Floor Statements

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which I introduced today.

America's truckdrivers are on the frontlines of keeping goods and our economy moving. More than 70 percent of goods across the United States are shipped by truck.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting supply chain crisis exacerbated longstanding challenges for truckers, including long hours away from home and time spent waiting--often unpaid--to load and unload at congested ports, warehouses, and distribution centers.

As our Nation makes historic investments in our port and supply chain infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, we should also improve wages and working conditions for essential workers and ensure they are paid for all of the hours they work.

However, for more than 80 years, Federal law has denied truckers guaranteed overtime pay benefits that are afforded to nearly all other professions. This means that if a truckdriver experiences delays due to congestion or weather, they are often not paid even though they are working. Requiring overtime will create an incentive for the shippers, receivers, and carriers to get cargo loaded and unloaded--keeping truckers and our supply chain moving.

The motor carrier exemption exacerbates trucking workforce challenges. In fact, a February 2022 freight and logistics supply chain assessment by the Department of Transportation urged Congress to repeal this exemption. Additionally, research suggests that when truck labor rates are fair, there is less driver fatigue, fewer regulatory violations, and lower crash rates.

That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to repeal the overtime exemption for motor carriers.

I want to thank Senator Markey for coleading this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this bill that will ensure that trucker compensation reflects the fact that these jobs are essential.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which I introduced today.

America's truckdrivers are on the frontlines of keeping goods and our economy moving. More than 70 percent of goods across the United States are shipped by truck.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting supply chain crisis exacerbated longstanding challenges for truckers, including long hours away from home and time spent waiting--often unpaid--to load and unload at congested ports, warehouses, and distribution centers.

As our Nation makes historic investments in our port and supply chain infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, we should also improve wages and working conditions for essential workers and ensure they are paid for all of the hours they work.

However, for more than 80 years, Federal law has denied truckers guaranteed overtime pay benefits that are afforded to nearly all other professions. This means that if a truckdriver experiences delays due to congestion or weather, they are often not paid even though they are working. Requiring overtime will create an incentive for the shippers, receivers, and carriers to get cargo loaded and unloaded--keeping truckers and our supply chain moving.

The motor carrier exemption exacerbates trucking workforce challenges. In fact, a February 2022 freight and logistics supply chain assessment by the Department of Transportation urged Congress to repeal this exemption. Additionally, research suggests that when truck labor rates are fair, there is less driver fatigue, fewer regulatory violations, and lower crash rates.

That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to repeal the overtime exemption for motor carriers.

I want to thank Senator Markey for coleading this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this bill that will ensure that trucker compensation reflects the fact that these jobs are essential.

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act to permanently increase the pay caps of some of the United States' most hard-working employees, who risk their lives to keep our communities safe and manage the land from severe wildfire.

In every State, we rely on Federal firefighters who spend weeks to months away from their families in dangerous conditions. As fire season turns into a year-round issue, firefighters must be compensated for their overtime work that grows each year.

The Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act would increase the overtime pay caps Federal wildland firefighters and adjust for the new proposed pay scale.

This overtime pay cap increase boost the Federal Agencies' ability to recruit Federal wildland firefighters and avoid firefighters walking off the line midincident or leaving for other opportunities.

As it stands, current United States Code limits wildland firefighters' premium pay and hurts Federal Agencies' ability to recruit and retain firefighters.

Building off the bipartisan infrastructure law, a bipartisan group of Senators and the White House are working to ensure that our wildland firefighters are compensated appropriately for their intense line of work. The ``Wlldfand Firefighter Fair Pay Act'' complements these efforts by ensuring that any pay bump would not be limited by a pay cap.

I would like to thank Senators Steve Daines, Martin Heinrich, Ben Ray Lujan, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, and Jon Tester for joining me in introducing this bill, as well as Representative Zoe Lofgren for championing this bill in the House.

Lastly, we owe these efforts to California's Late Senator Dianne Feinstein, who had written the original bill. We must continue Senator Feinstein's legacy of supporting our firefighters and investing in wildfire mitigation efforts across the country by permanently increasing the premium pay cap.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this necessary legislation to improve pay for Federal firefighters.

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act to permanently increase the pay caps of some of the United States' most hard-working employees, who risk their lives to keep our communities safe and manage the land from severe wildfire.

