Floor Statements

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each year I recognize

and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho as part of the Support Local Gems All Season Long initiative. Today, I am pleased to honor Anderson Reserve as one of Idaho's Local Gems.

Anderson Reserve, a fine dining restaurant, butcher shop, and cigar lounge, is nestled in the shadow of Squaw Butte and is one of Idaho's only restaurants featuring a helicopter pad. Inspired by his grandfather's career in meatpacking, owner Paul Anderson and his family have created an unique destination for locals and visitors to enjoy high-quality food and entertainment.

Today, Anderson Reserve's USDA-certified butcher shop ships thousands of pounds of prime-grade beef nationwide. However, it is not just a butcher shop. The store includes an elegant dining room, a weekend restaurant, and a gift shop. The restaurant menu features beef, seafood, and game, along with carefully selected wines and beers. The cigar lounge, known as the Cigar Silo, can be found within five granary silos and features a number of unique whiskies and liqueurs and an elaborate selection of cigars.

Congratulations to the Andersons and all of the Anderson Reserve employees on their selection as a Local Gem. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each year I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho as part of the Support Local Gems All Season Long initiative. Today, I am pleased to honor Bullets 'N Brew as one of Idaho's Local Gems.

Founded in 2017 by Gary Mode, Bullets 'N Brew is a uniquely Idaho venture that combines the best of two worlds: a full-service coffee shop and a one-stop destination for firearms and ammunition. Located in Hagerman, the business was born out of the Mode family's desire to meet the diverse needs of their small town. Bullets 'N Brew is the only local store that sells guns and ammo, proudly carrying over 35 brands of firearms and optics at competitive prices, making it a favorite of local sportsmen. The store boasts a full-service espresso bar, fresh pastries, and breakfast items, making it a welcoming spot for early risers and afternoon visitors.

Bullets 'N Brew offers a range of beautifully crafted, locally made goods. Customers can find everything from home decor to raw honey, local milk, essential oils, and more, ensuring a visit is always filled with delightful discoveries. Visitors to Hagerman leave with lasting memories of the shops' welcoming atmosphere.

Congratulations to the Modes and all of the Bullets 'N Brew employees on their selection as a Local Gem. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each year I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho as part of the Support Local Gems All Season Long initiative. Today, I am pleased to honor Clark's Diamond Jewelry as one of Idaho's Local Gems.

Clark's Diamond Jewelry, located on Sherman Avenue in the heart of Coeur d'Alene, is a family-owned business with roots dating back to 1907. Under Dan Clark, who took over the store from his parents in 1986, Clark's Diamond Jewelry has become north Idaho's premier destination for fine jewelry. Dan's journey as a jeweler began by learning the trade from his father Ralph. With hands-on training at the bench and a formal education from the Gemological Institute of America, Dan combined tradition and expertise to build his business. The family legacy continues under Dan's daughter Jane, who now owns and operates the business.

Clark's Diamond Jewelry, which remains in its original 1907 building, is a living piece of Coeur d'Alene's history. For more than a century, it has watched Coeur d'Alene transform from a timber town to an international tourist destination. Dan and Jane's passion for their hometown and family legacy shines through in every facet of the business. Their commitment to community and tradition has made Clark's Diamond Jewelry an irreplaceable part of Coeur d'Alene.

Congratulations to the Clarks and all of the Clark's Diamond Jewelry employees on their selection as a Local Gem. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each year I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho as part of the Support Local Gems All Season Long initiative. Today, I am pleased to honor Denny's Wrecker Service as a Local Gem.

Denny's Wrecker Service was founded by Denny and Shirley Jones in 1962 in Pocatello. Denny owned and operated one truck and a fuel station for years, where attendants greeted customers at their cars, put fuel in their tanks, and even washed their windshields. His entrepreneurial drive led him to expand into the towing space. Denny's now has a fleet of trucks and specialty trailers for hauling equipment, buses, motor homes, and more and was inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame in 2000. Denny was motivated by an understanding that it is never a good day if someone needs a tow truck, but that he could help make a bad situation better. A family-owned and operated business, Denny's daughters Stephanie and DeAnn played a crucial role in building the thriving business and took over after Denny passed away in 2002.

