Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the Buffalo National River as we mark the 50th year since it was designated as our country's first National River. Enjoying wildlife and the outdoors is a way of life for residents of the Natural State, and the Buffalo National River has helped countless Arkansans do just that.

Congress formally afforded the Buffalo River Federal protection on March 1, 1972, to preserve its 135 miles of free-flowing river and conserve natural, scenic and scientific features like the deep valleys, towering bluffs, rugged wilderness, and beautiful landscapes of the Ozark Mountains. That act has helped safeguard one of Arkansas' most prized gems for five decades.

This was the result of the leadership and vision of Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt, the longtime representative of the Third Congressional District. Using his position on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he helped protect the Buffalo River under the designation as a national river.

This incredible attraction welcomes Arkansans and travelers from all over the world, to take in the State's natural beauty.

From Big Bluff and Hawksbill Crag, to its famous herd of elk, images of the area are instantly recognizable.

The Buffalo National River provides something for everyone. Outdoor enthusiasts come to enjoy the excitement of the river, take in the beauty and serenity of the surrounding wilderness, and experience the friendliness of the Arkansas community. This unique, natural treasure has also been a steady source of economic growth and a staple of our tourism industry for years. Helping to grow businesses and communities, the Buffalo National River has contributed to the betterment of Arkansas in countless ways.

I am so thankful for all the men and women who have worked over the years to make this park what it is today and helped maintain it for all Arkansans to enjoy. It is because of these dedicated individuals and organizations that future generations will be able to experience the river's beauty and inviting atmosphere just as we do today.

In celebration of this historic milestone, an incredible group of park and community workers and volunteers has planned some great events throughout the year, and I am excited to follow along. Congratulations to all those, past and present, who have helped conserve and protect this iconic natural resource that has helped define and differentiate Arkansas for the last 50 years and many more into the future.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize the significant legislative victories the Senate recently delivered for women veterans with the passage of two pieces of legislation to modernize breast cancer screening polices and the delivery of lifesaving care for women veterans.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer for women. For women veterans and servicemembers, the incidence of breast cancer is estimated to be up to 40 percent higher than the general population.

Given the dangerous environments in which military members serve and additional risk factors associated with these locations, it is long overdue for the Department of Veterans Affairs to update its policies for administering mammograms.

We know early detection is crucial to preventing and treating breast cancer, so making sure those who are more vulnerable receive screenings at a younger age is not only reasonable but critical.

This would have helped Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, a Marine veteran, who was unaware of her increased risk for breast cancer. She shared her memories of deployment to Fallujah in 2005 with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee last year.

She understood the risk associated with IEDs, and she remembers the burn pits--so commonplace, they were largely ignored--but she wasn't concerned with the impact of what she called ``the flaming poison'' surrounding her would have on her own health.

In a routine medical appointment with her VHA health provider in 2018, Kate thought it was odd she was recommended to undergo a mammogram. That exam subsequently led to her diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer. She was 38 years old.

That is devastating news for anyone to face, and I know the entire Senate joins me in praying for Kate as she continues her fight against cancer.

Nobody would blame her for focusing on her own health battle, but she knows her story wouldn't be the last if something didn't change.

That is why Kate is being an advocate for modernizing VA policies so other veterans don't experience the same struggles she is living with.

We honored her activism by crafting and passing the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments Act. It will broaden veteran access to mammograms and also require the VA to compile data regarding the rates of breast cancer among members of the veteran and civilian population so we can continue improving procedures to better treat breast cancer patients.

The Senate also unanimously passed the MAMMO for Veterans Act to expand access to high-quality breast cancer screenings, improving imaging services in rural areas, and clinical trials through partnerships with the National Cancer Institute.

The VA is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Taking full advantage of the Department's unique capabilities, resources, and outreach will help deliver the lifesaving care that veterans deserve.

Passage of the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act and the MAMMO for Veterans Act reflects the bipartisan support for improving veteran services and benefits. I appreciate Senator Wyden's support and the leadership in the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and the leadership of Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Tester, who has been my reliable partner in advancing policies to improve the VA's care and services for women.

The VA estimates women make up 10 percent of our Nation's veteran population and continues to be the fastest growing population.

Last Congress, we made significant progress to expand VA's care and services for women with the passage of the landmark Deborah Sampson Act.

This was an important first step, and the legislation we passed last month continues to build on this foundation so we can fulfill the promise made to women who served in our Nation's uniform.

I am pleased the Senate has approved these policies, and I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to follow our example and quickly approve the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act and the MAMMO for Veterans Act so that they can be signed into law.

The women who have served our country in uniform need to know we are taking every step available to protect their health. These bills are an important downpayment in that mission.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I have the privilege of being with my fellow Senator, Tom Cotton, as we rise today to honor two Arkansans who gave their lives in service to others recently.

Arkansas Department of Corrections Officer Sergeant Joshua Caudell was a member of the department's K-9 team who responded to a call to assist his fellow law enforcement officers with a disturbance call.

During the course of searching for a suspect, Sergeant Caudell was shot and later died from his injuries. Born in Little Rock and raised in Redfield and White Hall, Sergeant Caudell was a White Hall High School graduate of the class of 2011.

Service was something that defined his life. In high school, he participated in the school's ROTC program. He then went on to serve in the Army National Guard and is a 10-year veteran of the Arkansas Department of Corrections with a variety of units.

He also served his family with deep care and devotion. As a loving husband and father, Sergeant Caudell put his wife and children above all else. They shared a special bond and never left any doubt about how much they meant to each other.

His friends describe Sergeant Caudell as a kind, generous person who was a real-life hero. He loved to fish and grill, cheer on his daughter's softball team, ride horses with his fellow Department of Corrections field officers, and support the Arkansas Razorbacks.

His sacrifice in the name of protecting the community and enforcing the rule of law will never be forgotten.

We are so grateful for his example and willingness to do the tough and dangerous job of ensuring public safety.

Honoring Jason Lang

Madam President, sadly, the Natural State lost another first responder in

the last few days, West Memphis firefighter Jason Lang.

Lang was traveling to another city for an EMT training class when he stopped to provide assistance to others involved in a traffic accident. He was struck by an 18-wheeler while rendering aid.

Originally from Iowa, Jason Lang was an Eagle Scout and a volunteer firefighter who was just starting his adult life. We were fortunate that his path brought him to Arkansas, where he was eager to begin serving the West Memphis community.

Lang was an enthusiastic and promising young man who, on day one, wanted to be an integral part of the important work that first responders do to help support those in need. He learned that example from his own family, with a father who served as a police officer for decades and a brother who is a volunteer firefighter.

He may have only been with the West Memphis Fire Department for a few months, but his chief recalled viewing him as a future leader in the organization from the first time that they met. His heroic and selfless actions will be admired and appreciated for years to come.

Those who perform such acts do so without regard for their own safety, which is the hallmark of public service. So today, we remember both Sergeant Joshua Caudell and firefighter Jason Lang for what they gave to their respective communities: themselves, totally and unflinchingly.

We regret that their actions were necessary, but we will be forever grateful that these two men did not hesitate to put their own safety aside in the name of protecting and helping others.

I join with Senator Cotton and so many others to share our gratitude and admiration for these heroes, as well as our sorrow that they paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

We pray for their loved ones and colleagues as they mourn these fallen guardians who served others to the very end.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the life and service of former Hot Springs mayor Helen Selig.

Selig was a beloved member of the Hot Springs community and made a substantial difference in the lives of so many Arkansans. She not only served as mayor of Hot Springs from 1994-2000, but also played a crucial role in fulfilling countless projects aimed at bettering the city.

As mayor, Selig saw great success throughout her 6-year tenure, and it was something that was recognized by citizens and leaders alike. Hot Springs city manager Bill Burrough reflected that, ``Hot Springs is truly a better place because of her passion, the work that she did, and her influence. When Helen Selig was involved, people would listen.''

Selig has been praised widely for her involvement in a variety of community projects, including the construction of the convention center. In the recent weeks, dozens of local leaders have been outspoken in their praise and gratitude for her dedication to Hot Springs.

In 1992, Selig was already making waves as a well-known leader of a group advocating for Hot Springs to be chosen as the location for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts. This school did end up being located in the so-called Spa City and has helped so many students with bright minds flourish throughout our State.

Her lifetime of service to her community and neighbors extended far beyond her time as an elected leader. She was a founding member of the Arkansas Women's Leadership Forum, as well as the Women's Foundation of Arkansas, in addition to volunteering for several organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Hot Springs Parks Board of Directors, R.E.G.A.R.D., YMCA Board of Directors, Hot Springs Music Festival-- board of directors--Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity, Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist, the Lotus Book Club, and Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club. Time and time again, Helen Selig exhibited her firm commitment to the people of Hot Springs.