In every State, we rely on Federal firefighters who spend weeks to months away from their families in dangerous conditions. As fire season turns into a year-round issue, firefighters must be compensated for their overtime work that grows each year.

The Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act would increase the overtime pay caps Federal wildland firefighters and adjust for the new proposed pay scale.

This overtime pay cap increase boost the Federal Agencies' ability to recruit Federal wildland firefighters and avoid firefighters walking off the line midincident or leaving for other opportunities.

As it stands, current United States Code limits wildland firefighters' premium pay and hurts Federal Agencies' ability to recruit and retain firefighters.

Building off the bipartisan infrastructure law, a bipartisan group of Senators and the White House are working to ensure that our wildland firefighters are compensated appropriately for their intense line of work. The ``Wlldfand Firefighter Fair Pay Act'' complements these efforts by ensuring that any pay bump would not be limited by a pay cap.

I would like to thank Senators Steve Daines, Martin Heinrich, Ben Ray Lujan, Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, and Jon Tester for joining me in introducing this bill, as well as Representative Zoe Lofgren for championing this bill in the House.

Lastly, we owe these efforts to California's Late Senator Dianne Feinstein, who had written the original bill. We must continue Senator Feinstein's legacy of supporting our firefighters and investing in wildfire mitigation efforts across the country by permanently increasing the premium pay cap.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this necessary legislation to improve pay for Federal firefighters.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Equal COLA Act, which I reintroduced today.

The Federal Government's workforce is central to protecting our national security and delivering critical services to hundreds of millions of Americans. As such, it is essential that the Federal Government attract and retain an effective workforce and, once their service is complete, ensure retirees receive the dignified retirement that they deserve.

Unfortunately, in 1986, Congress created a two-tiered system that now prevents nearly 800,000 retired Federal employees from receiving a full cost-of-living adjustment when consumer prices increase more than 2 percent from year to year.

In January, some Federal retirees will receive a 3.2-percent COLA. However, other Federal retirees will receive only a 2.2-percent increase due to this policy, which fails to protect retired employees living on a fixed income.

That is why I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to fix this unfair system and ensure that all retired Federal employees receive full retirement benefits that keep up with the cost of living.

I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill to ensure that retired Federal employees no longer pay the price of a misguided law and that their benefits fully keep pace with the cost of living.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Equal COLA Act, which I reintroduced today.

The Federal Government's workforce is central to protecting our national security and delivering critical services to hundreds of millions of Americans. As such, it is essential that the Federal Government attract and retain an effective workforce and, once their service is complete, ensure retirees receive the dignified retirement that they deserve.

Unfortunately, in 1986, Congress created a two-tiered system that now prevents nearly 800,000 retired Federal employees from receiving a full cost-of-living adjustment when consumer prices increase more than 2 percent from year to year.

In January, some Federal retirees will receive a 3.2-percent COLA. However, other Federal retirees will receive only a 2.2-percent increase due to this policy, which fails to protect retired employees living on a fixed income.

That is why I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to fix this unfair system and ensure that all retired Federal employees receive full retirement benefits that keep up with the cost of living.

I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill to ensure that retired Federal employees no longer pay the price of a misguided law and that their benefits fully keep pace with the cost of living.

Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of my former colleague, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, to recognize the dedicated service of her long-time State director, Peter Muller.

Born and raised in San Jose, Peter is a native Californian and has spent his career serving the people of the Golden State. After graduating from St. Mary's College of California, he earned his master's in political science and government from American University.

Peter began his career in Congress in 1992 as a legislative assistant for then-Congressman Norman Mineta, where he served until Congressman Mineta's retirement in 1995. Peter then served as legislative director to Congresswoman Karen McCarthy before joining Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher's office in 1997, first as legislative director and then as her chief of staff. Peter spent 9 years with Congresswoman Tauscher and distinguished himself through his work with the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and his efforts leading the development of the New Democrat Coalition.

After three stints away from Capitol Hill working for California- based Genentech, Intel, and Metrolink and a move to Los Angeles, Peter joined Senator Feinstein's staff in 2016 as her deputy State director. He subsequently served as her State director until her passing last month.