Since the late 1980s, Denny's has offered the Towing Operators Working to Eliminate Drunk Driving (TOWED) program to the community. After firsthand experience with the devastating effects of drunk driving, they began providing free tows home for anyone who had too much to drink during the holiday season. Over the years, they have provided thousands of free tows and saved countless lives.

Congratulations to the Jones family and all the Denny's Wrecker Service employees on their selection as a Local Gem. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each year I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho as part of the Support Local Gems All Season Long initiative. Today, I am pleased to highlight Freedom Tires as one of Idaho's Local Gems.

Freedom Tires was founded by Ryan and Kimberly Humphrey in 2023. As the parents of two children Walker and Harper, the Humphreys understand the importance of time and convenience to young families. Their unique business model brings the tire shop to their customers' houses, giving Idahoans back more of their precious time. Freedom Tires began in Lewiston but has partnered with Kenny and Sherry Gingras of KG Maintenance to bring a mobile tire service to nearby Moscow. They recently added services to cater to commercial and agricultural customers as well.

Both the Humphreys and the Gingrases are dedicated to public service. Kimberly is a registered nurse at a

local hospital, and Ryan serves as a paramedic firefighter for the local fire department. Sherry has a master's degree in education and works with surrounding school districts through the University of Idaho's Safe Routes to School Program. Their commitment to giving back extends beyond their professions to the heart of their business. Freedom Tires donates to organizations like Jackson's Pay It Forward Foundation, local youth sports teams, church fundraisers, and more. Every year, to mark their anniversary, they give away a free set of tires to a community member in need.

Congratulations to the Humphreys, Gingrases, and all of the employees at Freedom Tires on their selection as a Local Gem. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each year I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho as part of the Support Local Gems All Season Long initiative. Today, I am pleased to honor iSource as one of Idaho's Local Gems.

Devin Dial opened iSource, Rexburg's first-ever Apple repair store, in 2013. It was one of the only Apple-authorized service providers in eastern Idaho. Consequentially, Idahoans were forced to drive elsewhere for their repair needs. After hearing requests from customers to bring iSource to Idaho Falls, Dial and co-owner Remington Sharp expanded the business in August of 2024. They plan to grow their business to additional locations in the future.

As still one of the few Apple-certified repair stores in the region, iSource specializes in fixing broken phones. From the front screen to cameras and microphones, iSource can fix it all. Along with repair, iSource also sells, trades, and trains on all Apple products. Whether an Idahoan is interested in the latest model or needs assistance learning a new feature, iSource can help them with all of it in a local setting.

Congratulations to the Dials, Sharps, and all the employees at iSource. You are a great example of growth and building a local business, and I am proud to honor you as a Local Gem. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each year I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of small businesses in my home State of Idaho as part of the Support Local Gems All Season Long initiative. Today, I am pleased to honor MidStar Firearms as one of Idaho's Local Gems.

Justin Davis founded MidStar Firearms in 2011 with a vision of providing top-notch firearm retail and maintenance services to the Middleton community. After hiring Bill Garrett to build a permanent retail space for the business, the two became friends. In 2020, Justin sold MidStar to Bill and his wife Tracey. Today, the Garrett family proudly runs the business, with Bill and Tracey at the helm and their two sons Tyler and Neil managing the storefront and operations. Together with their team of four full-time employees, MidStar delivers exceptional service to their customers 5 days a week.

MidStar Firearms has a reputation for excellence and has been recognized as the best gunsmith store in the Treasure Valley. They offer a wide range of firearms and ammunition, including hunting rifles, shotguns, and concealed carry weapons. The business provides firearm maintenance and upkeep services, ensuring customers receive high-quality care. At the heart of MidStar Firearms is a commitment to treating every customer like family. To them, it is not about the gun but the experience and the quality after the purchase.

Congratulations to the Garretts and all the MidStar Firearms employees on their selection as a Local Gem. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Madam President, I rise in opposition to the resolutions that we have before us.

For 76 years--and, by the way, I agree and associate myself with the remarks of my friend and colleague from Nevada and not so much with my colleagues from Vermont and Oregon, but I respect them individually. I am in opposition to these resolutions before us, and I want to speak for a few minutes as to why.

