Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from the further consideration of H.R. 5509 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. President, I know of no other further debate on the bill.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5787 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 767.

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

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

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 7327, which was received from the House.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 704, H.R. 4819.

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

I know of no further debate on the bill.

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

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 544, S. 1023.

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

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

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

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 410, S. 79.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to and that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time.

I know of no further debate on the bill.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a correction to an appointment made on December 18, 2018, be printed in the Record.

For the information of the Senate, this correction is clerical and does not change membership of the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission made by the appointment.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11:30 a.m., Thursday, December 20; further, that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, and the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day; finally, that following leader remarks, the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the career of Edward ``Sandy'' Sanders who is retiring as Mayor of Fort Smith, AR, capping a lifetime of service in the public and private sectors.

Sandy Sanders received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Oklahoma and spent 32 years with Whirlpool Corporation, retiring as the human resources manager in the Fort Smith Division. During his corporate career, Sandy was well known as a volunteer and leader among countless community organizations and events. Locally he served as the chair and president of numerous charitable boards including the Fort Smith Symphony, the Old Fort Days Rodeo, Bost Human Development Center, Leadership Fort Smith Alumni, the Fort Smith Port Authority, and the Fort Smith Park Board.

His leadership skills were also appreciated at the State level and beyond. He was appointed by the Governor to the Arkansas Aeronautic Association and also served as President of the Arkansas-Louisiana District Exchange Clubs and National President of the Association of Community College Trustees.

Sandy has always looked for ways to improve opportunities for young people and create a well-educated workforce. His efforts included serving on the Governor's Apprenticeship Coordination Steering Committee and the Southern States Apprenticeship Committee. He was a member of the board of directors of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce and continuously provided a bridge between business and community needs.

After his retirement from Whirlpool, Sanders was called over and over to fill positions of need in the community. First, as interim director of the Children's Emergency Shelter and then as first executive director of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, which was created to transition former military property into a job-creating asset for the region. This was supposed to be a temporary position, but Sandy stayed for 6 years and laid the groundwork for what we now know as Chaffee Crossing.

He probably thought he was officially retired when he left that position. However, the community called again, this time to run for public office. Sandy was elected mayor of Fort Smith in 2010. His combination of experience in the private and public sectors made him the ideal person to lead the city, help the area attract new jobs and improve services to the community. During his tenure, the city has seen impressive growth and success in business and the arts.

I know he is especially proud of the events he led during his last year in office to celebrate Fort Smith's bicentennial. In many ways, his leadership illustrates everything he hoped to highlight about the city. He has a rich history in the area, but has always looked forward.

Sandy has received many accolades for his work over the years, but I know from our visits that he is more interested in the success of others. His work to promote education and provide opportunities for young people will continue to benefit generations to come.

He is a man of great faith who uses his gifts however they are needed at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, whether that is serving on the building committee or singing in the choir. He and his wife, Dr. Sandi Sanders, have been married for 54 years and are very proud of their two daughters and six grandchildren. Beyond all of his personal accomplishments, he would tell you that his family is his greatest legacy.

I appreciate Sandy's friendship and am grateful for his years of service and efforts devoted to the State of Arkansas.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 424, S. 2200.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 666, S. 3085.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 677, S. 3367.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 3444 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

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