Every member of this Chamber knows the importance of their State director. They serve as our eyes and ears in our State, and they often act as our proxy when a cross-country flight isn't manageable. They lead our State teams with incredible patience and care, ensuring our offices run efficiently and our constituents receive the services they need. And they do it all for the good of the people we were elected to serve.

Peter was by Senator Feinstein's side for good times and bad, through a reelection campaign and Supreme Court confirmations, impeachments and insurrection, and the COVID-19 pandemic. I know that Senator Feinstein valued his counsel on many contentious issues, and he was often the first person she turned to when considering the impact of an issue on her beloved California. He was essential to her lasting efforts to protect California's public lands and water resources, improve our immigration system, secure funding for the West Los Angeles VA campus, and many of her other priorities throughout the State.

And so, on behalf of my former colleague and her team and as a fellow former State staffer for Senator Feinstein, I thank Peter for his years of dedicated service. The people of California are forever indebted to him for the impacts he has made, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the University Centers for Growth, Development, and Prosperity Act, which I reintroduced today.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration created the University Center Program to allow institutions of higher education and consortia to establish and maintain university centers, with the understanding that our higher education institutions play a critical role in our Nation's economic growth.

University centers are Federal partnerships that leverage the assets of higher learning institutions to strengthen regional economic growth by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation. They encourage economic development in economically distressed regions, which

helps spur job growth, high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion.

Despite EDA's important work, many communities across the country have yet to benefit from the Agency's programs, including smaller communities, communities of color, and rural areas experiencing higher rates of poverty.

Despite being one of EDA's most successful economic development initiatives, the current University Center Program is not officially authorized by Congress and is currently administered under EDA's Technical Assistance Program. That is why I am proud to reintroduce legislation that would codify and expand the University Center Program, leverage more resources for minority-serving institutions, and support a greater diversity of innovation and entrepreneurship in their communities.

California has several thriving institutions, including Cal State Chico, Cal State Bakersfield, and University of Southern California, that will be able to scale their impact as a result of these new resources. By prioritizing the establishment of new university centers at colleges and universities that serve significant populations of underserved students, we can further strengthen regional economies and help close the racial wealth gap.

Specifically, the bill establishes an EDA University Center Program to help universities collaborate with economic development districts, trade adjustment assistance centers, and other economic development technical assistance and service providers to develop and implement comprehensive economic development strategies and other economic development planning at the local, regional, and State levels, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.

It also prioritizes the participation of minority-serving institutions as part of the University Center Program. Minority-serving institutions provide incredible opportunities for so many low-income and first-generation students. I am proud that my State of California is home to 174 Hispanic-serving institutions and 51 emerging Hispanic- serving institutions, the highest amount in the country.

As a Senator representing one of the most diverse States in the country, I am eager to work with my colleagues to ensure that we improve the equity of EDA programming and help increase the participation of minority-serving institutions.

As the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works continues to draft an EDA reauthorization bill, I urge them to include this legislation to expand and improve the University Center Program.

I want to thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for introducing this bill with me, and I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this program that benefits almost every State.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the University Centers for Growth, Development, and Prosperity Act, which I reintroduced today.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration created the University Center Program to allow institutions of higher education and consortia to establish and maintain university centers, with the understanding that our higher education institutions play a critical role in our Nation's economic growth.

University centers are Federal partnerships that leverage the assets of higher learning institutions to strengthen regional economic growth by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation. They encourage economic development in economically distressed regions, which

helps spur job growth, high-skilled regional talent pools, and business expansion.

Despite EDA's important work, many communities across the country have yet to benefit from the Agency's programs, including smaller communities, communities of color, and rural areas experiencing higher rates of poverty.

Despite being one of EDA's most successful economic development initiatives, the current University Center Program is not officially authorized by Congress and is currently administered under EDA's Technical Assistance Program. That is why I am proud to reintroduce legislation that would codify and expand the University Center Program, leverage more resources for minority-serving institutions, and support a greater diversity of innovation and entrepreneurship in their communities.

California has several thriving institutions, including Cal State Chico, Cal State Bakersfield, and University of Southern California, that will be able to scale their impact as a result of these new resources. By prioritizing the establishment of new university centers at colleges and universities that serve significant populations of underserved students, we can further strengthen regional economies and help close the racial wealth gap.

