Floor Statements

Mr. President, recently, my hometown of Warner Robins, GA, and indeed the entire State of Georgia, lost a true leader. I lost a good friend and mentor.

During his career, Matt Arthur made a difference in the lives of countless students and families. He was raised in Fitzgerald, GA, one of six children. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1952 and received a football scholarship to the University of Georgia. In addition to playing football, he served as battalion commander of the university's ROTC unit, and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts. He would also later earn master's degrees in industrial arts and administration and a specialist's degree in education leadership. After graduating college, Matt served in the U.S. Army at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA. He served from 1957-1959, ultimately rising to the rank of first lieutenant.

In 1959, Matt became a high school football coach, winning a Triple-A State championship in 1961. The following year, he moved his family to Warner Robins and embarked on a career that would truly make a difference. He was the first head coach and athletic director of my high school alma mater, Northside High School, and served as its principal from 1968-1980.

In 1980, Matt became superintendent of the Houston County School System. He succeeded my father, David A. Perdue, Sr., in this role and served until retiring in 1988. His enduring contributions to the community were commemorated with the opening of Matt Arthur Elementary School in Warner Robins in 1999.

For years, my father and Matt Arthur were close friends. I was also proud to call Matt a friend. Our family and the entire Middle Georgia community will miss him.

Throughout his life, Matt led by example and always put family first. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 64 years Sarah Bob Arthur, two adult children, five grandchildren, and one great- grandchild.

My wife Bonnie and I join everyone in our hometown and countless others Matt Arthur impacted for the better in lifting up his family during this very difficult time. Matt Arthur was a great American and will be greatly missed.

Mr. President, in November, Georgia tragically lost a true public servant.

Former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harris Hines leaves behind a lasting legacy of service and bipartisan respect.

Chief Justice Hines was born in 1943 and grew up in Atlanta. He attended Grady High School, lettering in multiple sports. After graduation, he attended Emory University, where he attained both a bachelor's degree and his juris doctorate.

Justice Hines went on to serve on the bench in Georgia for over four decades. In 1974, then-Governor Jimmy Carter chose him to fill a slot on the State court of Cobb County. He served there for 8 years until becoming a judge on the Superior Court of Cobb County.

Thirteen years later, in 1995, Governor Zell Miller appointed Justice Hines to an open seat on the Georgia Supreme Court, a capacity in which he served for another 13 years.

In 2016, Justice Hines was voted by his colleagues to be Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. He was the first resident of Cobb County, GA, to become chief justice.

Justice Hines retired from the bench earlier this year. He was known as an intellectual powerhouse, with a deep appreciation and understanding of the rule of law. However, Justice Hines was better known as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Helen, two adult children, and four grandchildren.

Bonnie and I join all Georgians in continuing to lift up the Hines family in our prayers during this very difficult time. Harris was a dear personal friend, and I will miss him greatly.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I have 5 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders.

Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Committee on Armed Services

The Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at 2:30 p.m., to conduct a hearing on Chinese and Russian naval activities.

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.''

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.''

Committee on Finance

The Committee on Finance is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing on the nomination of Courtney Dunbar Jones, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court.

Committee on the Judiciary

The Committee on the Judiciary is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at 10 a.m., to conduct a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 560, S. 1092.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be withdrawn and that the Thune substitute amendment at the desk be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 581, S. 2961.

I ask unanimous consent that the Blunt amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the committee-reported substitute amendment, as amended, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered and made and laid upon the table.

I ask unanimous consent that the Grassley amendment at the desk be agreed to and that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill, as amended.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 695, S. 3482.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 701, H.R. 1872.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5759 which was received from the House.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3996 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 154.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 711 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I further ask that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 719, S. Res. 720, S. Res. 721, S. Res. 722, and S. Res. 723.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.