I am so grateful for Mayor Selig's dedication to serving her community and truly making a difference in the lives of those around her. I want to take this time to pray for her family in their time of grief and reassure them that Helen's memory will live on through the great work she has done for Arkansas.

Madam President, while we gathered in the House Chamber for the State of the Union Address, the whole world was watching for President Biden's comments on Putin's rapidly escalating invasion of Ukraine. I thought the President did a good job expressing our steadfast support to Ukraine. That strong message was conveyed to the international community during his address, and the appreciation from both sides of the aisle was reflected in our collective response. It was a moment when we felt complete unity in the Chamber.

Unfortunately, it was the only moment of unity in the entire address. The overwhelming majority of the President's speech was geared toward a specific audience--his liberal base.

Over the course of an hour, the President boasted about spending billions on unnecessary wish list items, pushed his ``climate first'' agenda, and laid out his Big Government social justice platform.

It was a message tailored for residents of the Hamptons rather than those who live in Hampton, AR. The voters in Austin, TX, but not Austin, AR.

Arkansans are worried about paying their bills, putting food on the table, and the price of gasoline. The cost of almost everything is on the rise, and every American is feeling the pinch. And we are not talking about luxury items here; we are talking about necessities. A gallon of gas costs almost a dollar more than last year. Electricity bills are skyrocketing, and food inflation is at its highest rate since the Carter administration.

The main thing my constituents and, quite frankly, most Americans outside of the beltway needed to hear was a plan to bring down inflation, end the supply chain bottlenecks, and restore our workforce to full strength. President Biden barely touched on these issues. When he did, it was to cast blame for inflation on businesses and industries that are doing their very best to maintain operations in the face of historic supply chain and labor challenges.

The President claimed that businesses should simply lower costs to reduce inflation, as if lowering costs in the face of increasing government mandates, increasing input costs, labor shortages, and overregulation was possible. There is a major disconnect between the struggles Americans experience every day and the image the President and his team are desperately trying to project.

This is most apparent in rural America. The President and his team often boast about record high farm income but never acknowledge the fact that the financial gains family farmers, ranchers, and foresters will see will soon be reduced by record high production costs. Land, machinery, labor, fuel, seed, and livestock feed prices are all increasing dramatically. Fertilizer prices have spiked as much as 300 percent in some parts of the country, and at the same time the administration is levying tariffs on our fertilizer imports. Every portion of the food chain remains strained as labor shortages and supply chain issues continue to hinder our ability to get food from farms to tables.

For many, the increased costs of farming are deterring them from continuing in the industry. It is pushing the next generation of farmers down a different career path instead of carrying on the family business. The family farm operations that once populated my home State of Arkansas in large numbers will be eroded away if we don't make rural America and farming more economically stable.

This is bad news for rural America. In most of our rural communities, agriculture is all that is left. Agriculture is Arkansas' largest industry, adding around $21 billion to our economy every year and accounting for approximately one in six jobs.

But rural Arkansas is hurting. My home State has 75 counties, and 55 of them lost population in the last census. I suspect the same trend is likely happening in each of our colleagues' States. The exodus is fueled by the desire to leave rural America to pursue economic opportunities outside of farming. And that is so unfortunate, as the family farms that color the landscape of rural America are the true building block for a better future.

Reversing this trend should be at the top of our to-do list. Our agenda needs to benefit more than urban and suburban America. It needs to reach and help the 60 million Americans living in our rural communities. When people leave our small rural towns, we run the risk of losing schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure needed to sustain these communities. We must find solutions to rebuild economies and secure livelihoods in rural America.

President Biden only mentioned the word ``rural'' once in his entire State of the Union Address. He continued to push his Build Back Better agenda, which favors big city liberals at the expense of rural America and pledged to resurrect this doomed package.

My advice to President Biden: It is time to stop pushing that boulder up the hill. Instead, make good on your pledge to unite the fractured country. That starts by abandoning these misplaced priorities and focusing on the needs of all Americans.

With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the National FFA Organization and celebrate National FFA Week, February 19-26, 2022. This is a week to applaud the positive impact FFA has made on our country and acknowledge the accomplishments of its members.