Specifically, the bill establishes an EDA University Center Program to help universities collaborate with economic development districts, trade adjustment assistance centers, and other economic development technical assistance and service providers to develop and implement comprehensive economic development strategies and other economic development planning at the local, regional, and State levels, with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.

It also prioritizes the participation of minority-serving institutions as part of the University Center Program. Minority-serving institutions provide incredible opportunities for so many low-income and first-generation students. I am proud that my State of California is home to 174 Hispanic-serving institutions and 51 emerging Hispanic- serving institutions, the highest amount in the country.

As a Senator representing one of the most diverse States in the country, I am eager to work with my colleagues to ensure that we improve the equity of EDA programming and help increase the participation of minority-serving institutions.

As the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works continues to draft an EDA reauthorization bill, I urge them to include this legislation to expand and improve the University Center Program.

I want to thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for introducing this bill with me, and I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this program that benefits almost every State.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Homelessness and Behavioral Health Care Coordination Act of 2023, Which I introduced today.

On any given night in the United States, more than 582,000 people are experiencing homelessness. An estimated 20 percent of those experiencing homelessness also have a behavioral health condition, including substance use disorders. While we know that the primary driver of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing units, we know that these behavioral and substance use disorders and conditions can further exacerbate homelessness.

In order to ensure that those experiencing these conditions can obtain and retain housing, we need to ensure that both housing and social service providers have the resources to work together to increase access to supportive services. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill that would establish a grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services that would award 5-year grants of up to $500,000 to eligible entities to improve their capacity to coordinate culturally competent, trauma-informed behavioral health and homelessness services.

The bill would also create a Federal interagency working group, with representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to advise on how to carry out the program. The working group would also develop materials to facilitate understanding between Agencies offering health services and homelessness services.

I want to thank Representative Madeleine Dean for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key step to addressing the homelessness and behavioral health crises.

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Homelessness and Behavioral Health Care Coordination Act of 2023, Which I introduced today.

On any given night in the United States, more than 582,000 people are experiencing homelessness. An estimated 20 percent of those experiencing homelessness also have a behavioral health condition, including substance use disorders. While we know that the primary driver of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing units, we know that these behavioral and substance use disorders and conditions can further exacerbate homelessness.

In order to ensure that those experiencing these conditions can obtain and retain housing, we need to ensure that both housing and social service providers have the resources to work together to increase access to supportive services. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill that would establish a grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services that would award 5-year grants of up to $500,000 to eligible entities to improve their capacity to coordinate culturally competent, trauma-informed behavioral health and homelessness services.

The bill would also create a Federal interagency working group, with representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to advise on how to carry out the program. The working group would also develop materials to facilitate understanding between Agencies offering health services and homelessness services.

I want to thank Representative Madeleine Dean for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key step to addressing the homelessness and behavioral health crises.

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Ackerson Meadow Land Exchange Act. This legislation will facilitate a simple land exchange between the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in the Sierra Nevadas.

This bill would transfer 160 acres of Stanislaus National Forest land to the National Park Service to be managed as part of Yosemite National Park Service to be managed as part of the Yosemite National Park and transfer 170 acres of National Park land to the Forest Service to manage as part of Stanislaus National Forest. The land in the exchange is known as Ackerson Meadow.

Ackerson Meadow is one of the largest midelevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. It is an ecologically and regionally critical wildlife corridor, and the scenic meadow is an important habitat for the State endangered great grey owl and little willow flycatcher, as well as a suite of additional at-risk wildlife species. In 2016, a coalition of conservation groups donated Ackerson Meadow to Yosemite National Park; however, it is almost completely surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest and only partially contiguous to the rest of Yosemite National Park.

The current configuration of land management presents logistical challenges to both NPS and Forest Service; therefore, both Agencies, as well as local stakeholders, support this land exchange.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this straightforward legislation to better manage the land in and around Ackerson Meadow.

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Shasta Trinity Marina Fees Act to make permanent the existing authority for the U.S. Forest Service to collect and retain marina fees within the Shasta- Trinity National Forest.

The ability to collect these fees has proved critical to the success of the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, and the funds are used to enhance recreation, support public safety and service announcements, improve lake access, and provide greater marina infrastructure for boaters.

In 2008, Congress gave the Forest Service the ability to collect and retain marina fees in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in order to fund the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area; however, that authority expired in 2019, and Congress has granted the Forest Service 1-year reauthorizations since then.

This bipartisan bill would make this authority permanent, providing certainty to the Forest Service and guaranteeing the ability to maintain recreation infrastructure.

Trinity County is one of the poorest counties in the State of California, with declining revenue sources to fund public services and a strained economy. The Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area is the largest driver of tourism activity to the area, and visitors come to the region to enjoy the Shasta and Trinity Lakes.

The ability to collect marina fees has allowed the Forest Service to support 15 permanent and 9 seasonal employees who provide vital support for recreation and has also paid for cleaning and maintenance of infrastructure, fire prevention patrols, and accessible facilities to provide greater access for people with disabilities.

We must provide certainty to ensure that this critical investment in Shasta-Trinity National Forest won't be threatened congressional inaction, government shutdowns, or gamesmanship.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation to provide permanent, crucial investments for one of California's meccas for outdoor recreation.

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Ackerson Meadow Land Exchange Act. This legislation will facilitate a simple land exchange between the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in the Sierra Nevadas.

This bill would transfer 160 acres of Stanislaus National Forest land to the National Park Service to be managed as part of Yosemite National Park Service to be managed as part of the Yosemite National Park and transfer 170 acres of National Park land to the Forest Service to manage as part of Stanislaus National Forest. The land in the exchange is known as Ackerson Meadow.

Ackerson Meadow is one of the largest midelevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. It is an ecologically and regionally critical wildlife corridor, and the scenic meadow is an important habitat for the State endangered great grey owl and little willow flycatcher, as well as a suite of additional at-risk wildlife species. In 2016, a coalition of conservation groups donated Ackerson Meadow to Yosemite National Park; however, it is almost completely surrounded by Stanislaus National Forest and only partially contiguous to the rest of Yosemite National Park.

The current configuration of land management presents logistical challenges to both NPS and Forest Service; therefore, both Agencies, as well as local stakeholders, support this land exchange.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this straightforward legislation to better manage the land in and around Ackerson Meadow.

Madam President, I rise to introduce the Shasta Trinity Marina Fees Act to make permanent the existing authority for the U.S. Forest Service to collect and retain marina fees within the Shasta- Trinity National Forest.

The ability to collect these fees has proved critical to the success of the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, and the funds are used to enhance recreation, support public safety and service announcements, improve lake access, and provide greater marina infrastructure for boaters.

In 2008, Congress gave the Forest Service the ability to collect and retain marina fees in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in order to fund the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area; however, that authority expired in 2019, and Congress has granted the Forest Service 1-year reauthorizations since then.

This bipartisan bill would make this authority permanent, providing certainty to the Forest Service and guaranteeing the ability to maintain recreation infrastructure.

Trinity County is one of the poorest counties in the State of California, with declining revenue sources to fund public services and a strained economy. The Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area is the largest driver of tourism activity to the area, and visitors come to the region to enjoy the Shasta and Trinity Lakes.

The ability to collect marina fees has allowed the Forest Service to support 15 permanent and 9 seasonal employees who provide vital support for recreation and has also paid for cleaning and maintenance of infrastructure, fire prevention patrols, and accessible facilities to provide greater access for people with disabilities.

We must provide certainty to ensure that this critical investment in Shasta-Trinity National Forest won't be threatened congressional inaction, government shutdowns, or gamesmanship.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation to provide permanent, crucial investments for one of California's meccas for outdoor recreation.

Mr. President, before I begin, I also want to acknowledge others who are here in the Chamber to be part of this tribute, part of this moment--the first of many over the coming days and weeks, no doubt.

Senator Schumer acknowledged Speaker Pelosi, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, and Katherine in the Gallery here. We do have a good amount of the California congressional delegation here as well paying their respects--the dean, Representative Lofgren, and so many friends from the north to the south to the east and the west of the Golden State. Up in the Gallery also is Team Feinstein, so many of the staff members who make sure the office is always performing at peak capacity, just the way Dianne insisted. I know that personally, and I will tell you why in a minute.

