Floor Statements

Madam President, in March 2016, we lost a young woman with great potential named Jessica Grubb. Jessie was a great student, a loving daughter and sister, and an avid runner. She was also recovering from an opioid addiction.

When she had surgery for an infection related to a running injury, her parents were there to take care of her, and both Jessie and her parents told her doctors and hospital personnel that she was a recovering addict and not to be prescribed opioids.

Unfortunately, Jessie's discharging physician did not see this note in her chart, despite it being in there eight separate times. He did not know that she was a recovering addict and sent her home with a prescription for 50 oxycodone pills.

Her parents talked to her on the phone when she got home, but that was the last time they talked to her. She had passed away that night in her sleep. The temptation was too great for her, as it would be for so many in recovery.

Her death was tragic, but preventable.

That is why I introduced Jessie's Law and why I fought to have it included as part of the fiscal year 2018 omnibus appropriations bill. The fiscal year 2018 LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee Senate Report, which was signed into law, includes the following commonsense language to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish best practices for hospitals and physicians for sharing information about a patient's past opioid addiction when that information is shared by the patient with the healthcare provider: ``Opioid Medical Record Reporting.--The Committee is deeply concerned about the devastating impact that the opioid epidemic is having on families throughout the country, and recognizes that medical providers must have access to information about their patients' past opioid addiction if that information is provided by the patient. The Committee encourages the Secretary to develop and disseminate standards that would allow hospitals and physicians to access the history of opioid addiction in medical records (including electronic health records) of any patient who has provided information about such addiction to a healthcare provider.''

These standards will be created in honor of Jessica Grubb and will help ensure that a patient's substance use disorder history is included in a patient's record like any other life-threatening medical issue, including a penicillin allergy.

This will help keep a tragedy like Jessie's death from ever happening again by ensuring that, when individuals are open about their past addiction, healthcare providers will have access to the information that they need to provide medically appropriate care and save lives.

Mr. President, after 2 years of hard work and because of the determination and strength of David and Kate Grubb of Charleston, WV, Jessie's Law was finally passed by Congress and signed into law, and I thank each and every one of my colleagues for their support.

Jessie's Law is different from other pieces of legislation. Jessie's Law will actually save lives and prevent parents from experiencing the heartbreak of losing a child.

Jessie Grubb's story is known to many of you already, but for those of you who haven't heard it and for those of you who don't know it, I want to go over some of the highlights.

After years of struggling with heroin addiction, Jessie had been doing very well. She had been sober for 6 months. She was focusing on making a life for herself in Michigan and was training for a marathon. She had surgery for an infection related to her running injury and died the day after leaving the hospital. All of her hard work was ruined because of a careless mistake.

Jessie's death is particularly heartbreaking because it was 100 percent preventable. Her parents, David and Kate, traveled to Michigan for Jessie's surgery. Both Jesse and her parents told her doctors and hospital personnel that she was a recovering addict. It was reflected in her medical records in eight different places. However, it was not highlighted the same as it would be when you have any type of an allergy or if you go in and they ask--the question is usually asked-- are you allergic to penicillin? Then it is very much highlighted, to the point that a mistake would not be made. This was not done.

After Jessie's surgery, the discharging doctor said he didn't know she was a recovering addict and sent her home with a prescription for 50 oxycodone pills. She should never have been given a description for opioid medication in the first place, as she had asked when she entered the hospital.

With the passage of Jessie's Law, we have taken the critical step toward saying that this will never happen again. Jessie's Law will establish new standards for healthcare providers to ensure that when a patient provides information about their opiate addiction, that information is shared with their doctors and nurses and is flagged just like we would flag a drug allergy. Having this critical information will help ensure that healthcare providers can make medically appropriate decisions about pain management for recovering opiate addicts. This simple step could have saved Jessie's life, and we owe it to her memory to make the change and keep other families from experiencing the same pain.

It has been over 2 years. You would have thought this would have been done within 2 weeks. It is such common sense. I don't think anyone realized before that they could not or did not or were not responsible for or were not by law supposed to basically make sure that every record--every transcript that she had in that hospital should have been marked and highlighted so nobody could have missed it.

Jessie's story and her family's pain are all too common in West Virginia and throughout this Nation. In 2016, 884 West Virginians lost their lives due to overdose. We have the highest loss of life per capita in the Nation--the highest in the Nation. Every hour, five people die from an opiate overdose. With continued support and tireless work from everyone, we can beat this epidemic once and for all. Jessie's legacy will save people's lives and will prevent parents and families from dealing with the pain and tragedy of losing a child.

David and Kate, Jessie's parents, have been determined from day one to make sure Jessie's death wasn't meaningless, and I am honored to say that Jessie's legacy will live on for a long, long time--long after we are gone. I talked to David and Kate today, and I can't tell you how elated they were to know that it will finally pass in a piece of legislation we will be voting on shortly. It is going to save a lot of heartache and a lot of pain and the tragedy that families suffer.

This was a beautiful young lady, as you can see. She was very intelligent, very athletic. She just happened to fall into the pits of this horrible epidemic we have.

We thought when we first heard it that it was just an oversight, but there are the HIPAA laws and all the different concerns that people have for privacy, and we weren't able to change it. The Presiding Officer, being a physician, knows how hospitals work and how the information is treasured and guarded. But this was one where we thought, my goodness, if there is an allergy, if you are allergic to penicillin--if I come into the hospital as a patient and tell you that I am a recovering addict, so please make sure that everyone in this hospital knows that I have had an addiction and that I still have addiction problems that I will have all my life, but I am recovering-- Jessie was 6 months sober, and for some reason, it was not identified.

Jessie's legacy will live on and the courage her parents have had to fight this fight so that we all can share it with the rest of the country, and maybe save countless lives throughout the country and each one of our States, and all the parents who suffer through this.

The lives of David and Kate will be forever changed, but they have the beautiful memory of this beautiful young lady, 30 years of age, Jessie Grubb.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor a prominent Civil War historian, whose work spans the globe as a lecturer, guide, and preservationist. Dennis Frye is the chief historian at Harpers Ferry National Park in my home State of West Virginia.

Born out of the fiery turmoil of the Civil War, the Mountain State was founded by courageous patriots who were willing to risk their lives and fortunes in a united pursuit of justice and freedom for all. As West Virginians, we take great pride in our history, and it is so important to instill this commitment to our values in the next generation. That is Dennis's legacy.

As a preservationist, Dennis is a cofounder and first president of the Save Historic Antietam Foundation and is also a cofounder and former president of the Civil War Trust. His lifetime achievements in the Civil War history community have earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including the Shelby Foote Award by the Civil War Trust and the Nevins-Freeman Award by the Civil War Roundtable of Chicago-- the first and oldest Civil War roundtable.

Dennis has authored nearly 100 articles and 10 books and also helped produce the Emmy Award-winning television features about the Battle of Antietam, abolitionist John Brown, and Maryland during the Civil War. He has been published in countless prestigious Civil War magazines, including Civil War Times Illustrated, America's Civil War, Blue & Gray Magazine, North and South Magazine, and Hallowed Ground and has been featured as a guest contributor to the Washington Post. His book, ``Harpers Ferry Under Fire,'' received the national book of the year award from the Association of Partners for Public Lands. ``September Suspense: Lincoln's Union in Peril'' was awarded the 2012 Laney Book Prize for distinguished scholarship and writing on the military and political history of the Civil War.

Dennis is a highly sought after tour guide, having worked with the Smithsonian, National Geographic, and numerous colleges and universities. He has a remarkable gift for storytelling and has certainly made history a favorite subject for countless students.

West Virginia is great because our people are great--Mountaineers who will always be free. In fact, when visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the chance to tell them about our wonderful State. We have more veterans per capita than most any State in the Nation. We have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and lost more lives for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have always done the heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the coal and forged the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories that have protected and continue to protect our country. I am so deeply proud of what our citizens have accomplished and what they will continue to accomplish in the days and years ahead.

Dennis has been a vital part of keeping the legacy of our State alive and inspiring the next generation to research, learn, and appreciate what makes West Virginia so special.

While he is retiring and everyone is sure to miss his strong leadership, Dennis's unwavering dedication passion for his work will leave a lasting legacy with the countless lives he has touched. I am sincerely grateful for his remarkable work and for showcasing our beautiful State to the rest of the Nation. I am deeply honored to wish good health and much happiness to Dennis and his family in the days and years ahead.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the legacy of a trailblazing musician and conductor from beautiful Wheeling, WV: Everett Lee.

Everett has not only been witness to changes in the classical music industry in the last century, but he has been an integral part of the change as well. His story began while working at a hotel in Cleveland, OH, where he met the Cleveland Orchestra music director, Artur Rodzinkski. The director, having already heard of Everett's remarkable talent, invited him to attend concerts on Saturdays. Rodzinkski was a mentor to Everett and inspired him to continue his violin training and eventually enroll at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Everett enlisted in the military of June 1943, serving as an aviation cadet at the Tuskegee Army Air Field. Following an injury in the military, Everett made his way to New York to serve in the orchestra for Broadway's ``Carmen Jones,'' a reimagining of Bizet's opera with an all African-American cast. One evening, the conductor was unable to attend a performance, and

Everett stepped up to fill the role, a move that launched his talent and professionalism into the spotlight.

In 1945, Everett served as the music director of ``On the Town,'' a groundbreaking show for having an integrated cast. Still, despite his success, Everett faced adversity and was once advised against auditioning for a seat in the New York Philharmonic. Many thought the South would not yet embrace him either. His response was to aim even higher and pursue an even more challenging career path as a conductor. In 1947, he founded the Cosmopolitan Symphony, which became famous for its inclusion of all ethnicities and backgrounds.

In time, Everett was invited by national and international symphonies to conduct, including the Louisville Symphony, which in 1953 made Everett the first African-American to lead a major symphony orchestra in the U.S. South. He went on to break even more barriers and rise above any challenge that came his way. Conducting an acclaimed New York City Opera production of ``La Traviata'' in 1955 made him the first African-American to conduct a professional grand opera in the United States.

Deciding that he would find better opportunities outside of America, Everett and his family moved to Germany in 1957. He held the position as chief conductor of the Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra in Sweden for a decade. In 1976, he conducted the New York Philharmonic for the first time. It was a concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which was particularly fitting; both men held the ideal that they could embody the change they wanted to see in the world and created opportunities for those who wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Time and time again, sheer talent and strength of character have transcended societal obstacles. It is because of individuals such as Everett Lee that countless musicians, regardless of their background or ethnicity, have pursued their dreams.

On his 100th birthday, the Mayor of Wheeling designated August 31 as ``Everett Lee Day'' so we could all celebrate his extraordinary talent and strength of character. We are truly blessed to have such an international treasure as a part of our West Virginia family. Again, it is a great honor and privilege to recognize his many accomplishments, and I wish him and his family the very best.

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss something extremely important to each one of us in this wonderful body, which is called civility and trust. I rise to discuss them because they have been lost in Washington. I look around and we are all friends, and for some reason we lost trust in each other. We don't seem to spend enough time with each other.

I can remember Senator Robert C. Byrd, who was the longest serving Senator in the history of the U.S. Senate, and he always told me what a place this was. He said that the Senate is something special. He even wrote a book about it, about how the Senate was to operate, what the Founding Fathers' intent was for the bipartisan, bicameral body that George Washington explained so eloquently, and what our role was as the most deliberative body in the world. The whole world depends on us kind of cooling things off and making things work. But as we have seen, it hasn't done what it is supposed to do, and it is not to blame one person or the other or one party or the other. I guess we can all say that it is all of our fault for letting it denigrate to this point.

Several years ago, I took a personal pledge. I just knew something was wrong. When I first got here, I looked around and I saw that we were all expected to make phone calls raising money every day to our respective parties, and that money would be used for a couple of purposes. The purpose was basically to set an agenda or explain your priorities and your policies, but a lot of that money was directed toward defeating colleagues on the other side. So being in the Democratic caucus, the Democratic money was supposed to be raised and, if any one of my friends on the Republican side was up in this cycle, that money was supposed to be used against them. I thought that was wrong, and I know a lot of my Republican friends feel the same way-- that they are supposed to be making phone calls to raise money to be used against me and everybody else who is up in this cycle. I am sure they feel the same as I do.