Previously known as the Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization was founded in 1928 by a group of young farmers with dreams to develop an organization which would address the challenges of feeding a growing population. These young farmers' leadership, experience, and passion for the industry became a movement that, for nearly 100 years, has adapted to represent the entirety of agriculture, not just farming. The National FFA Organization has been an institution where students can grow as both agriculturists and leaders. Today, there are 735,038 FFA members in 8,817 chapters across all 50 States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, DC. In my home State of Arkansas, FFA has 229 chapters with close to 16,000 members.

FFA is a part of an integrated model that implements classroom agricultural education and hands-on, experiential learning. I commend the more than 13,000 agricultural science teachers and FFA advisers who prepare the next generation of leaders. It is because of them that we can be confident in the upcoming farmers, ranchers, foresters, agriculturalists, scientists, educators, and those who seek a career outside of the agricultural industry.

I have been fortunate to spend some time with these impressive young people. They hail from different parts of the country and come from unique backgrounds, but all possess the same passion for agriculture and service. It is always encouraging hearing FFA members share their experiences and goals for the future. There is no doubt they are prepared to make those goals reality.

FFA is about more than preparing students for careers in agriculture. It teaches leadership skills, instills a sense of service, and places young Arkansans and young people all over the country on the right path for success. After leaving their chapters, these young leaders continue to make a positive difference in the world around them. There are over 8 million FFA alumni. Alumni continue to use the knowledge and skills acquired while they were members. I know this to be true. Currently, I have eight FFA alumni on my staff, including some who received the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization and alumni who served as chapter, State, and national officers.

FFA members inspire those they serve, and I, too, have been impressed by the members and their accomplishments. I am increasingly optimistic about the future of agriculture, especially with passionate, dedicated leaders, like the ones developed by FFA, at the helm. FFA members serve as a reminder that our future is bright. I am honored to applaud the great work of FFA at the local, State, and national level as we celebrate National FFA Week.

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

Mr. President, we have a true crisis at our southern border. Those in Washington who refuse to use the word ``crisis'' to describe the humanitarian and security challenges must accept the disastrous consequences of an open-border policy.

Just look at the numbers from the Department of Homeland Security. More than 2 million illegal immigrants were caught attempting to cross the border last year, and if the Biden administration doesn't get serious about securing the border, we are on pace to repeat or exceed this troubling figure in 2022. In December, 178,840 illegal immigrants were apprehended attempting to cross along this stretch of the border, making it the highest total for that month in Department of Homeland Security history.

I have been here before describing this chaos, but the reality is, it continues to escalate while the administration refuses to take action to stop illegal immigration.

Unsurprisingly, we are seeing the tensions between the Biden administration and Border Patrol officials boil over. These men and women have answered the call to protect and serve. They put their lives at risk to enforce the law and arrest people illegally crossing the border, only to have the administration approve the release of the very criminals the officers locked up. This betrayal by the administration is creating low morale, with some Border Patrol officers choosing to leave the job rather than support this lawlessness and insanity.

Instead of preventing illegal drugs from entering our country, border agents are spending time processing paperwork for illegal immigrants.

Do you know who else is seeing this paperwork? TSA agents. The Department of Homeland Security is allowing these lawbreakers to board airplanes using their Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest warrants as identification at TSA checkpoints. This is totally absurd. It is a reckless policy that threatens the safety of air travelers and all citizens. The administration must end this practice.

The message coming from the White House is: Our southern borders are open. All are welcome.

This has been a green light for immigrants since day one. It started with migrant numbers increasing along the southern border as they awaited Biden's immigration action, and now we see the result. We have experienced record border crossings, overflowing detention centers, and the release of single adult migrants into the United States, among many other many problems. That is how it is going.

It is not just citizens from Central America and Mexico who are taking advantage of this foolish generosity; people from Syria, Turkey, Russia, Pakistan, Cuba, Haiti, and India are illegally entering the United States along the southern border.

I have been here before on the Senate floor sounding the alarm about the threat this dangerous and indefensible approach to immigration and border security is having on our country. It is threatening our sovereignty and undermining the rule of law.

Instead of implementing commonsense steps to secure the border, the administration has prioritized ``border czar'' Vice President Harris's mission to discover the ``root causes'' of this crisis while the number of illegal immigrants entering our country is reaching historic levels.

The reality is, this truly is a crisis of the Biden administration's own making. The President reversed policies that were curbing illegal immigration, like the construction of a border wall and the ``Remain in Mexico'' policy.

We must provide Border Patrol agents with the tools and resources to successfully accomplish their job. That involves enforcing the laws and holding illegal immigrants accountable for their unlawful actions, not helping them board airplanes to travel around the country.

This is a matter of national security. My GOP colleagues and I are ready to get back to the effective strategies we had for controlling the border under President Trump, and it is time President Biden gets on board.

With that, I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I have had the privilege of serving Arkansans in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in both the majority and minority. So I know how unmistakably important it is to protect the rights of the minority in the interest of individual States--especially those like Arkansas that are more rural and less populated.

That is what our country's Founders had in mind when they designed the

Senate. The Senate is sometimes referred to as ``the world's greatest deliberative body''--the key word being ``deliberative.''

It is not crafted to quickly approve or reject legislation passed by the House as a mere formality. Instead, it offers equal representation to each State and a procedural process that incentivizes and rewards consensus.

Allowing individual Senators to secure and, just as importantly, stop dramatic policy changes is what sets this body apart. The filibuster provides each of us leverage that must be preserved.

Unfortunately, many of our colleagues on the other side have succumbed to shortsighted political calculations and are endorsing changing the Senate's rules in order to jam through their legislative priorities.

However, the ability to prevent radical, swift, and far-reaching changes that would surely sow confusion and uncertainty is invaluable. As such, I intend to continue protecting the filibuster.

Our Democratic friends, with some exceptions, are now abandoning their previous support for the filibuster, which, while in the minority, they argued was indispensable and utilized with zeal to great effect.

Even President Biden, who enjoyed a long career in the Senate and exercised his right to stop or hamper legislation and nominees he had concerns with, has decided his decades-long embrace of the filibuster is no match for the loudest voices in his party demanding to discard it.

The justifications all point in one direction: keeping power.

Today, the Biden administration and Senate Democrats believe a supposed threat to our democracy requires abandoning the minority party's ability to pump the brakes on the excesses of one-party control in Washington.

Worse, the grave threat to the fabric of our society and experiment in self-government they are touting amounts to nothing more than duly elected State legislatures reining in some of the most overly accommodating voting policies that were enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic: things like reasonable limits on absentee voting, commonsense registration rules, and practical deadlines.

Instead, they want to bring the full weight of the Federal Government down on States like Arkansas that have sought to protect election integrity by instituting voter ID, blocking ballot harvesting, or ensuring the accuracy of voter rolls.

These commonsense safeguards are not an existential threat to our Nation, nor do they warrant breaking the Senate and being unconstitutionally superseded.

It is concerning that most Members of the majority are now singing quite a different tune when it comes to tinkering with longstanding rules of the Senate to achieve partisan ends.

I think it is important to applaud our colleagues on the other side of the aisle who remain committed to protecting the filibuster and, by extension, the very integrity of this institution. They have come under intense pressure. Yet I recognize and they recognize how important this tool is, the harm that would come from abandoning or undermining it, and that majorities in the Senate do not last forever.

Should the Senate go down this path, it would result in exceedingly scorched Earth, where consensus is even harder to find and shifting majorities implement drastic policy transformations when a President is willing to rubberstamp whatever Congress approves.

I have opposed this ill-advised tactic in the face of opposition from my own side of the aisle in the past and understand it is not always an easy thing to do.

My colleagues and I will not acquiesce on this question, and I hope the Senate can move on, in a bipartisan way, to addressing the challenges that our country is facing and finding solutions that actually help Americans facing real-world problems instead of spending any more time on partisan threats that upend this body's traditions that would ultimately diminish its unique and necessary place within a government that is truly the envy of the world.

With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to commend Mark Bennett, who is retiring as chief of the water development division of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission after a 34-year career creating and preserving access to water in our State.

Through his work, Mark has helped provide clean, safe, and reliable water to countless Arkansans and has been instrumental in the conservation of our State's land and water resources. Thanks to Mark's dedication and commitment to the people of Arkansas, he has ensured that future generations will be able to enjoy the beautiful land and wildlife the Natural State is known for.

Mark is a true Arkansas success story. Raised near Lake Village and a graduate of Lakeside High School, Mark earned a bachelor's degree in both agricultural economics and banking and finance from Mississippi State University. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law

and the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he earned a master of laws degree in agricultural law.

Mark served the people of Arkansas as general counsel for the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission for nearly 20 years. He continued his public service as the chief of water development with the natural resources division of the department of agriculture. In this role, Mark oversaw a variety of crucial infrastructure programs including the Arkansas Clean Water Revolving Loan Program, the Arkansas Drinking Water Revolving Loan Program, the Arkansas Water Development Fund, and the Arkansas Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Fund to assist Arkansans with water, wastewater, and solid waste projects. Mark has also served as the state cochair and member of the EPA--State SRF working group and is a former board member and past president of the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities board of directors.

I am grateful for Mark's experience and expertise. His guidance was instrumental in crafting Federal legislation to modernize investment in water infrastructure. The Securing Required Funding for Water Infrastructure Now, or SRF WIN, Act was signed into law in 2018 and is improving access to clean water in Arkansas and across the country. Mark's knowledge in this field was invaluable as my staff and I developed this legislation.

Generations of Arkansans will continue to benefit from Mark's extraordinary efforts to provide quality water infrastructure and further conservation efforts in our State. His dedication to improving the lives of his fellow Arkansans is an inspiration, and I wish him the best of luck in retirement.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize Springdale Police Chief Mike Peters, who spent his career serving his community with unwavering commitment. His retirement as chief of the Springdale Police Department will surely leave big shoes to fill.

Chief Peters' dedication to his job is a testament to his character and courage, beginning with his pledge to serve his country in the U.S. Army. Being in uniform for more than 5 years taught him countless lessons about the importance of leading by example and serving others. That service helped shape him into the leader he is today and gave him the tools to build a 30-year career in the Springdale Police Department.

Peters' Arkansas roots also helped inspire him to stay in the Natural State and serve his community. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and demonstrated his abilities in service and in the classroom, which helped his career advancement.

After his time in the Army and the Arkansas National Guard, Peters worked in investigations and drug enforcement. He thrived in this role and was promoted to sergeant in 1998. After working as a shift supervisor for 4 years, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2001 and then captain in 2004. His clear devotion to the force and record of time and time again sacrificing for his community allowed him to advance quickly. Peters' served rotations in administration, patrol, and investigations before being promoted to Springdale chief of police on September 11, 2015.

His accomplishments and accolades have been plentiful and essential, including the design and construction of the Criminal Justice Complex, which houses the new police department and district court and its offices; graduating from the FBI National Academy; and memberships within the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police, and the FBI National Academy Association.

Chief Peters is known for being a strong leader who truly cared for those under him. ``It's his leadership and how he brings up others beneath him to build on what the department has done and advance the department,'' Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said about his service.

Peters' long and extremely successful career is representative of so much of our law enforcement across the State and the Nation. I am so thankful and proud of the men and women in blue who serve their communities everyday by keeping citizens safe and providing them vital support and assistance. I congratulate Chief Peters on the incredible impact he has left on Springdale and his fellow members of the Springdale Police Department. I wish him luck in his next endeavor.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize CMSgt Jason Jenkins for his dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force and the Senate as a Legislative Defense Fellow. Jason served as a vital part of my team in 2020. He was a trusted adviser on issues relating to the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Jason's effort and reliability distinguished him as a valuable member of my legislative team. In particular, Jason played an integral role in the recovery of Fort Smith native and World War II combat pilot Lt. Henry Donald Mitchell's remains, a mission 77 years in the making.

Jason took his responsibility to bring his fellow airman home very seriously. His steadfast dedication and persistence were crucial to its success. He worked tirelessly to ensure the United States and Austrian officials, private landowners, and Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency leaders coordinated and engaged to achieve the right outcome. It would not have been possible without the efforts of Jason. He helped bring closure and resolution to Lt. Mitchell's community and loved ones, allowing them to close that chapter and find the comfort that been so elusive after his remains were buried in the Fayetteville National Cemetery.

Jason also diligently worked to help secure resources for our servicemembers, their families, and Arkansans through his support of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee and the successful passage of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. His passion to serve veterans and their families was demonstrated through his contributions to veteran legislation he advised on, including the John Scott Hannon Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019.

I also want to thank Jason's wife, Jami, and his children, Mike and Skyla, for their support of Jason's continued service to the U.S. Air Force. As the son of an Air Force master sergeant, I understand service to the Armed Forces is a family affair and is impossible without their sacrifice and unconditional support. Jason's son Mike has followed in his dad's footsteps and is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force in London.

A special highlight during Jason's time in my office was his promotion to chief master sergeant, a testament to his family, unlimited potential, and passion to serve others.

Jason, thank you for your continued service to the U.S. Air Force and for your time working in my office. It was our privilege to have you as a part of our team. My office will always welcome you. I know that you will be an asset to whatever future endeavors you pursue, and I wish you and your family the best.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize SMSgt Carlos Sanchez for his dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force and the Senate as a Legislative Defense Fellow. Carlos has served as a vital part of my team since January 2021. He has been a trusted adviser on issues relating to the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Carlos enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2002. His continued service is a reminder of the sacrifices necessary to maintain the opportunities available to us as U.S. citizens.

Carlos's effort and passion to serve distinguished him as a valuable member of my legislative team. His determination was evident and helped lead to passage of the transformative SAVE LIVES Act, which allowed the VA to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to all veterans and their spouses. When preparing for a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing earlier this year, Carlos posed a question that led to the introduction and passage of this critical legislation.

Carlos was also instrumental in the final months of the effort that led to the recovery of World War II combat pilot Lt. Henry Donald Mitchell. After years of work by Lt. Mitchell's brother, Bob Mitchell, and my office to locate and return this Fort Smith native home, Carlos helped ensure the authorities could access and correctly identify Lt. Mitchell.

His desire to serve his fellow airmen was demonstrated through his work in coordinating the first visit by Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass to Little Rock Air Force Base. Because of that experience, I believe the needs of our airmen and their families were further elevated and will result in an even higher prioritizing of getting them the resources and support needed to successfully execute their mission.

Carlos's steadfast dedication to serve and support the people of Arkansas has been inspirational. While in Arkansas, he spoke with and listened to the concerns of Arkansan veterans and their families, then worked tirelessly to ensure their concerns were heard and issues were resolved.

We have been very fortunate during Carlos's time in my office. I also want to thank his wife, Laura, and his daughters Sophia and Isabella, for their support of Carlos's time in uniform. As the son of an Air Force master sergeant, I understand service to the Armed Forces is a family affair and is impossible without their sacrifice and unconditional support.

Carlos, thank you for your continued service to the U.S. Air Force and for all your heartfelt, committed work as a member of my staff. It was our privilege to have you as a part of our team, and our office will always welcome you. I know that you will remain an asset to our military and veterans in addition to any other endeavors you pursue, and I wish you and your family the best.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 100th birthday of World War II veteran Leville Stephens.

I am proud to celebrate this milestone and honor his service and sacrifice in our Nation's uniform.

Mr. Stephens answered the call to serve. He trained at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, one of 30,0000 African-American soldiers who prepared for battle at this location before deploying overseas. He was assigned to the 93rd Infantry Division and shipped to the Pacific theater.

As a private first class, Mr. Stephens served in a number of dangerous locations during the war, including the Philippines, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. He was on his way to Japan when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, bringing about the Japanese surrender.

Mr. Stephens described his mindset while in uniform as simply ``doing his

duty as a soldier.'' He believed his job was to follow his orders and do what needed to be done. That attitude, shared by so many of his fellow soldiers among the Greatest Generation, helped the United States achieve victory and secure a desperately needed peace.

He is rightfully proud of his service, alongside his family and friends among whom he also inspires admiration and gratitude by being a devoted husband to his wife Hattie and a dutiful father and grandfather.

Mr. Stephens is a true American hero whose determination and dedication helped change the course of history. He answered his country's call to arms with courage, bravery, and honor. Our Nation owes him a debt of gratitude for his efforts to defend the freedoms we hold dear and defeat tyranny around the globe.

I am honored to recognize his serve and sacrifice, and wish him a very special and wonderful 100th birthday.

Madam President, I want to thank Senator Kennedy for his help and his leadership in this effort. We simply have to support America's healthcare providers, farmers, and ranchers. Doctors and the entire medical community are still struggling after being unable to perform nonemergency procedures during the pandemic.

With an aging population and more physicians not accepting Medicare because of insufficient payment, Medicare beneficiaries would face a reality of less access to quality care. That is why I introduced my own legislation to prevent these damaging cuts from harming our physicians, our providers. Our agriculture community is also struggling, and we must protect our farmers and ranchers by ensuring their operations can stay afloat and keep producing the most abundant and safest food supply in the world.

For all of these reasons, I support Senator Kennedy's bill.

I understand that my fellow Senator from Missouri also has some concerns, and so I yield to him.