For 76 years, the United States has stood with the State of Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, but, today, Members of this body are sending a message that the United States' support for Israel is in question. It is not. This comes after a difficult year during which this administration has egregiously undermined Israel's ability to defend itself as it fights a several-front war against Iran and our common enemies. The administration has withheld weapons and ammunition. It has issued National Security Memorandum 20, which has held Israel to arbitrary standards and interfered in Israel's domestic politics--all in an effort to placate the far left of the Democratic Party during our own domestic elections.

Today, instead of acknowledging that American support for Israel is still strong, these resolutions seek to say that support for Israel has changed. It has not. I know these resolutions will fail, and I hope the world will hear me when I say that the people of America support Israel--full stop--but I think it is important to remember how we got here.

This administration foolishly thought we could get along with Iran and beg the Iranians to talk. When the Iranians refused, the administration released billions of dollars in frozen assets in an effort to buy the Iranians off. Meanwhile, the administration reversed U.S. sanctions policies that had cut off the flow of money to the Iranians. The Iranian ghost fleet, which Tehran uses to evade sanctions, grew from under 80 ghost ships moving oil to now over 300 ships. Awash with money and knowing the administration would not challenge Iranian bad behavior, Iran knew it could start this war in Gaza without consequences.

Rather than focusing on Iran's behavior, these resolutions before us today are the predictable evolution of the administration's horrible and failed policies that seek to both appease the critics of Israel and isolate the Jewish State in the international community at a time of its greatest need. The departure from the regular process for moving arms sales and the administration's repeated threats to halt assistance to Israel invited these resolutions that are now before us. Withholding arms sales signals to the terrorists that American support for Israel is conditional and encourages Iran's proxies to extend the war in Gaza, further risking civilians and incentivizing Hezbollah to continue its attacks on Israel from the north.

We must stand with Israel as it confronts these threats. Voting in favor of these resolutions would have significant foreign policy implications far beyond the Middle East. U.S. allies across the globe will lose confidence in the United States as a dependable security partner. Partners straddling the fence between the United States on the one hand and China and Russia on the other are watching this and watching closely. They will certainly draw the conclusion that the United States is a fickle friend that cannot be relied upon to follow through on its commitments in the hour of their greatest need.

To make it worse, these resolutions highlight that, instead of confronting our adversaries and their bad actions, the United States will, instead, call on our friends to simply take it and to threaten them if they do not just take it.

The support for Israel has traditionally enjoyed broad, bipartisan support. I know that is true today. As such, I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote no on these resolutions and to deliver a strong voice of support for Israel.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today, I join Idaho State Representative Barbara Ehardt to recognize and honor her enduring fight to protect title IX and the freedoms of female athletes.

For more than 50 years, title IX has been instrumental in leveling the playing field for women's sports. It has ensured safer and fairer competition and opened doors to incredible opportunities for generations of American girls and women. By recognizing the fundamental, biological differences between men and women, title IX allows each to pursue educational programs and activities equally, including athletics. Title IX is not just a bureaucratic regulation; it is a representation of our dedication to fairness and opportunity for men and women.

Representative Ehardt is quick to say that title IX changed her life. It gave her opportunities to participate and win in school athletics-- eventually propelling her to a 15-year career as a NCAA Division I women's basketball coach. Representative Ehardt's story is

echoed by countless women across the county who have worked tirelessly to compete in the sport they love.

Generations of Americans have devoted themselves to promoting and advancing women's sports, including right here in the Gem State. In 2020, Idaho became first in the Nation to enact legislation that protects female athletes through the Fairness in Women's Sports Act. I thank Representative Ehardt for spearheading this bill and Idaho Governor Brad Little for signing it. The Fairness in Women's Sports Act protects the integrity of women's sports and guarantees fair competition for Idaho's female athletes.

Despite more than 50 years of progress, threats to dismantle and distort the protections in title IX persist. Today, Americans fear the loss of safety and opportunity for their daughters in education and athletics.

In Congress, I will continue to fight to protect fairness in women's athletics and defend the provisions in title IX from these dangerous attacks. We must not erase the contributions of women and girls in athletics. We must empower and provide the framework that allows young girls and women to play, compete, and win.

With the support and incredible work of people like Representative Ehardt, I am certain we will ensure these rights for women in Idaho and beyond. I am proud to deliver Representative Barbara Ehardt with this gold letter in recognition of her devotion to fairness in women's sports and selfless efforts to provide Idaho girls and women with opportunities to succeed.

Mr. President, today, I rise to honor and recognize the extraordinary career of Kristine Hanisch, whose dedication to the U.S. Senate spans over 35 years. During her storied tenure, Kris has diligently and graciously served in the offices of four U.S. Senators: Senators Symms, Craig, Allard, and myself. She has witnessed and contributed to a significant chapter of American and Senate history.

Kris's journey from a small town in north Idaho to a senior position in the U.S. Senate is a testament to her determination and commitment to improving the lives of others. Few possess Kris's depth of knowledge about the inner workings of the U.S. Senate. Her insights and understanding of the legislative process have made her a valuable asset to our team and to the institution as a whole.

In addition to her many accomplishments, Kris was involved with, and at one point led, the Administrative Managers Steering Committee--a select, bipartisan group of administrative managers and chief clerks chosen to represent their peers in the Senate community. This committee focuses on influencing solutions that improve efficiency and modernize operations within the Senate. She was a member of the

very first advisory group that helped create the Senate personnel system, known as OTIS. Kris also participated in the peer support group through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), demonstrating her commitment to fostering a supportive environment for her colleagues.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Kris for her exceptional service. She is truly one of a kind, and our office will not be the same without her. On behalf of myself, Vicki, and all who have worked alongside Kris in the Risch organization over the past 16 years, I want to express our deep appreciation for her contributions to Idaho and our Nation.

As Kris embarks on this new chapter in her life, we wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Thank you, Kris, for your devotion and for being an integral part of our Senate office.

Mr. President, alongside my esteemed colleagues Senator Mike Crapo and Representative Mike Simpson, I rise today to honor the formal turnover of the S5G Prototype from the Naval Reactors Idaho Branch Office (NR-IBO) and Fluor Marine Propulsion, LLC (FMP) to the U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Cleanup Project (DOE-ICP) and Idaho Environmental Coalition (IEC). This momentous occasion marks the early completion of the turnover of the S5G Prototype, a defueled naval nuclear propulsion plant that holds significant historical and strategic importance in safeguarding our national defense.

The S5G Prototype is a technological marvel born in 1961 and represents a pivotal chapter in our Nation's engineering history. Operational from September 1965 to May 1995, this remarkable prototype played a critical role in training 11,844 enlisted, officer, and civilian operators. The third and last prototype at the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF), S5G represented the pinnacle of science and technology in its generation, and the contributions to Cold War military applications and the U.S. Naval Nuclear Program is recognized by S5G's eligibility for listing in the National Record of Historic Places. The accomplishments of the S5G Prototype paved the way for the construction and commissioning of the USS Narwhal, SSN-671, a submarine of such versatility that much of its record is still classified.

The NRF's original, and main purpose, until 1995, was to test the concepts for nuclear propulsion and train sailors on their applications with three NRF Prototypes: S1W, A1W, and S5G. This turnover brings us to the final leg of a journey with a clear and achievable goal: the removal of all three prototypes at NRF by 2030. The journey began with the turnover of the S1W in January 2022, followed by the turnover of the A1W Prototype in November 2023, and, now, the turnover of the final prototype, S5G.

This turnover marks the end of an era and a continued commitment from the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program to manage radioactive and hazardous materials from cradle to grave, ensuring no adverse effects on the environment or public health. Decommissioning older, non- mission-critical facilities not only reduces workforce needs, but also allows resources to be allocated more efficiently to support the core mission of the U.S. Navy.

The formal turnover of the S5G Prototype serves as a milestone and testament to the incredible results that can be achieved when people and organizations are united with a shared purpose. We extend our sincere gratitude to each person involved for their unwavering dedication and hard work. This turnover is a significant step toward ensuring the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program continues to power maritime dominance for the Navy and our Nation well into the future. It also reaffirms our steadfast commitment to safeguarding our national defense, paying homage to our history, and preserving our national treasures.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month, I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor Soldier Mountain Highlands & Huns as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for November 2024.

Soldier Mountain Highlands & Huns (SMH Ranch) is a first-generation family ranch nestled on 120 acres at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains. The fulfillment of Dennis Stitt's lifelong dream, SMH Ranch focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle, conserving precious wild lands, and preserving the heritage of small farmers and ranchers. SMH Ranch is feeding the world one steak at a time. Stitt has proven that small farms can be profitable by producing the best steaks through environmentally enhancing soil regenerative practices. SMH Ranch prioritizes sourcing from and selling to the local community, even buying hay from farmers on the Camas Prairie. They take pride in their herd of heritage Scottish Highland cattle, which are naturally hardy and thrive on arid grasslands. In addition to their cattle production, Soldier Mountain Highland is home to an Airbnb for those who wish to learn more about the operation.

Dennis Stitt, the founder of SMH Ranch, served in the Army and Army National Guard for 39 years, including as an engineer officer and commander at the company, battalion, and brigade level of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team and the Idaho Training Center. Dennis is active in the veteran community, serving on the boards of the Idaho chapter of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, FARE Idaho, and the Idaho Horse Council. He is the founding chair of Soldiers of the Soil LLC and Idaho Mounted Cavalry LLC. Soldiers of the Soil, a podcast dedicated to educating and inspiring veteran farmers and military trained land managers, is one of Dennis's many efforts to improve the veteran and farming community.

Congratulations to Dennis and the rest of the team at SMH Ranch on their selection as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for November 2024. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted to speak for up to 4 minutes prior to the scheduled rollcall vote.

Mr. President, fellow Senators, I rise today in opposition to the nomination of Michael Sfraga to be Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs, not because I don't think we need an ambassador--we do--and not because I don't think Mr. Sfraga has the knowledge and the expertise to do this--I think he does--and not because he is not a nice person--I have met him. He is very engaging. I think he is a nice person, generally.

The Arctic is a critically important region under threat from increasing Russian and Chinese activity. An Arctic Ambassador should help advance U.S. leadership, but this person must demonstrate experience and sound judgment, not just in science but also in matters of national security. Dr. Sfraga is not qualified in that regard as far as I am concerned. In fact, I believe he makes the situation worse.

Based on his evasiveness during his vetting by the Foreign Relations Committee, I believe Dr. Sfraga could pose a counterintelligence and foreign malign influence threat to our Nation. I don't say that lightly.

Dr. Sfraga was asked repeatedly to provide his foreign travel, his foreign contacts, and his appearances on panels to the vetting personnel, and he failed to be open and transparent. He updated his file four times--maybe a new record--each time only after being confronted with additional information he tried to conceal.

For instance, while at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dr. Sfraga negotiated no less than 27 MOUs with Chinese academic institutions tied to China's intelligence services. Only after confronting him did Dr. Sfraga admit that he negotiated these MOUs. One in particular was with a Chinese university with ties to Chinese intelligence services, and the MOU gave the Chinese access to the university's IT systems, exposing it to substantial cyber threats.

On Russia, Dr. Sfraga failed to disclose a panel he spoke on in November 2021. Transneft, a sanctioned Russian state-owned energy firm, sponsored this conference.

He also failed to disclose articles he wrote and events he spoke at where he advocated for Arctic engagement with Russia and China, as required by the SFRC's questionnaire. There is no one questioning that engagement is necessary. I really think that he is naive, at best, as far as dealing with Russia and China. And, in his defense, the entire academic community, for that matter, shares this naivety when compared to our national security Agencies.

In May 2023, I took the unusual step of formally requesting the FBI to conduct a supplementary background check. In the 16 years that I have been here as a Senator, I have never asked the FBI for any kind of an investigation. I asked that this be supplemented. The FBI's response stated it could not conduct this investigation without White House permission, which the White House would not grant.

This means the Senate does not have a complete picture of the counterintelligence or other risks to our national security posed by Dr. Sfraga. The majority leader should never have scheduled a vote on Dr. Sfraga until a full

vetting was complete and until this body, which is a safeguard for our national security, had all the information that it needed. It doesn't.

Despite the poor due diligence on this nominee, there is still time for the Senate to do the right thing. I know it won't. I know this is essentially going to be a party-line vote. The Democrats want this person; they are going to get him.

If we truly care about advancing American and U.S. leadership in the Arctic and tackling the threats posed by our adversaries, we must do better--a lot better--than deliberately putting personnel in place that can pose a risk to national security. This appointment is such an appointment. This is not some political person going into a place where they can't do any harm. This is a person who is going to be at the crossroads of national security, dealing with people from China, for instance, every one of whom is an agent of the Chinese Communist Party, because every Chinese national is an agent of the Communist Party, and they have no ability to conduct themselves freely.

I urge my colleagues to vote no on the nomination of Michael Sfraga for Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 35th anniversary of the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, ID. This remarkable institution is a global attraction for history enthusiasts and airplane lovers of all ages.

The museum's roots trace back to 1986, when John and Sue Paul moved to Idaho from California, bringing with them a PT-19 WWII trainer, a P- 40E, and their passion for restoring World War II airplanes. They worked out of a hangar at the Caldwell airport, bringing planes back to life and flying them as they could. The community quickly fell in love with these historic aircraft, often gathering to watch them soar through the Treasure Valley skies. Inspired by the planes' history, residents began contributing their own WWII

memorabilia to the Pauls' hangar, hoping to create a meaningful tribute to U.S. history. The community's enthusiasm culminated in the official establishment of the Warhawk Air Museum in 1989.

As the collection of war memorabilia expanded, John and Sue outgrew the original hangar. Looking to construct a larger facility, they found a unique way to help fund the endeavor: Hollywood. Because of the authenticity on display at the Warhawk, the museum's Curtiss P-40N ``Warhawk'' and Curtiss P-40E ``Kittyhawk'' were featured in the 2001 movie ``Pearl Harbor.'' Proceeds enabled the Pauls to construct a new facility in Nampa, which opened its doors in 2001. Motivated by their success and larger facility, John and Sue sought to expand their collection to honor veterans from all eras. With additional proceeds from the use of their Curtiss P-40E ``Kittyhawk'' in the 2008 film ``Valkyrie,'' the museum expanded again, creating a space to honor those who served in Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War-era. The public can see both of these P-40 aircraft on display every year at the museum's annual Warbird Roundup, which brings historic planes from around the country to Idaho for an airshow that takes spectators back in time.

Beyond preserving physical artifacts, the Warhawk Air Museum is committed to safeguarding the stories of our veterans. Collaborating with the Library of Congress, their dedicated staff and approximately 80 volunteers work with veterans to share their experiences, ensuring firsthand accounts of their service and sacrifice are recorded for future generations. To date, more than 1,300 veterans' stories have been preserved by the Warhawk's Veterans History Project.

The Warhawk Air Museum serves not only as an educational resource for Idahoans, but also as the host of the largest monthly gathering of veterans in the State. Each month, the Kilroy Coffee Klatch brings together over 250 veterans, providing an opportunity for them to connect with others who may have served in the same branch of the military or conflict. This monthly event features a variety of speakers, many of whom are volunteers at the museum or regular attendees of the Coffee Klatch, covering a plethora of topics, such as serving in WWII or as a Dustoff helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Each month brings a new speaker and a new perspective on what it means to serve our great country.

Under the leadership of executive director Carson Spear, the Warhawk Air Museum continues its mission ``to educate visitors about the cost of freedom and honor those who paid its price.'' The museum is developing a new hangar to honor those who served and sacrificed in the Global War on Terror. Once complete, the Warhawk will be one of the few museums in the country with an exhibit dedicated to this conflict.

I am proud to have the Warhawk Air Museum in the great State of Idaho. It exemplifies the values that Idahoans hold dear, and I look forward to witnessing the continued impact this institution will have in our State and Nation.

Mr. President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am pleased to honor Innovative Electric Services, Inc., as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for October 2024.

Innovative Electric Services, founded by Kelly and Mindy Watkins, opened in 2018 in Clearwater County. A family-owned and operated business, the Watkins were motivated to frame their company after personal experience with the lack of trade services available in rural areas. Their exceptional work ethic and integrity, coupled with their efforts to reach rural areas, have contributed to their success. Within a year, they were able to expand their team and move to a larger location. Kelly and Mindy credit their continued success to their exceptional team of 10 employees and the Watkins' three sons Kade, Ryan, and Jase, who are invaluable to the business. Their youngest son is carrying on the family legacy as he begins his second year as an electrical apprentice.

Innovative Electric Services puts a high premium on engaging with local businesses and community circles. They are robust supporters of local sports, education, and 4-H programs. In addition to donations, they generously give materials and labor to community projects, including sporting facilities for the Orofino High School.

Congratulations to the Watkins and all of the employees at Innovative Electric Services on their selection as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for October 2024. Thank you for serving Idaho as small business owners and entrepreneurs. You make our great State proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.