Floor Statements

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski), and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Portman).

Mr. President, today, I am honored to recognize the extraordinary service of Brig. Gen. Gentry W. Boswell on the occasion of his retirement. His 31 years of service to our Nation is the reflection of a true and devoted public servant.

General Boswell received his commission in 1991 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Delta State University, and he also earned a master of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In addition, General Boswell studied at the Squadron Officer School, the Air Command and Staff College, the Joint Forces Command Advanced Warfighting School, the Air War College, the Keenan-Flagler Enterprise Leadership School, and the Naval War College. General Boswell's distinguished military career encompassed operational tours flying the B-1B, B-52, RC-135, and E-6B aircraft, and he accumulated more than 4,900 flight hours, including over 500 combat hours in Southwest Asia, the Balkans, and the Horn of Africa.

South Dakotans were fortunate to have General Boswell fulfill five separate military assignments at Ellsworth Air Force Base, serving as assistant director of operations for the 77th Bomb Squadron from 1999 to 2002, director of operations for the 37th Bomb Squadron from 2007 to 2008, commander of the 28th Operations Support Squadron from 2008 to 2010, vice commander of the 28th Bomb Wing from 2012 to 2014, and commander of the 28th Bomb Wing from 2015 to 2017.

During his assignments at Ellsworth AFB, General Boswell developed a culture of putting the airmen first, and he engaged actively in partnerships with civilian leadership in Rapid City and other Black Hills communities to improve the quality of life for those in uniform and their families. In addition, as commander of the 28th Operations Support Squadron, General Boswell was instrumental in advancing the expansion of the Powder River Training Complex. The expanded air space represents the largest military operations area in the lower 48 States, spanning the skies over North Dakota and South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. This expansive training airspace allows Air Force pilots and crews to perform the critical training they need in conditions that closely resemble combat missions.

General Boswell's final assignment for the Air Force was serving as the director of manpower, organization, and resources. He led the management and oversight of the Air Force's manpower enterprise, which encompasses more than 694,000 total force personnel and the programming of more than $47 billion in annual funding.

General Boswell has received several prestigious awards for his outstanding military service, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oakleaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oakleaf clusters, and the Air Medal with two oakleaf clusters.

We are thrilled that General Boswell has chosen to retire in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he will have plenty of opportunities to dedicate more time to hunting. I join all South Dakotans in extending our congratulations to General Boswell upon his retirement and for his outstanding military career.

Mr. President, today, I recognize Kate Lundberg, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all of the hard work she has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota over the past several months.

Kate is a recent graduate of George Washington University in Washington, DC, having earned degrees in international affairs and political science. This summer, Kate plans to continue serving the American people by working on Capitol Hill. She is a hard worker who has been dedicated to getting the most out of her internship experience.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Kate for all of the fine work she has done and wish her continued success in the years to come.

Mr. President, today, I recognize Ben Schelhaas, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all of the hard work he has done for me, my staff, and the State of South Dakota over the past several months.

Ben is a recent graduate of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, having earned degrees in history and political science. This fall, Ben plans to pursue a master's degree in history at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. He is a hard worker who has been dedicated to getting the most out of his internship experience.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Ben for all of the fine work he has done and wish him continued success in the years to come.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Arkansas (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), the Senator from Utah (Mr. Lee), the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski), and the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Toomey).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn), the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz), and the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski).