Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memories of two incredible Nevadans who tragically passed away earlier this year. One is John Squire Drendel, and the other is Tom Rodriguez. These two men were dear friends of mine and fierce advocates for our communities in Nevada, and they will be sorely missed. So I would like to talk a little bit about them to all of you and to those who are listening as well.

John Squire Drendel, whom you see right here--I want to celebrate the life of this good friend, not just to me but to so many throughout Nevada, whose 100th birthday I recognized right here in the Senate, just a few months ago.

John dedicated his life to serving his fellow Nevadans and being a voice for those who had none, and, for 70 years, he shaped Nevada's legal community.

On August 4, 1923, John was born in Carson Valley, NV, a beautiful rural community just south of Carson City. In the midst of the Great Depression, John left home to work on a nearby ranch and complete his studies at Douglas County High School.

During his first semester at the University of Notre Dame, in the fall of 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor altered the trajectory of his life. John served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant and as a commander of a landing craft tank in Pacific Islands.

In 1945, when John was on leave from his Navy training, he came here to Washington, DC, where he met none other than President Harry Truman, as you see right here--you see him on the left--two inspiring men who spent their lives giving back to the community.

And following the end of World War II, John took advantage of the education benefits provided in the GI bill to complete his undergraduate education, and he attended law school at the University of Colorado. After obtaining his law degree, John returned home to Nevada with his wife Marilyn to raise their four children and work as a Nevada highway patrolman.

In 1950, John passed the Nevada bar exam and later partnered with William

O. Bradley to form Bradley & Drendel, a premier personal injury firm in Northern Nevada. And, in 1957, in order to make their services more accessible to their clients, the two selected a converted garage in Reno, NV, to serve as their firm's office.

Now, by 1970, John had solidified his reputation by representing a diesel mechanic from Ely, NV, who suffered from a debilitating injury while at work. John won the highest verdict awarded to a single plaintiff in the United States at that point in time, providing financial security for the mechanic and his family. And, today, his firm--that firm, Bradley & Drendel--continues to serve our community in Northern Nevada, and, currently, John's son Thomas is of counsel to the firm.

Now, you have to know that John was deeply respected by so many in Nevada--by his peers in Nevada's legal community, as a founding member and former president of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and the Washoe County Bar Association. John was honored with countless accolades throughout the duration of his career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, in the year 2001.

John strived for excellence throughout his career. His professional accomplishments are surpassed only by the wonderful family and community that he built in the Silver State.

He is survived by his children, Mary, John, and Thomas; their grandchildren, Sarah, Andrew, Anne, Clara, Nathaniel, Mary, and Matthew; and their four great-grandchildren.

I am honored to recognize his incredible life on the Senate floor today. He was a dear friend and an incredible advocate for so many in Nevada, and I know not only will I, but many will miss him. And I am honored to be able to recognize him today with all of you.

Madam President, I am thrilled to be joining Senators Markey, Hirono, Duckworth, and all of my colleagues today in support of the Right to Contraception Act.

This month marks the second anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which upended a woman's right to choose and paved the way for former President Trump and anti-choice politicians to further erode women's rights in this country.

We knew these anti-choice Republicans wouldn't stop attacking reproductive rights after Roe fell. We knew they would keep trying to diminish our freedom to make decisions about our own bodies, including the right to attain and use birth control.

You don't have to take my word for it. Look at what is happening in States across the country, as you heard from my colleagues. Even though the right to birth control has strong bipartisan support, anti-choice lawmakers are passing bills left and right to chip away at access to contraception.

And listen to the leader of the Republican Party. Just 2 weeks ago, former President Trump said he was open to restricting women's right to contraception if he wins another term. For the anti-choice right, this is about controlling women.

On the other hand, my fellow pro-choice colleagues and I believe in reproductive freedom. We are working every day to protect access to birth control and other basic forms of women's healthcare, and we are making real progress here.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved Opill, the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill. Once it was approved, Senators Murray, Hirono, and I, along with others, pushed the manufacturers to make sure that Opill is widely accessible without a prescription. It is now available online and in stores across the country.

We are not alone in this fight. The Biden-Harris administration has worked hard to expand access to contraception and make it more affordable for American women. We have made important progress, and we have seen that the anti-choice movement won't stop coming after our reproductive rights. That is why we have to pass the Right to Contraception Act and protect access to birth control in every State across our country.

We know that, despite dishonest efforts from anti-choice politicians to label it as dangerous, birth control is an essential part of healthcare. And for me, contraception was about my healthcare, as it is for millions of women in America.

I will tell you what, to my female colleagues here, if a man were able to give birth, we would have universal healthcare by now. But we don't because they don't feel it; they don't see it. So they disregard it, and they disregard the impact to women and the essential care that we need when it comes to our bodily health.

That is why this legislation is so important. It would protect the fundamental right to access essential healthcare. It would empower women in Nevada and across the country to make decisions about their own lives on their own terms. And it would make it clear to anti-choice candidates, like Donald Trump and his anti-choice followers, that messing with the right to contraception is not on the table.

My colleagues here and I will never stop fighting to reinstate the rights anti-choice politicians have stripped away from millions of women, and we will fiercely--fiercely--defend the rights women still have, including access to birth control. That is why we are here today.

I get asked quite often: What are you doing about it?

This is it. There is a role for Congress to play, and we are doing it. But there is a role for everyone who cares about this issue--no matter your station in life--to do something about it, to advocate, to be a part of a solution or policy change in your State or in your local community. There is a role for everybody and a responsibility. This is about women's rights. This is about women's freedoms in this country, and that is worth fighting for.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I am here today to honor the life of Kurt Englehart, my senior adviser, a beloved Nevadan, friend, and family member who touched so many lives.

We lost Kurt very suddenly in April, and his loss is felt deeply by everyone in our office, some of whom are in the Galleries today, in the communities he impacted, and individuals he met throughout the State of Nevada, including--and I so appreciate my colleague Senator Rosen being here and her staff as well. You could tell how beloved he was by the sheer volume of people who came to his funeral in Reno. Last month, there were Tribal leaders, law enforcement, farmers, ranchers, labor leaders, former coworkers, and Senate staffers, childhood friends and Nevadans from across the State who showed up to pay their respects.

Kurt touched so many lives, and he was able to make even strangers feel as though he was a close friend. Here is a picture of him, a photo of him, right here. There was always a smile on his face.

For the past 8 years, Kurt was an essential part of my team. He liked to call it Team CCM, not only because of his intimate knowledge of every community in northern Nevada, but because he had this contagious warmth that drew everyone in. You couldn't dislike Kurt if you tried. He had this way of attacking life that brought so much positivity and joy to both my campaign and my Senate offices.

I got to personally experience Kurt's zest for life on our many tours around rural Nevada. Every August, I travel through the rural counties in my State, and every August, Kurt was with me. That was when I got to know him the best. On the road, in the middle of the desert, I learned so much about Kurt's passions--about what inspired him to be so active in the community to the things that he enjoyed doing when he wasn't at the office.

One of the favorite things to talk about for Kurt was his deep enthusiasm for video games. Kurt loved his gaming community, and they all loved him. One of his friends who played World of Warcraft with him reminisced about how Kurt, in the game, played a healer, which meant he took care of the other players.

His friend said:

I would later learn that this was how he was in the real

world.

And that is exactly true. That is exactly how Kurt was in the real world, always making people feel at ease and extending a helping hand to those who needed it.

In my Senate office, Kurt was a casework champion, addressing constituents' needs head on and working closely with Nevadans whose issues required special care and attention. Throughout his time in my office, Kurt worked on 638 cases. He was known by the Nevadans he worked with as a fierce advocate who knew how to get the job done for them.

One casework story Kurt was particularly proud of--and I was as well--happened in 2019. Kurt reached out to a veteran named John, who was considering ending his own life because he couldn't afford his medical bills. John had been kicked off his insurance the day he experienced a massive health issue, leaving him with hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay out-of-pocket. Kurt found out about this when he talked with John. He worked with John's insurance company to make sure that they retroactively paid every penny of John's bill. Kurt actually saved John's life, and he was lucky to have Kurt as an advocate for him.

That is just one example of Kurt's dedication to helping Nevadans in need. Whether he was working with the IRS to get people their tax refunds, advocating for the protection of sacred Tribal monuments, or resolving health benefit issues, Kurt gave each individual case his all. The Nevadans Kurt helped described him as going above and beyond to find solutions.

Kurt made people feel heard, taking on the issues of complete strangers as if they were his own. And after the fact, he followed up with them to make sure they had everything they needed because that is who Kurt was. Public service came so naturally to him. He believed in the power of good government; that our democracy is truly for the people; that our work here in the Senate can change people's lives for the better, even if it is one person at a time.

Kurt's determination to do the most good for the people of Nevada made him a giant all across the State and especially in our rural communities. Everyone from Reno to Elko, to our Tribal communities either knew Kurt personally or they knew of him. He drove from county to county talking with families, businessowners, farmers, ranchers, miners, Tribal leaders, and law enforcement about how our office could work with them and deliver for them. Democrats, Republicans, Independents--it did not matter--they all trusted Kurt to do the right thing by them, and he always did.

Kurt was originally from Ohio, but he advocated for Nevadans so well that he truly became a Nevadan. He was the type of down-to-earth guy who could win over even those who staunchly disagreed with him. He showed up to every meeting fully prepared and well-informed, no matter the topic, and he was ready to have a productive conversation with anyone.

And once Kurt made those connections, he maintained them. He got to know people on a deeper level and kept them in mind for future events he knew would interest them because he cared.

He was so loved by his colleagues in all of our offices. My staff have described him as someone who ``charted his own path'' and ``always found a way.'' He was known for being a straight shooter whom everyone could depend upon to tell them exactly what he was thinking, even if it meant--and sometimes it did from Kurt--hearing the hard truth.

When the work got intense--as it often does in Senate offices--Kurt would help his coworkers find the levity, even if he was just as frustrated as everyone else.

If you knew anything about Kurt, you knew he loved his family above all else. His pride and joy was his son Ender. They shared a special bond in so many ways, particularly one, because like his father, Ender is a master video gamer as well as being an outstanding young man.

Kurt cherished his family, and he talked about them endlessly: his mother Luann; his brother Matt; his girlfriend Siya; and Ender's mother Shaila. And he talked about Ender.

I got a chance to know Ender growing from a young boy to a young teen. And I will tell you, Kurt's proudest moments were with his son, always wanting him to have every opportunity to take chances but not to be afraid to lean in and take those risks. The good, the bad, all of the above, his main goal was to ensure that his son Ender had every opportunity in life.

Our office mourns this devastating loss, but we know Kurt will always be with us.

This is actually Kurt on one of our coal trains in Ely, NV. It is one of the many examples of how Kurt spent his time getting around Nevada and talking to everyone who lived there. He lives on in the stories of the countless Nevadans he helped, and he lives on in the actions of those he inspired with his unwavering passion. And he lives on in the hearts of those of us who knew him the best. He will be dearly missed.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, today I rise to recognize the anniversary of a critical victim service provider in southern Nevada, Signs of HOPE. For 50 years, Signs of HOPE has provided essential resources and support to survivors of sexual exploitation and violence throughout the region.

In 1974, Signs of HOPE was founded in Las Vegas under the name of Community Action Against Rape by Florence McClure and Sandra Petta. Ms. McClure originally operated the nonprofit out of her home with the goal of helping individuals impacted by sexual violence and trafficking to recover and heal. With this guiding purpose, Signs of HOPE has remained committed to ending sexual violence in the Las Vegas Valley for the last five decades.

Signs of HOPE provides survivors and their loved ones with long-term advocates who assist them in managing and navigating every step of their recovery. The advocates also support victims with holistic, professional counseling resources.

The organization also has made strides to eradicate human trafficking with their Resources and Integration for Survivor Empowerment-- R.I.S.E.--program. The R.I.S.E. program delivers crucial victim- centered services including assistance obtaining medical care, counseling, court accompaniment, relocation and safety planning, job training, coordination with law enforcement and legal assistance, and much more.

Outside of their victim services, Signs of HOPE offers training and awareness programs to educate and empower the community to end sexual violence. Their work focuses on changing the behaviors and stigmas associated with sexual violence and trafficking throughout Clark County.

Recently, under the leadership of CEO Kimberly Small, Signs of HOPE has partnered with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to assist victims when Las Vegas hosted the Super Bowl and the Formula 1 Grand Prix. With their 24/7 crisis hotlines and the R.I.S.E. program, Signs of HOPE identified human trafficking victims and is continuing to provide them with intensive services.

The staff, volunteers, and partners of Signs of HOPE have worked tirelessly to serve southern Nevada. Without their dedication, many survivors would go unheard and unaided. I am proud of the work that Signs of HOPE has done for the past 50 years, and I look forward to their continued efforts and service for generations to come/ survivors.

Madam President, first of all, I want to start off by thanking my colleague Senator Duckworth for not only sharing her story of her wonderful family and beautiful two daughters--I have seen myself what an incredible mother they have, and they are fantastic girls. I also have to thank her for bringing forward this important legislation.

Women across the country use IVF to start their own families. You are hearing that not only from Senator Duckworth. I have heard it from so many people in Nevada and really across the country. They make that choice in consultation with their partners, their families, and their doctors, not a government official--not a government official.

There is no logical reason to deny women that right, and yet, after Roe v. Wade fell, we could see from a mile away that IVF was in danger. Senator Duckworth was one of the first to come forward in recognizing that, and that is why her legislation is so important. Why? Because attacking IVF was yet another chance for anti-choice Republicans to erode women's rights in this country.

They have introduced a Federal abortion ban that would supersede State laws. They have stacked the courts with anti-choice judges. They have limited funding to women's healthcare,

and they have repeatedly ignored the very science behind reproductive healthcare in order to push their agenda.

We knew this was coming. In fact, we tried to do something about it a year ago. After Roe was overturned, not only did Senator Duckworth come to the floor with her legislation, but we have introduced numerous legislation on this floor to protect women's rights. And every single time, unfortunately, one of our Republican colleagues comes forward to object, without any explanation, but continuing to really erode women's rights in this country.

And I have to say, these extreme GOP colleagues of ours claim to be pro-life. They claim to champion family planning. But, really, when it comes down to it, they don't support it. You just have to be in our communities and listen to the women and their families, and you understand that.

The difference this time around is that the Alabama Supreme Court is actually calling their bluff. The threat to IVF is no longer this hypothetical. In response to the ruling--and I believe it is an extreme ruling from this judge. But in response to this ruling, clinics--some clinics in Alabama--have halted IVF procedures. They have halted them.

I have seen heartbreaking stories of Alabama families who are being forced to put their dreams of starting a family on hold, and I am here to tell you: It will not stop with Alabama. The consequences of this ruling are that not only will it close some of those clinics in Alabama that we have heard about, but it will have a chilling impact nationally.

It is one thing to have the legislation that bans it outright, but the chilling impact is another barrier. And you don't have to be from a State like Nevada. It is a pro-choice State. Listen, if you are threatening women, if you are threatening their families, if you are threatening doctors who want to help these women, that has a chilling effect even in Nevada--even in Nevada.

These extreme GOP politicians are seeing this, quite frankly, and I am watching them, and they are suddenly stuck. They have to decide whether to agree with this judge's anti-choice decision or to concede that women should be allowed this basic right to choose if, when, and how to become a parent. Suddenly, they have to decide just how far they are willing to go in their crusade to control women.

Having a child through IVF is a wonderful thing. It is not a crime, and it should not be punished. Our anti-choice Republican colleagues, they know this. Yet they have once again refused to do the right thing for American families by supporting protections for accessing IVF.

And let me just finally say that their hypocrisy is on full display, and America is watching. You don't have to believe me. Just listen to the American public. Across this country, a majority--a majority--and I don't care if it is women I hear from. It is their loved ones. It is men. I don't care what party you are. I don't care if you are Democrat, Republican, nonpartisan. A majority of Americans want women to have this right to choose. They want them to have this ability. They believe in having families. They believe in IVF. They believe in women's reproductive rights.

And, most importantly, what some of our Republican colleagues are doing is inhibiting and limiting women's access to 21st century healthcare. That is what this is about. Why should we deny women the right to access 21st century healthcare if it is going to save their lives, if it is going to help them have families? What is wrong with that at the end of the day?

So I have to thank Senator Duckworth. And it is unfortunate that we had an objection to her legislation that is so needed, unfortunately, in this day and age, but it is. That is where we are today: fighting for women's rights, fighting across this country.

And, finally, my only other question to my colleagues is: I trust women to make this decision. Why don't they?

I yield the floor.

Madam President, reserving my right to object, MAGA Republicans had their chance to work in a bipartisan fashion, and rightwing extremists in the GOP said no. I object.

Reserving my right to object, Republicans had a chance to work in a bipartisan fashion, and rightwing extremists in the GOP said no. I object.

Reserving my right to object.

Republicans had a chance to work in a bipartisan fashion, and rightwing extremists in the GOP said no. I object.

Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the life of Harvey James Munford, an exemplary Nevadan that served his State as an educator and coach for 36 years and as an elected State assemblyman for over a decade. Mr. Munford peacefully passed away at the age of 83 on October 26, 2023, at his Las Vegas, NV, home.

Mr. Munford led a remarkable life with many professional and personal achievements. As the first African American to attend Montana State University Billings, Mr. Munford showed exceptional courage while paving the way for other African Americans to follow in his footsteps. Mr. Munford attended college on a basketball scholarship, but he never neglected his studies and earned a bachelor's degree in biology and physical education. He went on to earn a master's degree in political science and guidance and counseling, also at MSU Billings. In 1994, Mr. Munford was honored with an induction into the MSU Billings Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mr. Munford's athletic talent extended far beyond college, as he played professional basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers and was drafted for professional football by the Los Angeles Rams. However, Mr. Munford's passion for education caused him to relocate to Las Vegas, where he served as an educator for the Clark County School District, College of Southern Nevada, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During his decades-long career in the Clark County School District, Mr. Munford had the opportunity to accompany over 200 students to Washington, DC, to explore the Nation's Capital and experience firsthand how the Federal Government works.

After officially retiring as an educator, Mr. Munford became a public servant and was an elected State assemblyman for Clark County District 6, where he served from 2004 to 2016. During his time as a legislator, Mr. Munford was a passionate civil rights and education advocate. He helped pass numerous bills, including multicultural education and the passage of Juneteenth as an official holiday in the State of Nevada. It is evident Mr. Munford's work in the State assembly was guided by his desire to have a positive lasting impact on the lives of all Nevadans.

Beyond Mr. Munford's extensive professional achievements, he was a dedicated family man. Mr. Munford was married to his wife Viviana for 29 years and had five children and stepchildren, in addition to 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. Munford was also a talented organist and equine trainer, and he enjoyed watching old Western movies, historical documentaries, and sports.

Mr. Munford was a husband, father, grandfather, educator, civil servant, civil rights activist, athlete, and Nevadan. Mr. Munford left a positive lasting impact on the lives of many Nevadans, and I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Mr. Munford for his significant impact in the State. I celebrate Mr. Munford's legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and the important place this institution occupies in our great State. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada serves the northern Nevada region through a network of over 150 organizations dedicated to helping families in need. In their 40 years, they have grown from a small pantry serving their community, to a large regional leader in the fight against food insecurity. In 2022, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provided over 19 million meals.

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is a proud member of the Feeding America network, which includes more than 200 food banks nationwide. Their collaborative and innovative solutions to addressing food insecurity in northern Nevada are vital to the health of communities across our State. The Food Bank delivers tens of millions of nutritious meals to families annually. Every month, they serve over 140,000

people through their support of an extensive network of community pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and specialized programs for children and seniors. As we see record-setting numbers of families in need of food assistance, the Food Bank continues to play a vital role in serving our great State.

Food insecurity affects our entire community. Food insecure children can struggle to achieve their potential in school, and seniors are too often faced with having to choose between medical care and putting food on the table. Among the Food Bank of Northern Nevada's clients, 58 percent are over age 50, and another 37 percent are under age 18. We recognize the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for continuing to innovate with their prescription pantry program, connecting families with Federal nutrition programs like SNAP and bringing healthy fruits and vegetables to families and seniors in the neighborhoods where they live. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada could not tackle the important task of working to end hunger without the support of countless Nevadans. Volunteers are at the heart of the organization from those who donate and sort food at the distribution center, to the many businesses and individuals whose donations ensure there is always food available to those who need it.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for 40 years of tireless commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of our community and helping working families live healthy lives. I know the Food Bank of Northern Nevada will continue to advocate for families and deliver nutritious food to many throughout northern Nevada.

Madam President, I rise today, along with my colleagues, because, as the President pro tempore has heard, we have a childcare crisis in this country. Families can't afford it; employers don't have the funds to subsidize it; and providers can't pay their workers. In my home State of Nevada, it can cost more to send your kids to childcare than it does to send them to college. It is just outrageous, and we have to do something about it.

One of the many consequences of this crisis is that some parents who can't afford childcare have to stay home with their kids instead of reentering the workforce. I hear this all the time in Nevada. Nearly 39 percent of women with children younger than 5 years old have quit their jobs in the last 3 years. Over 90 percent of those women willingly decided to leave their jobs and stop earning an income, not because they were laid off or had their hours cut back but because they needed to stay home with their children because they lacked the resources for childcare in this country to afford it. It is hurting our families. It is hurting our children and our economy, quite frankly. We must expand access to childcare now.

We took steps to lower childcare costs for families when we passed the American Rescue Plan. That funding has made a difference for families across the country. In Nevada, that means families of four that make up to $70,000 a year are getting help covering their childcare costs. It means all copays for childcare programs have been waived. It means that thousands of families across my State have been able to breathe easier knowing that they won't have to choose between groceries and their kids' tuitions.

A perfect example is Christine McNally, who lives in Northern Nevada, in Reno. She works with these families every day at her two childcare centers in Northern Nevada. She told me about a single mom she works with who has three kids. Now, before the American Rescue Plan passed that lowered childcare costs, this mother was paying $120 per week in copays. That is $120 per week. Not having to cover the cost of these copays anymore has been huge for her and her family. It has helped alleviate so much financial pressure. Now she can pay her electric bills without having to worry about covering other costs, including childcare.

The problem is, as we have heard from our colleagues, this legislation expired this year, and, unfortunately, we don't have all of our colleagues who want to continue to support this. What I am hearing from some really far-right Republicans is a refusal to work with us to extend this program, and that is going to be devastating for so many families across the country, including in Nevada, including Christine's families whom she works with.

Thousands of them are going to see skyrocketing costs next year. Parents who have no one else to look after their children will face impossible choices, and many will choose to leave the workforce so that they can care for their kids themselves. Providers won't be able to continue to pay their staffs, forcing many to look for employment elsewhere, and childcare programs across the country will shut down. Families will have to stay on longer waiting lists for even more time to access the remaining programs. We just cannot let that happen.

Childcare is critical for our families. This isn't a partisan issue; this is about helping working families across the country. This is what they want. This is what I hear in my State. This is what I hear across the country. We

have to pass the Child Care Stabilization Act now to protect it and to protect our families.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Pete Goicoechea for a lifetime of service to Nevada and to congratulate him on his induction into the Nevada Cattlemen's Association Hall of Honor.

Pete may have been born in Salt Lake City, UT, but he came into his own in Nevada--Eureka to be specific. After attending school in White Pine County and graduating from Eureka High School, he returned to Utah to get a degree from Utah State University and married his wife Gladys ``Glady'' Goicoechea in 1972. Pete's service to Nevada spans the better part of four decades, but before his public life, Pete's primary commitment was to take care of his family and their ranch in Diamond Valley. The family still owns the ranch--Pete runs it with his son, J.J.--and his children and grandchildren are still the center of Pete's life.

Pete was a leader in Eureka from the beginning as a volunteer firefighter and director of the Eureka County High School Rodeo Club. In 1987, he ran for Eureka County Commissioner, a seat he won and held for 16 years, serving 14 years as chairman. In 2002, he was encouraged to run for the Nevada Legislature and won a seat in the State assembly, where he would serve for 12 years. He moved on to the Nevada State Senate, and when his current term ends, he will term out after serving for 24 years in the Nevada State Legislature.

During his time as a State legislator, Pete was a powerful voice for rural Nevada and the unique needs of the communities and constituents he served. He has always employed a collaborative approach, working with people from all corners of the State and all walks of life towards common goals. Pete has remained committed to working across the aisle for the benefit of Nevadans.

Pete filled many roles during his time in the State legislature, including that of chair of the senate committee on government affairs, member of the cowboy caucus, and of the senate committee on finance and governance. He was perhaps most well-known as a long-serving member of the natural resources committee and the public lands committee in every session that he served, utilizing his expertise and experience as a rancher. He has been a strong advocate for the agriculture and mining industries that are the lifeblood of Nevada's rural economies. His tireless dedication to working with his colleagues to address these issues has been lauded by all who have been fortunate enough to work with him.

Congratulations to Pete Goicoechea on a lifetime of achievement and service. Nevadans across the State owe you their gratitude.

Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School and the important place this school occupies in our great State's history. The Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School exists because parents wanted to provide their children with the best education possible and help them take pride in their heritage. The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe came together in 1973 to create their own school, founded on the principle of self-determination, to better oversee their children's instruction, and preserve their culture. And the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School has continued that legacy ever since.

The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe is located in the Railroad Valley of central Nevada near the Big Warm Spring, one of the largest geothermal hot springs in the State. Taking their children's education into their own hands, the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe formed an education committee, which became the Duckwater Shoshone School Board, on July 26, 1973. The parents and community of the Duckwater Shoshone were committed to their children receiving every opportunity, no matter who they were or where they lived and worked hard to establish their own school. This commitment is reflected in a statement hanging on the main hallway of the school: ``The mission of the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School is to provide a learning environment that promotes individual student success and develops lifelong learners.''

On November 26, 1973, the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School opened its doors. The school remains a centerpiece of the Tribe's efforts to support its families and stands as a testament to the value the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe places on supporting future generations. On the wall of the school, there hangs an accounting of the school's formation written in longhand by former Duckwater chairman Paul Walker, and it reads in part: ``What is hard to convey is the determination and work of a whole rural Indian Community to see that their children receive a better education than they obtained and to witness a general betterment of our people.''

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Duckwater Shoshone Elementary School for 50 years of service to the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe and surrounding communities and the important role the school plays in educating children and preserving traditions.

Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Cookie Bible, an extraordinary Nevadan who touched the lives of countless women and families in her adopted State. She passed peacefully in Reno, NV, on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the age of 77.

LaVerne Jo ``Cookie'' McManus was born in San Francisco; on July 30, 1945, and grew up under her grandmother's care to become widely known as a strong advocate for women's health. Cookie was a fourth-generation San Franciscan; however, she was proud to be a ``true blue'' Nevadan. She fell in love with the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe where she met and married into the family of U.S. Senator Alan Bible and was a resident of Zephyr Cove ever since. Her neighbors affectionately called her ``Mayor of the Cove.''

Following graduation from Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor of science in nursing in 1971, Cookie became a certified Nurses Association of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Nurse Practitioner in OB/GYN in 1980. She rose to State and national prominence, serving on the Nevada Board of Nursing, as well as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in leadership positions.

In 2003, she received the Exceptional Leadership Award from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, where she chaired the nurse practice, education, and regulatory and nominating committees.

Cookie was the lead nurse practitioner with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte region for nearly 20 years. She served as an adjunct faculty member for Orvis School of Nursing and held contracts with both the State of Nevada and Washoe County Health Department. She was in private women's healthcare practice from 2004-2017. She was also a founding member of Douglas County Council for Abused Women and the Nevada Women's Fund.

In addition, Cookie dedicated much of her life to Girl Scouts--12 years as a girl and 56 years as a Girl Scout adult. She was a past president of the Sierra Nevada region of Girl Scouts of America. She continued to buy cartons of Girl Scout cookies to share with charities and dinner guests.

Seeing patients from ages 14 to 80-plus years old was her professional passion, in addition to teaching and training at the University of Nevada, Reno, and Truckee Meadows Community College and lecturing before various groups. With a second home in Boulder City, Cookie was a dedicated women's care provider for Volunteers in Medicine in southern Nevada.

Cookie was a member of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church for more than 30 years, serving in leadership positions, as well as greeting guests and parishioners in the historic lakeside church on the grounds of Camp Galilee at Glenbrook, Lake Tahoe.

A world traveler, Cookie enjoyed great adventures from China to Italy to the Galapagos Islands. But she loved Nevada best. She was happiest hiking on trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with her dog Zephyr, spending time on the beach, and gathering her family and friends for barbecues in her backyard.

