Floor Statements

Madam President, recently I met with members of the American Legion of Arkansas during their annual convention. This year they celebrated 100 years of helping veterans. I was honored to join them on this occasion and share how proud we are of their efforts to serve their fellow veterans.

Since its founding, Legionnaires have been leading advocates for veterans and their families. They are committed to strengthening the policies, programs, and institutions to support those who have worn our Nation's uniform.

One of the ways they have been instrumental in achieving this is bringing Legionnaires from across the country to Washington to share the Legion's priorities with me and my colleagues. Members from Arkansas expressed that one of the top issues for the Legion this Congress, as has been the case for the past several years, is suicide prevention.

The American Legion and other VSOs like the VFW, AMVETS, IAVA, Wounded Warrior Project--and the list simply goes on and on--are pressing for action to improve access and treatment for veterans who are at risk of suicide. We all know there is room for improvement on this front.

Congress has provided significant funding increases to the Department of Veterans Affairs to decrease veteran suicide rates. In fiscal year 2010, the VA requested $62 million for suicide prevention outreach. That number nearly quadrupled to $222 million within 10 years. Despite the sharp increase in resources, sadly, 20 veterans commit suicide each day. That number has, unfortunately, remained roughly unchanged throughout the years. Tellingly and sadly, only 6 of those 20 veterans are receiving healthcare services at the VA.

Veterans are particularly vulnerable to mental health struggles which, when untreated, can lead to increased risk of suicide. They suffer a disproportionately higher rate of suicide compared to the general population.

In Arkansas, veterans represent about 8 percent of the population, but, sadly, they account for one-fifth of the suicides in my State. So you have 8 percent of the population yet 20 percent of the suicides.

I have heard the anguish of family members and friends who miss the signs of mental health struggles in their loved ones. We have read and heard in the news about veterans who have taken their own lives on VA properties. They were so close to help yet felt that their situations were beyond repair. We need to close the loop to ensure that individuals at risk make contact with professionals trained to respond to address the needs of these vulnerable veterans.

Congress is actively engaged in fighting this public health crisis. In 2015, we passed and the President signed into law the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. This was an important step to providing the VA with the tools and flexibility to get help for veterans living with mental illness. We knew this was just the start.

My colleagues and I on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee are continuing to build on that foundation. I am hopeful that we can advance the three particular pieces of legislation I am about to highlight so that we can give help to veterans at risk of suicide.

Senator Warner and I recently introduced the IMPROVE Wellbeing for Veterans Act. This bill will enable the VA to harness the potential of what is already occurring in communities by allowing it to provide grant funding to nonprofits and local organizations for expanded outreach to veterans.

Our bill enhances coordination and planning of veteran mental health and suicide prevention services and will better measure the effectiveness of these programs in order to reduce the alarming number of veteran suicides.

We can work with veteran-serving nonprofits to create and use a standard measurement tool that helps us in this area.

Some nonprofit groups have implemented their own tools to track progress and monitor the results of their programs.

The VA should examine how it can work with partners to develop or adopt a measurement tool that will be used uniformly across all groups. This will allow the VA and its partners to identify which suicide prevention efforts are having the most impact so that resources can be concentrated appropriately.

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie called the IMPROVE Wellbeing for Veterans Act ``key'' to unlocking the veterans suicide crisis.

I am pleased with the support we have received from the Secretary, members of the committee, and other colleagues, and I encourage other Senators to cosponsor this important legislation that will make a positive impact on our effort to reduce veteran suicides.

It is also important to make it easier for veterans in crisis to get the help they need. That is why I teamed up with Senator Manchin to introduce the SPEED Act. This legislation would establish a three-digit number that is easy for veterans to remember in order to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. In a crisis, time is of the essence. Providing a more direct line of communication will save lives.

Created in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered over 3.5 million calls. This has been an essential tool to prevent veteran suicides. By taking an additional step to simplify the number, we can make further strides and expedite assistance to veterans in crisis.

The VA has indicated that suicide prevention is its highest clinical priority. To help improve its operation, oversight, and evaluations of its suicide prevention media outreach campaigns, we have partnered with Senator Richard Blumenthal to introduce the Reach Every Veteran in Crisis Act. This bill supports recommendations by the Government Accountability Office study that found gaps in the VA's suicide prevention media outreach activities.

By delivering an action plan for the VA to follow, we can isolate meaningful suicide prevention programs and ensure resources are focused on efforts that save lives.

An important provision of the legislation requires establishing targets to evaluate the effectiveness of the outreach campaign. It is vital that we have metrics to measure the success of the VA's mental health and suicide prevention programs.

As the chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I have been pushing the VA to incorporate measurement tools so that we can better evaluate the effectiveness of VA programs. That is why, in the subcommittee's fiscal year 2019 bill, we incorporated language requiring the VA to report to Congress the metrics it uses to evaluate the efficacy of all of its mental health and suicide prevention programs.

My colleagues and I are committed to upend the trend of veteran suicide. We are blessed to have many organizations devoted to this common goal.

Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of veterans and their families and give them hope for a brighter tomorrow.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor William J. ``Bill''

Strauss, a WWII veteran who served his country with bravery, honor, and distinction and who continues to inspire Arkansans as an active member of his community.

Bill was born on October 27, 1919. This year, his friends, family, and community have planned a number of events to celebrate his 100th birthday and recognize his endless commitment to serving others.

Bill has led a life of service. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1942 and assigned to the 73rd Field Artillery of the 9th Armored Division--the ``Phantom Division''--which valiantly helped defeat the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge.

For his selfless service, Bill earned numerous awards, including the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Battle Stars. In recent years, he was also awarded the French Legion of Honor.

When he was honorably discharged in 1945, Bill returned home and married the late Betty Dean Saulsman. The couple raised four children.

Bill moved to Salem, AR, in 1995 and has been a leader in the community. He is a lifetime member of the VFW and continues to be an active member of VFW Post 9777. He shares the memories of his WWII service and his stories of the Battle of the Bulge at schools and at various community events.

Like his fellow servicemembers, Bill defined the Greatest Generation. Their sacrifice and dedication changed the course of history. After serving in unimaginable circumstances in Europe, Bill came home and set about creating a stronger nation, something he continues today. I want to thank him for his service and wish him a very happy 100th birthday.

The Senator from Oregon.

Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleagues today to show our continued support for improvements to the VA Community Care Programs. Last year, under the leadership of Senate VA Committee Chairman Isakson and Ranking Member Tester, we passed the VA MISSION Act so veterans would have access to healthcare and services in their own communities.

I was proud to support this landmark legislation that improves how VA delivers healthcare. Earlier this month, the VA rolled out the Veterans Community Care Program. The VA MISSION Act offers veterans more options to better support their needs no matter where they live. This allows a veteran and his or her doctor to decide where it is best for the veteran patient to receive care, taking into consideration the veteran's healthcare needs and the availability and location of both VA and community care.

For veterans who live in a rural State like Arkansas, this is especially good news. Arkansas veterans can be proud of the VA facilities in our State. The VA hospitals in Little Rock and Fayetteville and those in neighboring States provide quality care and service for our veteran population. The challenge is, these are located in more urban areas.

The community-based outpatient clinics, known as CBOCs, make healthcare more accessible to veterans in rural areas, but if a veteran needs more advanced care than a CBOC can provide, it can mean a full- day trip to the nearest VA Hospital. The reforms to community care will allow more veterans to avoid that extended travel time and enable them to receive quality care within their own community.

This program expands access to more local doctors and urgent care within the VA's contracted network. Our Nation's veterans were promised access to healthcare for their service and sacrifice. The program continues our work to uphold that pledge.

The VA MISSION Act improves the VA's ability to hire high-quality healthcare professionals, expands VA caregiver benefits to veterans of all generations, and creates a process to evaluate and reform VA facilities so they can best serve veterans.

It is evident that under Secretary Wilkie's leadership, his team has been focused on executing a complete plan to implement this program and minimize any negative consequences our veterans might face as we transition to the new and updated Community Care Program.

The VA has been proactive in educating veterans about the reforms and eligibility requirements with a variety of sources of information about criteria for the new community care.

The Department has provided training to VA employees across the country on the updated criteria. Its initial outreach included talking to healthcare providers also about the changes.

There are still parts of the VA MISSION Act that have not yet been enacted, but so far, I am pleased with the rollout. My colleagues and I on the Senate VA Committee take our oversight responsibility very seriously. We will continue to closely follow the implementation and be ready to fix issues that may arise along the way so we can be sure that benefits are delivered as they were promised. The responsibility to ensure funding for community care programs falls to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

As the chairman, I will continue working to fully fund the expansion of community care, and I look forward to support from my colleagues to provide the necessary resources to ensure this program's success.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and congratulate Jo McDougall for receiving the Porter Fund's Lifetime Achievement Award. The Porter Fund's Lifetime Achievement Award is presented every 5 years to an Arkansas writer with a substantial and recognized body of work. Jo is just the fourth person to receive this honor.

Raised on her family's rice farm near DeWitt, Jo discovered her love for writing and language at a young age when her mother would read to her each night. She wrote her first poem at just 12 years old, and her father proudly displayed it on his desk. This inspired her to continue writing. Jo received an undergraduate degree in home economics from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before returning in 1980 to pursue her master of fine arts in creative writing.

After earning her MFA, Jo taught at Pittsburg State University in Kansas for over a decade, codirecting the university's creative writing department and guiding the writing center and distinguished visiting writers program. She has taught in Arkansas at Hendrix College in Conway, AR, and at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Jo's success stretches beyond the classroom. In April of 2018, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed her Poet Laureate of Arkansas. She has published six poetry collections and a memoir, ``Daddy's Money: A Memoir of

Farm and Family.'' In 2015, the University of Arkansas Press published a compilation of Jo's poetry, ``In the Home of the Famous Dead: Collected Poems.'' Her work is influenced by her Arkansas heritage and often portrays the lives of rural families and the struggles, hardships, and everyday challenges they face.

Jo McDougall has earned nationwide recognition throughout her career. She has been awarded a fellowship from the Arkansas Arts Council and was inducted into the Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame in 2006. She has won numerous awards, including the DeWitt Wallace/Reader's Digest Foundation Award, the Porter Prize, and the Academy of American Poets Prize.

I congratulate Jo for receiving the Porter Fund's Lifetime Achievement Award. Her enduring voice, observances on small-town life, and outstanding accomplishments and contributions in poetry for the last 40 years have made her more than deserving of this recognition.

Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of long-time journalist and community leader, Linda Seubold, of Fort Smith, AR who passed away on June 5, 2019.

Linda was an award-winning journalist, magazine editor, and supporter of Fort Smith. Through constant coverage and commentary, she was a vocal advocate for the region's historical, educational and cultural assets such as music, art, and entertainment. Her support was crucial for the advancement of vital institutions and attractions including the U.S. Marshals Museum, the area's public libraries, the Elvis Presley Barbershop Museum, Chaffee Crossing, and the Bass Reeves Statue.

During her 15 years at the Southwest Times Record, Linda was a news reporter and columnist, a role model, and ``newsroom mom'' to countless young reporters. She developed an incredible level of trust with local officials. Everyone knew she would be fair and thorough. Everyone knew she cared about truth and the good of the community.

Linda was also a trusted professional among her peers. One of her most difficult assignments was covering an execution by lethal injection. She was one of two reporters elected to be eyewitnesses as ``pool'' reporters, who then had to give their notes to the rest of the media. It was her assignment, and she did it with professional excellence, according to colleagues present that day who had to rely on her notes.

Her popular column was a must-read and provided an outlet for her to share her love of the community and highlight the local music and entertainment scene. This passion eventually led to her partnership with Lynn Wasson to create ``Entertainment Fort Smith.'' When the popular magazine first launched, Linda would say that they started the publication because she got tired of hearing people say there was nothing to do. As co-owner and editor, she set out to prove people wrong by publishing a monthly magazine filled with every imaginable event. Entertainment Fort Smith grew quickly to become a local staple for information on the culture, people, and attractions in the region. It also provided an outlet for her and Lynn to share their passion for education that was evident in the magazine's commitment to Fort Smith Partners in Education and all local public schools.

The last 7 years tested Linda in new ways as she fought against cancer. Her legendary smile, deep faith, and the love of those around her carried her through and she volunteered for numerous medical trials that she hoped would benefit future patients.

Linda was born in Fort Smith on October 24, 1942, graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1960, and attended Fort Smith Junior College. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Frank. They were proud parents of five children, with 12 grandchildren and three great- children.

She will be missed as a cherished mother, grandmother, friend, community advocate, and professional who truly made a difference for generations to come.

Mr. President, in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, 75,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces and 75,000 of their counterparts in the Allied Expeditionary Force launched Operation Overlord when they stormed ashore five landing areas on the beaches of Normandy, France, to break the Nazi stranglehold on Western Europe. This courageous fight to seize the beaches of Normandy changed the trajectory of history.

This week we commemorate the 75th anniversary of this historic operation and express our gratitude and appreciation to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those from Arkansas who participated in this undertaking.

Let us also reflect on the courage, heroism, and sacrifice that these selfless Allied heroes demonstrated in the face of evil. While fully aware of the dangers and the perils that were before them, they bravely accomplished their mission to defend our country, ideals, and allies.

During an interview for the Veterans History Project, Wallace Cunningham of Little Rock described the scene he saw while in Oxford, England, as the Allies were readying the D-Day invasion. ``Aircraft from one end of the horizon to the other,'' he said. He was overwhelmed by the number of aircraft in the sky, a testament to the power and force that the Allies were marshaling for this strategically vital endeavor. The sight below was similar, with boats carrying GIs across the English Channel bound for France.

Arkansans like Cecil Blair remember the rigorous training he and his fellow soldiers underwent in England in early 1944. They didn't know at the time, but they were preparing for D-Day. Blair's boat was hit before landing in France, forcing the crew to pull back and make the trek again 3 days later.

The bravery exhibited during this battle will never be forgotten. Allied forces were in German crosshairs, and they willingly faced their fears head-on. The magnitude of their actions continues to be felt and recognized to this day.

Now, 19-year old Jesse Beazley of Kentucky was on one of the ships bound for Normandy in June 1944. In an interview for the Veterans History Project nearly 60 years later, he recalled thinking in the moments leading up to the operation about how likely he was to survive, saying he probably didn't have much of a chance to live because he knew what was ahead of him and his fellow soldiers.

The other troops in his transport boat were his age, and he remembered their looks and collective feeling. He said: ``All at once it got completely silent, and young men looked like old men.''

They endured great hardships getting to the beach. Beazley's boat was blown up far from shore. He was thrown into the icy water where he was forced to dump most of his gear before swimming to safety, all while German bullets were piercing the air inches away from him. He described the devastation as ``a nightmare.''

Approximately 10,000 Allied soldiers were wounded or killed during the D-Day landings, including 6,000 Americans. Many of these heroic individuals are buried in the Normandy American Cemetery. The graves of brave Americans dot the landscape where these courageous liberators fought and died. The crosses and Stars of David that mark their places of rest shine in the sunlight on the cliffs of Normandy, giving hope for peace and reminding us of the costs of war.

The Normandy American Cemetery is the jewel of American Battle Monuments Commission sites. Approximately 1 million visitors each year pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the D-Day invasion and the battles that followed. The cemetery and visitor center recognize the sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces who served at this turning point of the war, including the story of PFC Harold Eugene Sellers of Jonesboro, AR. Sellers was a member of the Army's 101st Airborne Division. As a pathfinder, his mission was to lead the invasion by parachuting behind enemy lines into Normandy and setting up radar lights for C-47s, which had been loaded with additional paratroopers the night before the amphibious landing.

He jumped over France and was targeted by German gunfire. He didn't make it to the ground. Sellers landed in a tree not far from Utah Beach, where he was killed. He was one of the first American casualties of D-Day.

D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history. It remains one of our Nation's greatest military achievements. As a cochair of the Senate French Caucus, I was honored to introduce a resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of this operation and acknowledging the courage and sacrifice of the Allied troops who came to the aid of those oppressed by Nazi and Fascist regimes.

The courage, strength, and determination of members of the Greatest Generation who were called to defend freedom at Normandy will always serve as an inspiration for future generations of Americans. We must honor and continue to defend what they fought for and fulfill our obligation to support all of our veterans and their families.

This solemn occasion, the 75th anniversary of D-Day, deserves our utmost respect and admiration. Let us resolve to reflect on the sacrifice and heroism displayed on behalf of our Nation and the cause of freedom. Let us also commit to let it influence us in ways that challenge us to pursue the same devotional service to America as the generation that stormed the beaches of Normandy in 1944.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate David Branscum for being named Arkansas Rural Advocate of the Year by the Arkansas Rural Development Commission.

Raised in Marshall, David is a third-generation cattle rancher, farmer, and small business owner who has dedicated more than four decades of his life to rural Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in agriculture and economics, he returned home to run the family farm and lumber business. For 7 years, David represented House District 83 as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives where he served on both the agriculture and health committees and chaired the legislative council. In 2017, he resigned from the House after Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue appointed him as Arkansas director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Rural Development.

In this role, David has implemented programs across the State intended to improve the quality of life in Arkansas' rural communities. These programs include rural business development grants, single and multifamily housing loans, community facility grants, and water and waste disposal monies.

One of David's top priorities and one of the largest challenges facing Arkansas and much of rural America is access to reliable and affordable broadband connectivity. With nearly $1 billion in grant money available nationwide to expand broadband services to rural communities, he has championed this program around our State.

I congratulate David for being named the Arkansas Rural Advocate of the Year. He has spent his career working to advance the economy and improve the standard of living for rural residents throughout Arkansas, and our State is a better place because of him.

Mr. President, I would like to echo the sentiments my colleagues have expressed in appreciation of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.

While it may seem like the Members of this Chamber, much like America itself, are strongly divided on issues of national policy, I can say, without a doubt, that we are all united in support of our troops and their efforts to protect and defend our Nation and its ideals. That is why I am appreciative of the opportunity to join with my colleagues today to thank the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coastguardsmen working tirelessly to protect the American people from the multitude of threats that face our Nation.

The men and women who wear our Nation's uniform selflessly serve. They are fully aware of the risks they face. Despite that, they bravely put themselves in harm's way to defend our country, ideals, and allies around the world.

They didn't choose this life to seek recognition, awards or honors. Like those who wore the uniform before

them, they chose the path of a higher calling. They chose it as a way to use their talents for the greater good. The men and women who serve in our military embody what it means to be a giver.

I know my fellow Arkansans share my gratitude and appreciation for all of our military personnel and their families who sacrifice at home while their loved ones are abroad.

Arkansas has a storied military heritage and a long and proud history of supporting our Nation's defense. Troops stationed in the State served our country honorably even before it was admitted to the Union. Today, Arkansans are stationed around the globe, and our personnel at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Camp Robinson, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Pine Bluff Arsenal, and Fort Chaffee continue to make the Natural State proud.

We highlight their service during the month of May, which includes six military-related national observance days, as a way to express our gratitude. That gratitude endures in perpetuity.

We simply cannot thank our servicemembers enough for the tremendous sacrifice they made to ensure that we continue to live in the greatest, freest country that the world has ever known.

As the son of an Air Force master sergeant, I learned at a young age about the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make. I also learned very early on that military families face unique challenges. It truly is a family affair.

My father joined the National Guard while he was in high school, and while still in high school, his unit was shipped out to prepare for World War II. He remained in the Air Force long after the war was over, serving over 20 years in uniform. The example set by my father's military career--and the lessons we learned growing up in a military family--helped my siblings and me to prepare for a productive service- centered life. The experience taught us one of the most valuable lessons which I continue to carry with me today. Through their service to our country, the men and women of our military are part of something much bigger than themselves.

My father was not only my hero, but as a World War II veteran, he and his fellow servicemembers in my hometown of Fort Smith were embraced in the same manner by the community as a whole. The respect and admiration our community displayed for military members was not faked or forced. It was genuine.

It remains just as strong today in communities across our great Nation. While those displays may be more publicly visible during National Military Appreciation Month, the feelings of respect, admiration, and gratitude will carry on long after the end of this month. Our Nation is eternally grateful for the sacrifice of every servicemember working to keep America safe, strong, and free.

It is a real honor to be down here with my colleague from Arkansas, and we greatly appreciate your service. Congratulations on your book, which tells the story of Arlington and what a very special place it is--truly hallowed ground.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I am pleased to join many of my colleagues today to celebrate National Small Business Week.

Nearly every day, we do business with these local retailers or use products they had a hand in creating somewhere along the supply chain. Still, it can be easy to focus on the larger companies that dominate America's economic landscape, but this week is a time to shift our attention to the entrepreneurs and innovators who reach for their pieces of the American dream and work tirelessly to achieve them. This is no small feat, but it happens over and over again each day as it has throughout our Nation's history.

This week, we have the opportunity to recognize and commend those who take this leap of faith while generating positive economic activity and benefits that help to strengthen and sustain the system that has created more wealth for more people than any other in human history. This system is capitalism. It underpins our society and is marked by the freedom and ability to make our own economic decisions. Those decisions have often led Americans to start businesses and become their own bosses. As a result, America's small businesses are now, without question, the backbone of our country.

