Katie Boyd Britt

Mr. President, I ask for 2 minutes to be equally divided between myself and the Senator from Connecticut.

Mr. President, the Senate has a spine. That is exactly what we are doing here today is standing with a steel spine. We are standing against Putin's aggression.

You saw, this week, him actually attack innocent Ukrainians. Ballistic drones go, hit breweries. They hit innocent civilians working in warehouses. This is enough. Today, we stand together to say: We are going to cut off the flow of money to Putin.

Senator Lindsey Graham said that this part, the part that our colleague from Kentucky wants to rip out, was actually the heart of this bill; that this was the way to hit Putin where it hurt most.

Section 113 was carefully negotiated, and these authorities expire and are not permanent.

Today, we send a message to Vladimir Putin, and we give President Trump the tools he needs to end this war.

Mr. President, I am honored to recognize the life, legacy, and extraordinary service of Mobile native Sheriff Sam Cochran. After nearly five decades of service to our great State, Sheriff Cochran will be remembered for his extraordinary integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment to protecting others.

Sheriff Cochran was born and raised in Mobile, a community he spent a lifetime serving. After graduating from McGill-Toolen High School and earning both a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in public administration from the University of South Alabama, he began a lifelong career in law enforcement. He was nominated to and graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy, a testament to his character, leadership, and heart for public service.

For over 31 years, Sheriff Cochran served with the Mobile Police Department, beginning as a police cadet and eventually rising through the ranks to become chief of police. During his decade as chief of MPD, he earned the trust and respect of both his fellow officers and the citizens he served through his principled leadership, dedication to bettering his community, and steadfast commitment to public safety.

In 2006, the Mobile County community elected him to serve as sheriff. During his four terms, Sheriff Cochran created an effective and respected law

enforcement department. His efforts resulted in a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. His proudest accomplishment, though, was leading the fight against the methamphetamine epidemic and championing legislation that strengthened controls on pseudoephedrine purchases, which dramatically reduced methamphetamine production across our State. His efforts no doubt saved thousands of lives and protected countless families in Mobile and across the State of Alabama.

Sheriff Cochran was committed to sharing knowledge, wisdom, and inspiration with the next generation of law enforcement officers. His mentorship prepared and encouraged many to lead with the same integrity, devotion, and kindness he exhibited throughout his career. In 2015, he was appointed to serve as a commissioner on the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission. His work helped shape future law enforcement officers, properly set training standards, and influenced officials throughout Alabama.

Sheriff Cochran's service extended far beyond the badge. He devoted decades of his life to organizations that uplifted and protected others, including the Drug Education Council, where he served for 26 years and was honored with the Joseph Treadwell Award in recognition of his leadership in prevention and education. He also generously gave his time to the Child Advocacy Center, Penelope House, the Alabama Safety Institute, the Boy Scouts of America, the Mobile County Communications District, and numerous other civic organizations dedicated to strengthening our communities.

Those who knew Sheriff Cochran understood that, to him, leadership was never about recognition; it was about service, earning trust, leading with character, and leaving every institution stronger than he found it. His life stands as a testament to the enduring values of duty, honor, and selfless service.

Today, I proudly honor Sheriff Sam Cochran, his lifetime of faithful service, and his passion for leadership. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. May we honor his memory by striving to serve our communities with the same integrity, humility, and dedication that defined his remarkable life.

Mr. President, today I rise to remember the exceptional and abundant life of Benjamin Russell. Mr. Russell, or as many called him, ``Mr. Ben,'' was not just an icon in the Alexander City community; he was truly a trailblazer for the entire State of Alabama. As we celebrate his life, we honor his entrepreneurial spirit, boundless curiosity, and remarkable generosity. When you think of a life well-lived, Benjamin Russell's 88 years here on earth immediately come to mind.

Mr. Russell was a lifelong resident of Alexander City, attending Benjamin Russell High School, named after his grandfather; Baylor School; Indian Springs School; Mercer University; and the University of Alabama. After graduating, he worked for Russell Mills for a decade before being elected president of Russell Lands, a family land and timber business. What started as a 15-person company grew into a four- pronged organization, shaping the Lake Martin region as we know it today--all thanks to the steady leadership, vision, and dedication of Mr. Russell. Russell Lands' employment of over 500 people, operation in several counties across Alabama, and continuous investment in Lake Martin's property value are in large part thanks to Mr. Russell's tireless work and devotion.

Russell Lands has continued to expand, now owning one of Alabama's top golf courses, the Willow Point Golf and Country Club, creating an entire marine division devoted to four full-service marinas on Lake Martin, and starting ECON Company to promote the use of waste wood as an energy alternative to fuel oil. Mr. Russell's leadership has been critical to identifying needs around his community and investing in smart solutions, earning him induction into the University of Alabama Business Hall of Fame.

Mr. Russell's legacy extends far beyond his exceptional professional success. In 1987, he founded CARE, the world's largest private relief and development agency. As its longtime chair, he helped raise over $9 million for the humanitarian agency through the campaign, CARE Alabama. Alongside his beloved wife and high school sweetheart Luanne, Mr. Russell cofounded Children's Harbor, a nonprofit devoted to serving the families of seriously and chronically ill children. He was a generous contributor and supporter of the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children at Children's of Alabama, Alexander City's Russell Medical Center, and the Benjamin Russell Center for Advanced Care. His philanthropy was transformational to the lives of children living with serious illnesses, as well as their families and loved ones.

His zeal and passion for life were evident to all who had the fortune of knowing him. Mr. Russell poured into a constantly evolving list of hobbies, from aviation to scuba diving, to demolition, to water conservation. He was endlessly curious, brave, and rich in experience. He had an insatiable desire to live life to the fullest and wore many hats throughout his 88 years: author, welder, artist, Eagle Scout, skydiver, hot air balloon aeronaut--the list goes on. But his most treasured titles were husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. His loss will leave an irreplaceable hole in his family and community.

It is an honor and a privilege to remember and honor Mr. Russell's consequential life. He was a cornerstone of Lake Martin and a driving force behind Alabama's success, and he leaves an indelible mark on our great State through his entrepreneurial spirit, overflowing generosity, and love of adventure. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, Alabamians and Americans who visit beautiful Lake Martin, and generations to come who will continue to benefit from his vision and leadership. May we all look to his example and be inspired to leave our own communities better than we found them.