But I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I say that it is with profound sadness that we bid farewell to my dear friend, colleague, and outright champion for the State of California, Senator Dianne Feinstein.

As we have been hearing today, she was a towering figure. Let me be clear. She was a towering figure not just in modern California history but in the history of our State and our Nation. Yes, she broke barriers throughout her career. You heard about that from Leader Schumer, how many firsts. Her leadership, though, as the city of San Francisco's first female mayor in the aftermath of the tragic assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk showcases her unique ability to lead with grace and strength in the face of adversity. And it wouldn't be her last time.

Following her election to the Senate more than three decades ago, Dianne's commitment to bipartisan collaboration made her a deeply respected figure on both sides of the aisle. So my heart is full to hear the words of Senator Collins and Senator Murkowski and others.

She understood the importance of working together to find common ground and to get things done for California, for the country, and most importantly, for the American people. Her ability to bridge divides and find that consensus, especially on the thorniest of issues, was a testament to her dedication to the principles of our democracy and the many attributes you are hearing about her today. That is the one I have admired most and have worked my damnedest to try to emulate throughout my career and especially here in the Senate.

Now, long before being able to serve together here in the Senate, Dianne gave me one of my first jobs in politics in her Los Angeles office at a time early in my career when I was looking to make a difference for my community and for our State. It is in part thanks to her groundbreaking career that a Latino son of immigrants could one day not just work for her but work alongside her to keep up the fight for the American dream.

As we mourn Senator Feinstein's passing, we must also celebrate her incredible legacy, her contributions to our Nation--from gun safety and environmental conservation to national security and healthcare reform and so much more--just as a reminder not just of the power of her example but the power of public service.

For Californians, so much of our public lands have been preserved thanks to her singular drive and leadership--from the redwoods of the Headwaters and the San Francisco Bay to Lake Tahoe, to the Southern California desert.

We can go on and on, but it is clearly--clearly--a tremendous impact she has had. She leaves behind a legacy of service, of leadership, and a deep love of our country and our democratic ideals. Senators have mentioned her grace, how she worked, how she carried herself--an example for us to follow.

I would be remiss if I didn't say there was an exception to that, and that is if you were one of her staff members who came into a meeting with her unprepared. You did not want to not have the answer to her question.

She was classy, absolutely. We won't get into the debate about the dress code. As Senator Murray said, she was absolutely generous. Now, I did not receive a seersucker suit. I was not here at the time. But for the decades of the relationship that we had, every time I came to Washington, I made it a point to reach out--at a minimum, a call; a lot of times, a quick meeting in her office--and I always came away with something. More often than not, it was a book. She has quite a library, her collection. Once upon a time, it was a Senate tie. There was always something.

I, too, Senator Collins, have a watercolor. It is hanging at home in Los Angeles--my wife's favorite--so I don't have it here to display. What I do have, though, is a photo, as she said, from ``back in the day'' that she sent me just a year ago--periodically going through her files, her archives--a picture from the San Francisco AIDS walk in 1987 but personalized--no autopen here; a personal note from Senator Feinstein.

The last story I will share, which I do think is unique. Another example of her generosity is the day I was sworn in to the Senate in 2021 under the most trying of circumstances: COVID prevaccine; 2 weeks after January 6; 40,000 National Guard women and men on the perimeter of a fenced-off Capitol Complex. She honored me by escorting me down the center aisle to the rostrum and stood behind me as I was sworn in. Big day for me. Tough day not having Angela and my boys by my side.

As soon as the votes were over, the session was over, she grabbed me by the hand and said: Come with me. I am not sorry to say I had interviews lined up. We marched right past reporters to her hideaway.

She immediately wanted to continue the dialogue of, How can I help you? How can I help you? I mustered up a little bit of courage and said: Dianne, I love you, but I want to call my wife. I have just been sworn in to the Senate.

So I called my wife. Angela answers. We immediately started FaceTiming each other. We were by the window so we could make sure the signal doesn't drop. And my boys were there. Dianne says: Give me the phone. I have just been sworn in to the U.S. Senate, and I am watching Senator Feinstein FaceTime with my kids. ``So proud of your dad. When are you coming to Washington? I will buy you lunch.''

That was Dianne Feinstein. May she rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire us all.

I yield the floor.