As the Small Business Administration has reported, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the United States each year. It is clear that small businesses drive the U.S. economy.

I was recently in North Central Arkansas, where I met with several small business owners and their employees. This time last year, I toured small businesses in South and Southwest Arkansas to highlight and learn more about the impact they have on our State. Representatives from the Small Business Administration were on hand for some of these visits to underscore the Agency's willingness and desire to help promote and assist small businesses, owners, and entrepreneurs with establishing or expanding their companies.

At each stop, the conversations provided me with invaluable insight as to the challenges and opportunities businesses face. Inevitably, the discussions also turned to how the economic climate has changed for the better in recent years. Whether they have been changes in the Tax Code that have helped to make small businesses even more competitive, including the qualified business deduction, altering the estate tax, or increasing bonus depreciation, as well as having provided regulatory relief and certainty, we have witnessed how these pro-growth policies have not only helped to drastically uplift and improve America's economy but how they have also given business owners and entrepreneurs the confidence they have been lacking for so many years about whether to invest or expand their opportunities.

According to the Small Business Administration, Arkansas is home to over 247,000 small businesses, which is over 99.3 percent of all businesses in the State. These enterprises employ over 479,000 Arkansans, which makes it easy to see how much of an impact they have on our State's economic climate. In addition to powering the economy, small businesses also contribute to the communities they operate in. They embody the American values and ideals that have helped to build our country--hard work, a willingness to take risks, and a vision for opportunity. That is why we recognized the importance of entrepreneurs by passing a resolution designating May 5 through 11 as National Small Business Week.

I encourage people across my home State and throughout the country to support small businesses in their communities, especially this week. I also encourage my colleagues to continue listening to the concerns and to the advice of our entrepreneurs and of those they employ.

We can build on our positive economic growth by pursuing more policies that will help our small businesses succeed. The show of support certainly means a lot to the folks who own these companies and their employees who count on them to earn their livelihoods. It also serves as a way to further cultivate and reward the entrepreneurial spirit that is at the very heart of America.

I applaud the men and women in Arkansas and across the United States who work incredibly hard as they run their own businesses and chase the American dream. This week, we celebrate them and our Nation's intrepid, enterprising legacy that helps make us who we are.

Madam President, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization turned 70 last month. Congressional leaders invited NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to deliver an address before a joint meeting of Congress to mark the historic occasion.

The Secretary General began his speech with a vivid description of two monuments outside of the organization's headquarters in Belgium-- one, a piece of the Berlin Wall and the other, a twisted steel beam from the north tower of the World Trade Center. Both serve a special purpose as powerful reminders for NATO members of where we have been and are going and our commitment to one another.

The United States and our transatlantic allies have seen the world change considerably during the seven decades of NATO's existence. The threat posed by the Soviet Union--one of the main reasons the alliance was formed--no longer exists, but the challenge of an increasing and hostile Russia has now taken its place.

Since Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, Vladimir Putin has stepped up his acts of aggression by arming pro-Russia rebels in Ukraine, carrying out bombing campaigns on behalf of a murderous regime in Syria, and conducting cyber attacks on Western democracies.

Russia continues to seize land and expand its presence in Georgia, illegally occupying roughly 20 percent of Georgia's internationally recognized territory. On top of this, Russia has deployed mobile, nuclear-capable missiles in Europe. This clear violation of the INF Treaty will have long-term ramifications for NATO countries.

As the Secretary General stated in his joint session address, ``an agreement that is only respected by one side will not keep us safe.'' We don't have to return to a Cold War era arms race as a result of Russia's actions. However, as Secretary General Stoltenberg noted, we must ``prepare for a world without the INF Treaty and take the necessary steps to provide credible and effective deterrence.''

While the threat posed by a resurgent Russia reinforces the need for a strong NATO, it is far from the only concern facing the alliance. China's expanding global influence and the aspirations of smaller rogue nations, like North Korea and Iran, will continue to challenge the West moving forward.

Additionally, while we have made great strides to eliminate ISIS on the battlefield, the threat posed by radical Islamic terrorists remains ever present and knows no boundaries.

The horrific Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka have been linked to the terror group, proving that it clearly continues to export its tactics and recruitment well beyond Syria and Iraq.

There is no doubt that Western democracies remain squarely on ISIS's target list. In fact, the propaganda arm of ISIS just released a video of the group's leader, where he makes that threat abundantly clear.

Amid all of these challenges, NATO stands as a very visible deterrent. When half of the world's military stands together, bad actors take notice. Collectively, NATO members also make up half of the world's economic

might. The prosperity of NATO members makes the alliance that much stronger. With that prosperity, however, comes responsibility.

The strength of NATO is contingent on each other and every member paying its fair share. Every member nation must meet the agreed-upon defense spending levels. Secretary General Stoltenberg stressed this point during his address, and this message has begun to resonate with NATO members. An additional $41 billion has been spent on defense by our European allies and Canada in the last 2 years alone. That number is expected to reach $100 billion--$100 billion--by the end of the year.

President Trump deserves credit for bringing about this sea change. His words to allies not living up to their commitments were conveyed in a very direct manner. NATO must be a fair alliance. The President's tough-love message has worked. The majority of our NATO allies have pledged to meet their financial obligations by 2024. The United States has been and must continue to be a strong example in this regard.

This is an important point to remember as we fulfill our funding obligations for fiscal year 2020. We must build on the progress we have made in recent years to end the chronic uncertainty that has negatively impacted our military readiness for far too long.

The Trump administration and Congress's shared commitment to our national security has helped to renew America's strength and given a blueprint to our NATO allies for how they, too, can help achieve their share of our common defense.

Congress has ushered through the largest investment in our national defense since the Reagan administration, and President Trump has initiated the modernization of our nuclear arsenal and a national strategy for missile defense. These were not easy lifts, but the United States has made them all happen. Our allies can as well.

We have accomplished a great deal together in the past, but many challenges remain for NATO in the future. As we mark the 70th year of the alliance, we do so with the knowledge that our friends from across the Atlantic will continue to be trusted partners who stand by each other in our hours of need.

With that, I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleagues in recognizing Women's History Month and celebrating the countless women who have shaped our Nation and those who continue to devote their time and energy to the pursuit of equality here at home and abroad.

Women have demonstrated incredible perseverance in the face of adversity. Their stories of fighting for equal opportunity are ingrained in the history of our country. We wouldn't be the great Nation that we are without those who paved the path for a more promising future for women.

We honor the individuals whose remarkable courage and dedication to challenging the status quo helped advance women's rights and those who followed their dreams while breaking the glass ceiling.

In 1932, Arkansas elected Hattie Caraway to the U.S. Senate, which made her the first woman elected to this body. She broke barriers, changed norms, and helped lay the foundation for the new role women were beginning to be recognized as deserving to play in the Senate throughout her legislative career.

Senator Caraway served nearly 14 years in the Senate, where in 1933 she was the first woman to chair a Senate committee and in 1943 became the first woman to preside officially over the Senate.

Arkansans are particularly proud that our legacy in the U.S. Senate includes electing the first woman to serve in this Chamber. The path that Hattie Caraway trailblazed for more women to enter the ranks of the world's greatest deliberative body has, without a doubt, made the Senate a better, stronger institution and has benefited our Nation immensely.

Today, more women are serving in Congress than ever before. We need to look no further than Hattie Caraway to understand the magnitude of her decision to step forward and serve her State and country.

More women are also answering the call to serve our Nation in uniform. Women are the fastest growing demographic of veterans, but many Department of Veterans Affairs facilities don't have the ability to provide equitable care or services to our women veterans.

This Congress, Senator Tester and I have reintroduced legislation to eliminate barriers to care and services that many women veterans face. The legislation is appropriately named for Deborah Sampson--the Deborah Sampson Act--which honors the service and sacrifice of the American Revolution hero who actually disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army.

We can be proud of Deborah Sampson and the countless women patriots who have followed in her footsteps.

We must update VA services to support the unique needs of our entire veteran population, including the growing number of women relying on VA for care.

While opportunities remain to advance women's equality, the United States recently took an important step to empower women worldwide. Congress approved and President Trump signed into law the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act. Senator Cardin and I introduced the legislation to eliminate global gender-related barriers and empower female entrepreneurs around the world.

In some parts of the world, women are pushed so far to the sidelines that they are denied access to even the most basic financial services. Cultural and historical barriers prevent women from launching a business, building savings, and supporting economic growth in their communities. Leveling the playing field will help the world economy grow substantially.

Providing women access to tools for economic success supports global prosperity. Our country can lead by example and help deliver these tools and empower women. I look forward to seeing women succeed because of this legislative effort.

I am a dad of three daughters and a grandfather to two little girls. I want women across the globe to have the same access to resources and opportunities that my girls have because I have seen with my own eyes how limitless their potential is.

Earlier this year, President Trump launched the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative to empower women around the world to fulfill their economic potential. The Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act is an essential piece of this plan to deliver global results.

Empowering women strengthens families, communities, and our Nation. As we take this time to reflect on the challenges women have overcome and still face, let us continue the momentum started generations ago by hard-working, courageous, and determined women who envisioned a country full of opportunities for success for all.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the contributions of Euba Harris-Winton to Fort Smith and the State of Arkansas. She passed away on Monday, March 11, at the age of 95 and leaves behind a large, loving family and countless Arkansans whom she helped and inspired throughout her life.

Euba was born on June 26, 1923, to Rev. Daniel Haven Edward Harris and Martha T. Hill Harris in Cotton Plant, AR. Her school years were spent in Fort Smith where she attended Howard Elementary School and Lincoln High School. After attending Westark Community College and Philander Smith College, she returned to Fort Smith to raise a family with her husband, Ellsworth Daniel Winton. They had 10 children: five girls and five boys.

She was a devout member of the United Methodist Church, and her great faith and passion for service led her to become the executive director of the Mallalieu Community Development Center in 1970. The center's mission was to strengthen the outreach ministry of the church. As part of that mission, she worked on efforts to fight poverty, improve substandard housing, increase educational opportunities, and personally provide help to anyone who asked. She led the organization for 25 years and improved the lives of countless Arkansans in the process.

Throughout her life, she met with leaders at all levels of government to advocate for others and served on numerous boards and councils. In an article in the Lincoln Echo several years ago, Bennie Mae Ware Gunn remarked that, ``Euba is known and respected for being both relentless and resourceful in her pursuit of justice and opportunities for others. However, she is also known for her sensitivity and compassion.''

That is certainly true of my experience with her and that of so many others she influenced or helped over the years. I was honored to know Mrs. Euba and will personally miss her example, kindness, advice, and willingness to help others.

She was a rare individual who never stopped fighting to improve the world

around her and was an inspiration to us all. I know her legacy lives on through her extended family and in every person she touched with her compassion, strength, and wisdom.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and congratulate my alma mater, Northside High School in Fort Smith, AR, on winning 6A State championships in both boys and girls basketball this year.

The high school basketball season was as exciting as ever in the Natural State, but folks in my hometown of Fort Smith were especially enthusiastic when tournament time came around because both the boys' and girls' teams had advanced to postseason play. Both squads have won multiple State titles, and the fans were eager to add another this season.

Both the boys' and girls' teams advanced through their respective tournaments and made it to the finals, overcoming challenges from talented teams from across Arkansas. The championship games were incredibly competitive, and each came down to the wire.

The Lady Bears faced off against Bentonville in their State title game. Led by Jersey Wolfenbarger's 21-point effort, including the game- winning basket as time expired, the team ended the contest on a 7-0 run to claim the school's seventh girls basketball State championship since 1999. Each of those titles was won under the direction of coach Rickey Smith. The team ended the season ranked 17th in the Nation in USA Today's high school rankings.

Not to be outdone, the Northside Grizzlies boys' team also had a memorable championship game that included a half-court basket to end the first half. Facing off against Bryant High School, Northside led for most of the contest. After Bryant tied the game late in the fourth quarter, Northside came up with a three-point basket and held onto the lead until the end of regulation. Junior center Jaylen Williams' play-- he scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds--earned him the MVP designation. The championship was the 11th in school history. The Grizzlies were led by coach Eric Burnett who believed his team was built for a good run in the tournament because of the difficulty of its nonconference schedule. This was their third consecutive championship game appearance, having won a championship in 2017 as well.

Needless to say, it was a very special day in Hot Springs, where the title games were played, and in the Fort Smith community, as each team brought home State championships in the same year for the second time since 2007.

As a former Northside Grizzly and someone with family roots in Fort Smith, I am proud that both the Grizzly and Lady Bears basketball teams earned the highest achievement possible in our State. To do so in the same year is an even greater testament to the dedication and passion of the players, coaches, student body, administrators, and the fans of these terrific teams.

Congratulations again to the Grizzly and Lady Bears squads on this tremendous accomplishment, and I look forward to celebrating with them, Northside High School, and the Fort Smith community in the near future.

Mr. President.