I have often said that I come to work in a hostile work environment, and I try to explain that in terms of how we in West Virginia would look upon this. If you go to work every day in my State of West Virginia and your colleague or some person with whom you are working is trying to undermine and undercut you to get you fired, and every day you go to work they are nice to your face but behind the scenes they are doing all they can to denigrate your work or to make your supervisors believe that you are not doing your job, back home in West Virginia, sooner or later, they are going to want a little talk. Can we talk in the parking lot? Can we have this disagreement worked out? That is just the way it would be settled, and, maybe, that is the way it should be settled here too. I don't know. I don't think so.

I have met too many wonderful people with whom I have been serving for the last 7 years who are bright, extremely capable, intelligent, and with a wealth of experience, and I would put them up against any people whom I have met anywhere in any occupation in the country. But for some reason, we are all blocked from doing the right thing or what we know is right--sitting down and not accusing each other, not working and conspiring against each other, and not getting basically to the point that it is so visceral. Perhaps, someone might be talking with me one day, but, then, that weekend they might be in my State campaigning against me. Then, we come back on Monday or Tuesday, and we are supposed to sit down and work through our problems and differences for the betterment of our country. I just think human nature doesn't let that happen, and it will not produce good results.

I have always looked forward to working with everybody. I am probably one of the most centrist, as far as being on more pieces of legislation in a bipartisan way. I have never looked at a Republican or a Democratic problem. I just looked at a problem that we had,

and I always said this: The best form of government--the best policies and the best form of politics, if you want to play hardcore politics-- is good government. Everyone can take credit for doing something good, and I will assure you, if we do something wrong and we don't fix things, we all get blamed. We all get blamed. So nobody looks good when we sit and don't work on our differences, and we all get credit when we try to work together.

We are facing a lot of challenges right now. We do things that basically shun the other side because we don't want to share the glory with someone else if we think there is some good in the piece of legislation. Every piece of legislation we have voted for or against has good in it. Every piece of legislation has something good and worthwhile in it. What happens is that there are ways we can make something better, and that is where our differences are. If you can make something better, then, I need to sit down and work with you because I don't have all the answers, but we both have a desire to make the best piece of policy that we can in legislation. So we should be working together. I should be open to saying: OK, that makes sense to me; let's see if we can amend this and fix it. But it seems that we get set in our ways.

The place that Robert Byrd talked about many years ago was a place where people stayed and spent more time in Washington. They didn't come in on Monday night and leave on Thursday afternoon. They stayed and worked. On the weekends, they would even get together and have dinners together. Families would do things together during the days and the weekends, and they became friends. It is hard to say no to your friend. It is hard. All of us have been in situations that were very hurtful, when there was a friend with whom you disagreed. So you tried to find the most delicate way to see if there was a pathway forward without losing that friendship. It meant that much to us. That is what it should be here, too. But when you don't have that relationship--as a former Governor, I have my dear friend from South Dakota, and we are going to look for a way to stay together and be friends. We are not going to look for a way to disagree and diverge from that friendship that we built.

We built that over our terms working together as Governors. I have always said that Governors are the most bipartisan people I have ever met.

In our NGA--National Governors Association--when you had an education problem, when you had a Medicaid problem, when you had an infrastructure problem, when you had a veterans problem, if you looked around and you saw someone in one State who had found a pathway forward to fix that, you never hesitated to call them and say: Hey, Mike, what did you think about it? He would say: Well, I tried this, Joe. Why don't you try it? I will send someone or you send someone out, and we will work together.

That is what I was used to doing as far as getting things done, and that is what I want to do here again. I think the place is right for it. The American people want it solved and want the States we represent to have a bipartisan pathway forward and to work together. I know the people of West Virginia want to see us get things accomplished.

I have a wonderful little State that has given their all. I often tell people in West Virginia--I tell the children: When someone asks you where you are from, I want you to puff up your chest. I want you to say: Oh, I come from a beautiful State, one of the most patriotic States in the Nation.

We have answered the call to duty more than most any State. We have more veterans per capita than most any State. We have fought more wars, shed more blood, lost more lives for the cause of freedom than any State. We have done the heavy lifting. We have mined the coal that made the steel that built the guns and ships that defend our country every day.

The Good Lord has been so kind to us and blessed us with one of the greatest venues that you will ever see in the mountains of West Virginia. My little State is called West Virginia, and we hope you will come and visit, and maybe you will even stay.

It is really who we are. And we all have that same pride; each one of us does. Whether it be Indiana, South Dakota, wherever it may be, we have a pride in our States, the people in our States, and they deserve better than what we are giving them right now.

I don't see anybody in public service, who is willing to put their name on the ballot, as my enemy. If you are willing to serve, then I am your comrade. I am going to work with you. If you are willing to take the heat that comes with these jobs, then let's make sure we get the results that the jobs should produce. These jobs should produce results so that the whole world can have a hope that America is the right place. They are the people who can solve the problems that we all have, and they still can lift us up and be the hope of the world.

With that, I am pledging to the people of West Virginia and to the American people that I will not campaign against a sitting colleague, that I will not directly fundraise against them, that I will not distribute any direct mail against them. I will not appear or endorse any advertisements directed at them. I will not use or endorse social media campaigns that attack them.

Washington will be dysfunctional until we all draw the line of truce and say that we are here for the same reason. We take the same oath. We swear on the Bible to the same Constitution--that we will uphold it. That is what we are here to do.

Since that civility has broken down because the system has changed and we are not here and we don't know each other's families, spouses, children, we better control ourselves, hopefully through the rules we can change and the ethics laws we should live by, to treat each other in the manner that we would want to be treated.

With that, I am going to sign this pledge, and I would hope that all of my colleagues would consider signing the pledge the same way. We are the only ones who can change it. The power has changed. The pressure that comes within has changed. The way this place works has changed. The only way we can change it is to say we are not going to participate in denigrating each other and attacking each other anymore.

With that, I am going to sign the pledge. It says here:

Pledge to Return to Era of Bipartisan Cooperation and

Agreement.

In order to restore civility to the United Senates Senate

and our political discourse, we must pledge to return to an

era of bipartisan cooperation and agreement.

I, Joe Manchin, pledge to the people of West Virginia and

to the American people that I will not campaign against a

sitting colleague, not directly fundraise against them, not

distribute direct mail against them, not appear or endorse

advertisements directed at them, and not use or endorse

social media campaigns that attack them.

I would hope that each one of you would consider this. I think we have to take this into our own hands right now and make sure that we look at each other, that we look at each other with sincerity. You are my friend. We might disagree, but we can work through this, Mr. President. We can definitely work through this and remember what our purpose is for being here. The people want us to succeed. They depend on us to succeed, and that is the policy they need. Whether in Indiana, South Dakota, or West Virginia, they all want the same--they want America to be the hope of the world.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, late last night this body voted on the fourth short-term continuing resolution for fiscal year 2018. That means we are already into this by 3 or 4 months. I voted for the continuing resolution last night because I refuse to support a government shutdown in any way, shape, or form, but it doesn't mean I believe this should be the way this Congress works.

To my good friend from Alaska and all of the good people here, I consider everyone in this body my friend. To the blame game, I got here in November 2010. The Democrats were the majority at that time, and I wondered why we weren't voting. I didn't understand the process. As I started learning the process, I kept wondering, why aren't we voting? There were filibusters and cloture and we couldn't get things done.

I am not here to say who is at fault. I know when you are in the majority, you are in a leadership position, and you are supposed to lead. We expect leadership to lead. Leadership has to make sacrifices sometime to find a pathway forward. Both sides are guilty of not doing that as well as it should be done.

We are in a government shutdown. It should never happen. Three hundred million people shouldn't be penalized for the dysfunction of this body. As Democrats and Republicans, I would hope we would be Americans first.

I don't think of my Democratic Party before I think of what is good for the country or what is good for the State of West Virginia. I have my Democratic principles I believe in. As a West Virginia Democrat, perhaps they are a little different than maybe a Washington Democrat, and I have my Republican friends in West Virginia who believe a little differently than Washington Republicans. At the end of the day, we always try to do what is right for the State of West Virginia and, most importantly, what is right for the country.

We are not going to let our troops down. There is no way, shape, or form. You have to be accountable and responsible. In all the things we are doing, I can't fathom how we have allowed so much power in two people's hands--both leaders of our respective caucuses--where it seems any negotiations are only done between two people. The only negotiations are with the staff of those two people, and we are supposed to, as a body, blindly go along. As you know, I don't do that all the time. My votes are pretty independent, and they will be. I always said if I can go home to West Virginia and I can explain what I am voting for and why I did it, whether they would agree or not, if I can explain it, I can vote for it. If I can't look a West Virginian in the eye and explain my vote, I made it for political reasons for myself or for somebody else but not for my State. I am not going to do that.

For us to go beyond tomorrow would absolutely be a travesty. If we can't open this government back up and work through our differences, it would be a travesty. If we allow this country to suffer starting Monday morning--when everybody should be at work, everybody should be paid for the work they are doing for our great country to keep it safe, our military, and everybody down that line--then shame on all of us.

I believe we can. I believe the majority leader is going to find a pathway forward, and he will be able to lead and accept what the minority, the Democratic Party, is saying. We can adjust and make some adjustments here. We need some votes on this. We would like to be able to proceed further, and we want to make sure we can come to an agreement that gives us a long-term solution, not every month it is coming back to us. That means getting a pathway forward. I truly believe in my heart that can be done, and it will be done.

I have, in my State of West Virginia, 20,000-plus children depending on the CHIP program for their healthcare, and I know the Presiding Officer does too. We all do. We want to take care of that.

We have our military, and we want our military to be funded properly so they can defend us. We need to make sure they have all the necessary equipment and armaments and all the technology they are going to need to be safe themselves. For us to divide ourselves between Democrats and Republicans about who supports the military more or less is wrong. It is the one thing that keeps us bipartisan. It is the one cohesive thing we have in this Senate is our military and our love of our veterans and the work of our military, what they are doing and what they have done for us. I have never found a Democrat or Republican who wouldn't rally behind a veteran or help the military to be as safe as they can. So that should be taken off the table. No one is against the military.

Every time we pass another short-term funding bill, we put our national security at risk. We talked about that. We stall critical projects for our economy and our citizens. The CR means we are stagnant. We can't plan, we have no long projection that we can take care of. It basically gets us from one day to the next. If the CR is for 30 days, it gives you 30 days. If it is 3 days, it gets us 3 days. Somebody has to move the needle forward to make sure we can run in a consistent way. We need a 12-month budget. We need the 12 appropriations bills the Senator from Alaska spoke about. We need those to be taken up and leadership must lead and make that happen. During the shutdown, government agencies and services will close. The people we are supposed to serve are going to suffer, and that is just wrong.

The Department of Defense--we have talked about that on both sides of the aisle--will not be able to pay death gratuities to families. Think about that. We will not be able to pay the death gratuities to families of servicemembers killed in combat without additional legislation from Congress. With this dysfunctional shutdown, where we can't operate, that is not going to happen. Everyone wants to use something as a wedge and something they can hold against each other, and then they figure out what they can do with it: Well, I am for this or I want to take care of the death benefits. That is the least we can do, but so-and-so doesn't want to do it. That is not right. I can't fix it that way. That doesn't repair it.

Yesterday, during negotiations, while government agencies were preparing for a shutdown, I spoke to my good friend Ken Fisher. I don't know if you know about the Fisher House. You may have heard of them. They are all over the country taking care of our military families. When there is someone wounded anywhere in the world, if someone needs-- if a family needs a place to stay, it is similar to the Ronald McDonald House that helps families in need when they want to go visit, and they can't afford these types of trips. They take care of that. Ken Fisher and his family and his foundation have always been there for them. Ken Fisher is making sure there is no funding gap during the time of unfathomable loss.

Can you imagine, here is an individual, a private individual, a philanthropist, the Fisher House, they are agreeing to offer the families an advanced grant until the government can make reimbursements at the appropriate time. They will also cover the flights and hotels and incidentals for the family for this period of time. Here is an individual, an American, willing to say: Listen, we are going to put our family money up in support of our military families who have lost a loved one defending our country, making sure they are able to travel to be with that body of the deceased, being able to give them comfort. Knowing we are so dysfunctional right now that we can't make that happen, to have a private individual step up and do that for us is unbelievable.

You talk about the love and pride of an American putting their country first. Ken Fisher and his family have put their money where their mouth is. They put their money where they believe what is good about this country, what makes us better than anyplace in the world. Ken and his family and the Fisher House stepped up to help our soldiers and their families during a time of need and especially during this senseless shutdown.

As I said before, this shutdown shouldn't go anymore than tomorrow. Tomorrow it should come to an end. This truly unacceptable silliness that we go through should stop.

We have important work to do, including ensuring the military is

equipped to protect our country, fighting the opioid epidemic, keeping our promise to our coal miners and their pensions. We have pension plans they are going to lose by 2022. The average pension a miner gets, you would think is, what, an exorbitant amount? It is $586, the average pension. That is all we are asking for. Most of them are widows collecting these pensions to keep their homes opened up, to be able to take care of themselves. We need to help there. The Children's Health Insurance Program, the CHIP program--there are 20,000 West Virginians and 9 million Americans who must be taken care of.

Funding the government is one of our most basic constitutional obligations, and now because of partisan politics--and everybody in this room is guilty--100, guilty as charged who are not able to sit down and do their job, not able to work through our differences, not able to put your country before yourself and your politics, only thinking of what might benefit you or the party to which you belong, as if that is the only oath and alliance and allegiance you owe.

That is not who I am and not whom I am going to be. I am going to do whatever I can to keep this government open and get it back open. This is dangerous to our national security, and it is truly embarrassing. I want to apologize to every citizen in West Virginia and every citizen across this country. We are better than this, and I am ashamed we haven't been able to show the true spirit of who we are and whom we should be and why you sent us here to do our job. I will continue to fight to make America what it should be and what it is, the promise of the world, the hope of the world. There are people all over the world thinking we can be better than what we are. Let's show them. Let's do our job.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, all the nearly 50,000 children who are on West Virginia CHIP want this Christmas is to have their healthcare. That is not a lot to ask for from a child.

As a legislative body, we were elected to serve the needs of all of our constituents, and that includes protecting our most vulnerable--our children. How many times do you hear us give speeches, whether it is in this body or whether it is back home--it is all about our children. The future of our country is about our children. The future of our State is about our children. Our future generation--whatever we do, the promise of the world--is about our children. And all they are asking for is to have their healthcare.

It seems as though we are so consumed with partisan gridlock and posturing that we would allow the expiration of health insurance for children. It is almost unconscionable for us to be in this situation, and the children have no control of their own healthcare coverage, and their parents can't really afford basic healthcare. They are the working people who are above the poverty guidelines and doing everything they can to put bread on the table and take care of their families, and their children have no access to healthcare without CHIP.

On September 30, Congress not only failed to reauthorize a bipartisan, noncontroversial program for children, we failed the 9 million children in this country who rely on the program to stay healthy. There are 9 million children who are depending on CHIP, the funding of CHIP, and the basic priorities we should have for our most vulnerable, and we have done nothing. Our No. 1 job as Senators, as parents, and as human beings is to care for and protect our children, but this body cannot even find the humanity to do that.

In West Virginia alone, almost 50,000 children use CHIP over the course of the year, and more than 20,000 children who are currently on the program are going to lose it in February when the money runs out. Through CHIP, these children have access to basic medical care, which includes prescriptions, immunizations, dental coverage, vision, and mental health coverage. For more than 2 months, their healthcare has been hanging in the balance because of the negligence of the body, our dysfunction, playing Democrat and Republican at a higher level of our party than our purpose of being here, which is to do our job.

Millions of families are in a state of uncertainty, worrying about how to pay for their child's basic healthcare needs or, for many families, lifesaving services. I believe it is our duty to ensure that our children are taken care of, for they are truly our country's future and legacy. I believe that no matter how much your family makes or where you come from, the most important thing you have is healthcare for your children so that they have a healthy start.

There are five promises every adult should make to a child. This was started under Colin Powell, the five promises.

The first one is, every child needs to have a loving, caring adult in their life; someone who they know unconditionally loves them, right, wrong, or indifferent. It is not always the biological parents or biological family. It could be a neighbor. It could be someone reaching out. It could be a church or service. It could be an afterschool program.

Second, every child must have a safe place. A safe place might not always be the home where they live.

Third, every child must have a healthy start. We talked about nutrition. We talked about healthcare. That is part of it. If we can't teach a child how to keep themselves healthy, how to take care of themselves nutritionally in all different ways, they are not going to grow up to be a productive adult. They will have health concerns. They will have health challenges. It is up to us to make sure they have that healthy start.

Fourth, every child should have a livable skill. That means education. In this country, we make sure every child has free education, K-12, and we make sure there is assistance so they can go through a college program. If we can work with them and help them with financial literacy, they wouldn't be bound with so much debt. I think we can help in a lot of different ways.

The fifth promise is the hardest one to teach. It is the hardest one because this promise is that every child should grow up to be a loving, caring adult and give something back. If these children see that we don't care and that our priority is not healthcare and that having a healthy start in life is not one of our priorities, what are they going to do when it is their turn, when they become the responsible adults? What are they going to do? Are they going say: Well, you know, I don't know, we didn't have too good of an example because we saw all the bickering and fighting back and forth, politics trumping everything, so I guess maybe that is not a big priority for us.

I hope they have more discipline than we have had here. I hope they have more compassion, more empathy than we have shown. That is what I hope. I hope that we change our ways now and make sure our failure to come together stops and stops now and that we come together for the CHIP program and the healthcare for every child who depends on this for a healthy start in life.

That is why I stand before you today--to encourage my colleagues to come together and find a solution and protect healthcare for over 9 million children across this country. I have talked to families and children all across West Virginia who are at risk of losing their healthcare coverage.

For many families, CHIP is a temporary helping hand while they are down and out. It is a perfect example of how, in West Virginia and in America, we put out a hand to help those people in need. There is a difference between a handout and a hand-up. These people need a hand-up when they hit hard times.

I have a letter from a mother in West Virginia.

I have encouraged the people of West Virginia to put a real family, a real face behind the challenges they have so that it is not just something we are speaking about in a political arena--it is basically something that happens in real life, and it is affecting people.

This letter comes from Annetta:

My name is Annetta, and I am the mother of a now 18-year-

old son named Dalton. WVCHIP is important to me because when

Dalton was 15, it was discovered he had a pituitary brain

tumor as well as a condition known has Chiari malformation.

If you are not familiar, Chiari is a condition where the

brain protrudes out the back of the head, similar to a

herniated disc in the spine. Most times, Chiari requires

surgery to relieve pressure out of the head.

I had lost my health insurance at work and could not afford

to get a private insurance during this time. Thankfully I was

approved for CHIP. His neurosurgeon nor his endocrinologist

ever had any issues accepting CHIP; they didn't have any

issues with authorizations for MRIs or bone scans, which he

had every few months.

I am very thankful to have had insurance like CHIP, and I

feel there are so many children like my precious son that

will suffer if the program ends. I feel some could be

detrimental to not only the children but also the parents who

are not eligible for Medicaid services. We live in a state

where jobs are not so plentiful and the ones we have pay much

less than other States.

I hope WVCHIP is saved.

This is a mother reaching out, saying that her son was saved because of CHIP. She couldn't afford it. She was above the poverty guidelines. She was working and trying to make it, and someone told her it might be more advantageous to go on welfare. There is still an awful lot of pride and dignity in people's lives. They will fight for that dignity, and we ought to fight to give them assistance during the toughest times.

I am calling on my colleagues to right this wrong and to reauthorize CHIP before we leave for Christmas. There are so many deadlines we are trying to make. I know the speed the tax bill is moving through is because it is a priority to get done before Christmas. Even though we don't have a crisis, even though the stock market is doing greater than ever, even though unemployment is lower than ever, there is a timetable at warp speed that this is moving through. Yet we have not addressed what we need most, which is healthcare for our children. I don't know where the urgency is for tax reform that would trump the urgency and the need for healthcare for children.

With that, I urge all of my colleagues to please take a look at this, and let's correct this wrong and not go home for Christmas until all these children have healthcare.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the Honorable Fred L. Fox, a proud Vietnam veteran and West Virginian, noble public servant, and very dear friend of mine, who left a significant imprint on our home State of West Virginia.

Fred was born in Charleston and raised in Sutton in lovely Braxton County. His grandfather, Fred Fox, Sr., or ``grandfox,'' was a lawyer, a State senator, and a West Virginia Supreme Court justice. His father, John Fox, was a prosecuting attorney in Braxton County for more than a decade. Despite this family tradition, Fred grew up determined that he did not want to be a lawyer.

He loved our country, and after graduating from the Greenbrier Military Academy in 1956 and Davis and Elkins College in 1960, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1960 to 1963. Once he returned home with his new perspective, he finally did follow in his family's footsteps and enrolled at West Virginia University's College of Law, ranking second in his class, and remained in the Marine Corps Reserves.

Fred also graduated from the Naval Justice School in Newport, RI. His success in these endeavors prepared him for his first law experience at Furbee, Amos, Webb and Critchfield, a local firm in Fairmont. Fred began working as a personal attorney for my father and our lifelong friendship began.

However, soon after joining the firm at the height of the Vietnam war, Fred again answered the call of duty. He wanted to be a combat marine because, in his words, ``It was the right thing to do.'' After nearly a year as an infantry company commander, Fred was wounded. He was awarded a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars with combat ``V,'' and two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry with Gold Star. Due to his injuries, Fred retired as a captain in 1969. I can recall Fred saying, ``You don't win Bronze Stars, they're awarded to you.'' His experience during Vietnam set the groundwork for how he viewed the rest of his endeavors. In his opinion, he certainly faced pressure as a judge, but he had already faced so much as a marine that nothing ever quite compared.

Even now, I remember Fred so clearly with his globe and anchor marine

lapel pin and a warm smile on his face, and that is how I'll always remember him. I chose Fred to swear me in at my second inauguration as Governor, and it made the day even more special.

What made Fred's presence so comforting was that he wasn't afraid to admit he didn't know an answer. In fact, when he was elected as Marion County circuit court Judge in 1970, he frequently called upon one of his mentors, Judge Robert Maxwell of Elkins, for help. He followed Judge Maxwell's example and always maintained a good relationship with his colleagues. He had only been out of law school a few years, but because of his compassion, intelligence, and fairness, he was reelected every 8 years until his retirement in 2010. Young judges and lawyers often called on him for advice thereafter, and he was happy to oblige.

His view of the law is something I will always admire, and I know has inspired countless young judges and lawyers. He was fiercely protective of the interests of the people before him in the courtroom, acknowledging the heavy responsibility of representing the entire justice system. He didn't necessarily agree with every verdict, but he respected every verdict because he trusted the system.

Following his 40-year career as Circuit Court Judge, he served 3 years as a senior-status judge. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest sitting circuit judge in the State. In 1995, he was appointed to serve a 10-month term with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. He was instrumental in the creation of the CASA Program, which provides a voice for abused and neglected children who find themselves in the court system, and it has changed countless lives for the better. Among his many recognitions, he was also rightfully nominated as a Marion County Public Servant of the Year.

What is most important is that Fred lived a full life, surrounded by dear friends, colleagues, and family. It is my hope that his loved ones are able to find peace, strength, and support in one another. This is a time to celebrate his life and legacy and to honor his memory in our thoughts and prayers. He touched countless lives, and his loss has left a deep void in our statewide community. He was a dear friend to Gayle and I and our family, and we will miss him dearly.

Again, I extend my most sincere condolences to his loving wife, Debra; his children Charlee Anne, Joseph, Logan, and Zach; his grandchildren Lindsay, Kelsey, Nick, and Benjamin; his sister Janie; and the entire Fox family. I am honored to join the people of West Virginia and beyond in recognizing Fred's memory, as well as the unwavering love he had for his family, friends, the judicial system, our State of West Virginia, and our great Nation. His legacy of service will live on forever.

Mr. President, I rise as a Member of this great body to say thank you to our good friend from Alabama for serving. It is such a shame that we have so many good people in this body and some really great people in this body who are here for such a short period of time, and to have a person like Senator Strange come before us and be part and try to make a difference.

I truly enjoyed his speech based on bipartisanship, which is what we are all here for, and seeing how we have digressed to the point where there is very little bipartisanship that goes on and then knowing that we can make that change and make a difference.

I want to thank the Senator. It has always been a joy to be around him. He has such a way and such a demeanor about him--his congeniality, his camaraderie and wanting to make this place work the way it is supposed to work and the way they have told us it did work.

With that I would say, Senator, I am grateful I got to know you. I am grateful that you have passed through these doors for all of us to call you our friend. I am sad that you are not staying.

I know there are bigger things in store for you. I know your life is going to be blessed, and with that, you blessed us by being part of us for a period of time.

Thank you, Senator.

Mr. President, I thank my good friend, the Senator from Oregon.

I want to put this in perspective. I don't think there is a person more bipartisan than I am. I don't think there is a person who has signed more bills in a bipartisan way with my Republican friends than I have--who has voted on more Republican bills or more Republican amendments than I have as a Democrat.

I am really so frustrated. I thought that we could make this place work. That was my purpose in being here. I truly have done everything I possibly could. I reached out. The White House was kind enough to reach out to me. I sat down and I talked to all of the people who are in charge of writing this legislation from the White House. I sat down with my colleagues. I gave them some suggestions and ideas. We brought people together, thinking we could find a bipartisan way.

I will tell you, as I see it unfold tonight, this has been designed not to have even me, as one Democrat, on the bill, and I want to be. I want to be part of a reform for the first time in 30 years. I look back at Ronald Reagan. He was a hero to all of us. He had 97 votes; 97 Senators voted for the legislation that he crafted. There were adjustments--a give-and-take. But every time, I would think, well, if I have some ideas, shouldn't you at least listen to me; listen to what we think?

Two days ago, we did a press conference. I invited all of my colleagues. I thought: Well, I and Senator Heitkamp from North Dakota and Senator Donnelly from Indiana--I knew the three of us would show up. I had 14 other colleagues who were craving to be involved; they wanted to be involved. I saw my good friend, Bob Corker, Senator Corker from Tennessee. I asked him: Can we have a few more days to look at this? That was denied.

I don't know what it is going to take. Maybe we have hit the proverbial wall. This is the first time I know of, in the history of the United States of America, that we have ever done this type of major reform without having a bipartisan objective for it. There is not one bipartisan vote on this piece of legislation, and I am looking; I have been looking and trying.

People have called me today from my home, asking: What have you seen? Do you like something? I said: I haven't seen that much. I am still trying to find the bill. I promised them: I will see something before I vote on it. I won't be able to read it, but I am going to see it. I want to see something.

I would love for us to take the time to sit down and work on this and see it. I think you would be surprised. I think not only could we get to 60, we could get above 60 votes on this, and that is what it should be.

In 2010, I thought my Democratic colleagues who voted for the Affordable Care Act with not one Republican on it were wrong. I thought that was wrong. I understand from the history--I wasn't here; I was a Governor at that time--

that at least they tried. They went through the markups. They went through the hearings. They had an awful lot of input. I understand that.

Still, I don't think any major legislation that affects every American should go through without a bipartisan buy-in, without bipartisan votes, without bipartisan support. If this is designed to be a political ploy--to basically have one side, and one side only, not wanting one Democratic vote--this will fail, and it is a shame for our country and for my colleagues.

I have made it a point that what I thought was broken in this place-- I have never, ever campaigned against a sitting colleague. I have never campaigned against a fellow Republican. I have never made a phone call against a fellow Republican. I have never raised money to be spent to try to defeat a fellow Republican, my friends, because I don't think I could face them if I am trying to defeat them and then ask them to work with me. I have never done that nor will I ever do that. That is not my purpose for being here.

All I have asked for is to have the chance to work with my colleagues. That is all I have wanted to do. I want to be part of this. I ask, if there is any way possible, slow this down to allow me to be involved. I would appreciate that.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I have a motion to commit at the desk.

Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Heitkamp for her support of this motion.

Our motion would simply send this legislation back to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to change provisions important to West Virginians.

First, it would call for the reductions on individual tax rates for middle-class and working people to be made permanent. Currently, individuals receive temporary relief, while corporate changes are made permanent--a gimmick that provides uncertainty for West Virginia taxpayers and North Dakotans.

Next, it directs the committee to maintain important priorities, such as the medical expense deduction, student loan interest deduction, retirement savings incentives, homeownership incentives, and the historic tax credit.

It is important that we provide this permanent relief to American taxpayers who are slated to see higher taxes as rates go up in the later years of this bill. In my State alone, 79 percent of West Virginians make under $75,000 and will see their taxes spike as their tax relief expires.

Finally, the amendment calls for small businesses to receive much needed relief and for the corporate tax rate to be set at 25 percent. In my State, 95.6 percent of businesses are small businesses and employ over 50 percent of West Virginians.

I urge my colleagues to support sending this bill back to committee and to work in a bipartisan way to pass a fiscally responsible tax reform bill that positions this country to thrive for future generations.

If I could just say--

I ask unanimous consent for an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. President, a 33-percent decrease from 35 percent to 25 percent is quite substantial. I have not had a corporation yet, if you have spoken to any of them, that wouldn't be tickled to death with 25 percent. That basically sustains that we can help more people. I think it would be great for the economy of the United States of America, and I ask everyone to consider that. It is a most reasonable request.

Mr. President, today I wish to celebrate the 80th birthday of Ike Morris, a proud honorary West Virginian, a legendary businessman, and one of the dearest friends I have ever known.

There is no better position to find yourself in than being able to give back to the community you love. I can attest my small hometown of Farmington helped mold who I am, and it brings so much joy to my life to be able to give back to the place that shaped me. Ike and I share a bond rooted in public service. Whether supporting Glenville State College or getting the tab at the Cornerstone Cafe in Glenville, Ike enjoys every minute of it.

Ike got his start working for his father in the oil and gas business. Wanting to set out on his own, Ike moved to West Virginia in 1962 and worked servicing rigs until he established Waco Oil & Gas in 1975. No one in the north central region of the Mountain State gets confused when someone mentions ``Waco.'' When you say ``Waco'' around here, people think of Ike Morris. They don't think of Texas.

It was in Glenville where Ike met the love of his life, Sue. He knew Sue was the right woman for him, and he knew that West Virginia was the right State for him. They have been married for over 50 years. As Ike can attest, once you come to West Virginia, it becomes part of you forever. The Mountain State made a lasting impact on him, and he and his family have made a lasting impact on the Mountain State. Ike is truly one of the most humble, generous and hard-working people I know.

Together, Ike and Sue have contributed to the success of many projects at Glenville State College, which is also home to the I.L. ``Ike'' and Sue Morris Stadium. As a lifelong educator and 1965 alumna of Glenville State, Sue knows how vital it is that our educational institutions are provided with the tools needed to keep up with ever- changing technologies. Their generous spirit and compassion extend throughout the Glenville community and beyond, touching the lives of countless West Virginia workers, students, and businessowners--all traits they have passed to their children and grandchildren.

Ike and Sue's children, Shelly and Doug, have both made Glenville their home. Ike and Sue are blessed with and immeasurably proud of their four grandchildren--Hannah, Luke, Ian, and Jordan--and their great-granddaughter, Arianna. Ike wouldn't let me stop without mentioning his beloved companion, Waco, his Labrador Retriever.

Ike, as your family and friends honor you, I know this will be a sincerely memorable occasion for you to reflect on your many accomplishments and experiences, while you enjoy the company of your loved ones. You have provided so much happiness and wisdom to the lives of those around you throughout the years. It is my wish that the memory of this special day remains with you and Sue just as your guidance and influence will remain in all the lives you have touched.

Again, it is with the greatest admiration that I send to you my best wishes on your special day. Happy Birthday.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the remarks that my colleague, Senator Pat Roberts, made at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Eisenhower Memorial on November 2, 2017, be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Joseph Guio, Jr., a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice saving the lives of his fellow crewmembers aboard the USS Monaghan during World War II.

Gunners Mate Third Class Guio was one of the hundreds of men who were lost at sea during Typhoon Cobra, which struck Task Force-38 in December of 1944. Task Force-38 consisted of 7 fleet carriers, 6 escort carriers, 8 battleships, 15 cruisers, and 50 destroyers that had been operating in the Philippine Sea conducting air raids against Japanese airfields.

Survivors of the event reported that Joe freed a raft from the sinking ship and was injured in the process. Regardless, he continued to pull his fellow men to the safety of the raft and saved many lives. Aboard the raft, his grateful comrades tried to comfort Joe in his last moments, and he thanked them for doing so before he passed on.

When the Monaghan sank, 256 crewmembers were lost. Twenty held on to the raft for some time, but after days at sea, exhausted, injured, and struggling against 50-foot waves, that number dwindled to six. The USS Brown rescued the six survivors 3 days later.

Joe's body was never recovered, but his name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines. He was 25 years old.

Born in Hollidays Cove in beautiful Hancock County, WV, no one would have expected less from Joe. He died as he lived, helping others with the utmost respect for our home State and our Nation.

West Virginia is great because our people are great--Mountaineers who will always be free. In fact, when visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the chance to tell them about our wonderful State. We have more veterans per capita than most any State in the Nation. We have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and lost more lives for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have always done the heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the coal and forged the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories that have protected and continue to protect our country. I am so deeply proud of what our citizens have accomplished and what they will continue to accomplish in the days and years ahead. It is with utmost gratitude that I recognize Joseph Guio, Jr., and all the servicemembers of today and yesterday.

Additionally, I am honored to recognize Joe's family who have kept his legacy alive--his nephew, Gary Guio, his great-nephews, Mark and David, and the entire family, the Northern Panhandle community, and the surviving crewmembers who have never forgotten Joe's legacy of service and heroism.

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to celebrate the christening of the USNS Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, T-ESB 4. This expeditionary sea base ship, the second of its kind, is named in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and West Virginia icon, Chief Warrant Officer Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, retired.

Woody Williams was born on a dairy farm in 1923 in Quiet Dell, WV. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a demolition sergeant in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. As a result of Woody's valiant service, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman on October 5, 1945. Today, at 94 years old, he is the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima.

What sets Woody apart from so many others who also honorably served is that his brave service on the battlefield was bookended by compassionate service to members of our Armed Forces and their families. Before entering the Corps, Woody had the painstaking task of delivering Western Union telegrams to Gold Star West Virginia families who lost loved ones early in the war. After he served 20 years in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, he spent 33 years as a veterans service representative in the Department of Veterans Affairs and is still serving on the Governor's military advisory board in the State of West Virginia. He is a fierce advocate for all veterans of all eras.

On January 14, 2016, during a ceremony in Charleston, WV, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the expeditionary sea base ship 4 (T-ESB 4) would be named the USNS Hershel ``Woody'' Williams. On Saturday, October 21, Woody will be joined by his family, five of his fellow Medal of Honor recipients, fellow World War II veterans, and four of the five living USS Arizona survivors from Pearl Harbor for the joyous occasion of the christening. I look forward to the great honor of joining these heroes at the event in San Diego this weekend.

Perhaps in no other time in our recent history has it been more vital to remember and emulate the heroism, perseverance, and patriotism of those who belong to the Greatest Generation. Woody is the embodiment of the best of his generation. Through the christening of a ship that bears his name, we are both honoring his great service and lifting up a role model to inspire all West Virginians and Americans alike.

I would like to salute Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel ``Woody'' Williams. I also want to thank him for his great service to this great Nation and the great State of West Virginia, for showing us the power of patriotism, freedom, and family.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Figaretti's Restaurant in the scenic northern panhandle of my home State of West Virginia.

Figaretti's was recently named the best Italian restaurant in West Virginia. In my home State, this honor means so much more than just good food. It is a testament to our State's value of family, heritage, and traditions.

Some people may think our love of history means we cling to the past. It is the exact opposite. In an age where the future seems so uncertain, where we have access to more information and more choices than we know how to process, West Virginians know their priorities. What has stayed constant throughout history is our commitment to our loved ones, keeping our traditions alive, and passing our knowledge of our diverse heritage on to the next generation. The future of West Virginia and the entire country is at the forefront of our minds. These are the values that have made West Virginia stand out in our Nation, and these values are also present in the legacy of excellence at Figaretti's.

In 1944, Sicilian immigrant, Anna Figaretti, started making spaghetti sauce for her neighbors while her husband, Giuseppe, worked in the local mine in Clarksburg. Soon, with support and encouragement from her community and help from her five sons, Anna's spaghetti sauce became available in local grocery stores and eventually in her own restaurant.

Today the restaurant is owned by the third generation of the family. It is my honor to congratulate Dino Figaretti, his wife, Michelle, and his son, Enzio, for this special recognition. Gayle and I have enjoyed the company of the Figaretti family at the beloved Wheeling location and have shared many great meals and conversations with Tony, Sr., and Tony, Jr. I value their friendship so very much.

Owning a business is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences, and doing it as a family makes it all the more special.

It is my honor to recognize and celebrate the Figaretti family and the Wheeling community for this well-deserved honor.