on Ms. Thomsen's behalf and kept her updated on the case. Finally, on July 14, 2022, the Social Security Administration released the $71,317.81 in backpay that was owed to Ms. Thomsen. This is a lifechanging amount of money for anyone, let alone someone who was unable to work due to a disability. Without a doubt, Laura has made a significant difference in the lives of countless constituents.
It is because of kind and dedicated leaders such as my former Senior Constituent Services Advocate, Laura Rude, that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to, again, formally celebrate the exceptional work of Laura Rude.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 159(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 159(2)
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