At every opportunity, Cookie demonstrated her strong commitment to the women of Nevada. I know that her work, advocacy, and dedication to women's health will not be forgotten. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Cookie for her significant impact in Nevada. I celebrate Cookie's legacy, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Arlan D. Melendez, Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. Arlan Melendez, who has been Chair of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony for over 30 years--one of the longest-serving Tribal Chairs in the country--is no stranger to public service. He has spent his life devoted to causes bigger than himself. His service to his country, his State, and his people deserves to be recognized. I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Chairman Melendez in advancing Tribal priorities, and his leadership and partnership will be missed.

Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Chairman Melendez began his career of service in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. After serving his country, Chairman Melendez took up leadership positions within his Tribal community. First elected to the Tribal Council in 1987, Melendez served as treasurer and vice-chairman before being elected Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in 1991. Under Chairman Melendez's leadership, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has partnered with the State of Nevada, Washoe County, the cities of Reno and Sparks, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to expand the Colony's total land base to over 2,000 acres. In his over 30 years as Tribal Chairman, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has thrived and proven to be an economic force in Northern Nevada. Additionally, Chairman Melendez has served on the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, including as president, helping to support the 28 Tribal communities in Nevada.

Chairman Melendez's work has spread far beyond the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Nevada. In 2005, he was appointed to a 6-year term on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights by then-Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. There, he worked to further the Commission's mission to champion the development of national civil rights policy and enhance enforcement of Federal civil rights laws. Chairman Melendez has also been active in the National Congress of American Indians--NCAI--an organization dedicated to serving the broad interests of Tribal governments and communities across this country. At NCAI, he served as the western region vice president and chaired the taxation subcommittee. Chairman Melendez has distinguished himself as a member of the Leadership Council for the Center for Indian County Development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, where he contributes to strategies for building stronger Indian Country economies. Chairman Melendez also served on the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tribal Advisory Committee advocating for better access to healthcare for Tribal communities and played an important role supporting Indian Country through the pandemic. Additionally, the Chairman has received awards for his lifetime of achievements from the Native American Finance Officers Association and the National Indian Health Service.

As Chairman Melendez retires, it is important that we call attention to his distinguished career of public service. The communities that he touched in Nevada and around the country are better for his leadership, hard work, and dedication.

Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the incredible talent and achievements of Las Vegas High School's Mariachi Joya. One of the top ensembles in one of the largest mariachi programs in the United States, Mariachi Joya brings music, joy, community, and culture to southern Nevada. I am proud to host them in our Nation's Capital in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Launching in 2018, Mariachi Joya is one of the newest mariachi programs in Clark County, but that hasn't prevented these talented students from becoming a premier ensemble. Over 250 students at Las Vegas High School participate in the school's mariachi program, and many audition for Mariachi Joya, which takes 20 young artists each year. These students, playing the guitarron, violins, and trumpets, have quickly made Mariachi Joya the top ensemble group representing the school.

Mariachi Joya's skyrocketing fame has taken them around Las Vegas and throughout the country. The students perform locally at homecoming assemblies, sports games, Mexican Independence Day celebrations, and even at national conferences in Las Vegas. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 2021, Mariachi Joya came to Washington, DC, to perform for the Mexican Embassy. The group made their State proud when they performed virtually at President Joe Biden's 2021 inauguration.

Despite not being able to meet in-person during the pandemic, Mariachi Joya continued to rehearse and perform together. They recorded and produced an album virtually, ``Joya,'' which has nine tracks, including one original song.

Director Stephen Blanco leads Mariachi Joya and is wholeheartedly dedicated to his students. Mr. Blanco moved from Michigan to Nevada in order to start Las Vegas High School's mariachi program. He has developed an incredible program and was a semifinalist for the 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award.

Mariachi Joya highlights the vibrant Latino history and culture in southern Nevada. It brings the Latino community together as it spreads the beauty of its music. Most importantly, it has an impact on the students who participate. It is giving kids a support system, turning them into model students, and it boasts an impressive 100 percent graduation rate. I am so honored to recognize this incredible program, its brilliant students, and its contributions to the Latino community. I look forward to seeing Mariachi Joya continue to grow and thrive in the years to come.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be able to display this poster on the floor.