Kelly Ayotte

Mr. President, I wish to honor the life of William ``Blake'' Marston, a Navy SEAL from New Hampshire who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

Blake Marston was an extraordinary man who served our Nation with honor, courage, and commitment. His decision to become a Navy SEAL and take risks in training and combat missions alike speaks to his love of country and his dedication to serving his fellow Americans. His ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty leaves all New Hampshire citizens in Blake's debt.

Blake grew up in Bedford, NH, where he excelled as a student athlete and was known by his coaches for being a hard worker and dedicated team member. He loved baseball and was an alpine ski racer. It is clear that Blake

was special from an early age. From his involvement in the church youth group, to his mentorship of young athletes, Blake was devoted to helping others.

At Stonehill College, Blake majored in criminal justice and studio arts, and it was during his senior year that he decided that he wanted to become a Navy SEAL--a member of the most elite special forces unit. Blake's athleticism, leadership, and determination provided him with the physical and mental toughness he needed to endure one of the most grueling training experiences in the world in order to become a SEAL. And he succeeded.

Blake's service to our Nation included two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He never let up on his desire to improve and be the best SEAL he could be. Just as he put in the time in his backyard with his dad honing his baseball skills, he also worked tirelessly at being the best that he could be as a defender of our country.

Blake died training to conduct the kinds of missions that keep Americans safe. We owe our freedom and security to Blake and the men and women like him in our armed services.

During the Celebration of Life service held in Blake's honor, his family, friends, and classmates described a young man who was kind, compassionate, thoughtful, and funny--a gentle giant, yet also a highly trained, elite warrior. In describing his devotion to his fellow SEALs, Blake once remarked to his father, ``You know, Dad, I can't possibly imagine being in any other profession where I have such respect and love for my teammates.''

Blake will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, a hero surrounded by his brothers in arms.

My thoughts and prayers are with Blake's parents Nancy and Bill, and sister Emily, who have lost a loving son and brother. May God bless Blake and his family.

Madam President, I wish to recognize the extraordinary life of my friend Chip Kennett, who passed away on January 17 after a courageous 2-year battle against cancer.

Bayard Winslow ``Chip'' Kennett II was born and raised in Conway, and he was a proud New Hampshire native son. The Kennetts are pillars of the Conway community whose roots in the Mount Washington Valley go back generations, and I have been fortunate to know Chip's family and to witness their countless contributions to business and civic life in New Hampshire.

Chip carried on his family's tradition of public service when he first came to Capitol Hill to serve his home State of New Hampshire. He served as a congressional staffer for nearly 8 years--first as a legislative correspondent to my predecessor Senator Judd Gregg and later as a policy aide for former Senator John E. Sununu. More recently, he was a senior aide to my colleague from Maine, Senator Susan Collins. When I first came to the Senate in 2011 and did not yet have a full legislative staff in place, Chip generously offered his counsel on national security and defense issues, for which I was very grateful.

While working for Senator Gregg, Chip met the love of his life, Sheila, who would become his wife.

In October 2012, Chip--seemingly healthy and active at the age of 31--was diagnosed with Stage IV nonsmoker's lung cancer. There was no cure. In the face of an unimaginable prognosis, Chip understood better than most that life is a gift, and he inspired us all with his determination to live his life to the fullest--making the most of the time he had with his wife Sheila and their two young children, Joe and Crosby. Together, they found joy and meaning in simply being together during everyday, ordinary moments--resolving to be ``present and grateful.'' From family dinners to rooting for his favorite football team on ``Patriots Football Sunday'', Chip savored the blessings of family and friendship.

True to his compassionate nature, he turned his diagnosis into a cause for good--becoming a counselor to others battling cancer, raising public awareness of the disease and the need to reduce the stigma associated with lung cancer. The blog that Chip and Sheila started provided a ``Playbook for Living'' that served as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others who were fighting similar battles with cancer. Chip also put his Capitol Hill experience to work as an advocate for lung cancer research, and his efforts are credited with helping spur changes in Medicare coverage for lung cancer treatments--a legacy that will continue to touch many lives.

Chip summed up his approach to living with cancer at a hearing last May before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, where he testified that ``thanks to medical breakthroughs, I have been able to experience many quality filled days. We have enjoyed spending holidays with friends and family. I have been able to continue working full time. As a family, we have sat down at the dinner table together, have attended innumerable swim lessons, soccer and tee ball practices for my son on Saturday mornings, and have sat in a church pew together on Sunday mornings. In other words, we have stayed busy--busy LIVING with cancer.''

Chip's strong network of family and close friends was extremely important to him. He was always happiest being around the people he loved. After his diagnosis, his family, friends, coworkers, and former Hill colleagues--affectionately known as Team Kennett--mobilized to not only support Chip and his family but also to support their efforts to aid others fighting cancer.

The courage and strength with which Chip and his family faced his illness is an inspiration to us all. Perhaps Chip's greatest legacy is the valuable lesson he taught us all about how to live fully in each moment.

Chip was a wonderful, smart, and fun-loving man, and he had a big heart. It was a joy to know him and to call him a friend, and his loss is simply heartbreaking.

My heart and thoughts are with all of Team Kennett, including Sheila, Joe, and Crosby; as well as Chip's parents Bayard and Theresa Kennett of Conway; and his brother and sister-in-law Tanner and Sarah Kennett of North Conway.

Mr. President, I wish to recognize the exceptional service and the extraordinary life of Lt. Col. Stephanie Riley of Concord, NH.

Born and raised in Henniker, NH, Stephanie graduated from Henniker High School in 1984. An excellent student, Stephanie attended St. Paul's advance studies program the summer before her senior year and was the valedictorian of her high school class. In 1988, she graduated cum laude from Boston College's School of Nursing and in 1989 was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force, where she completed a 4-month nursing internship at Travis Air Force Base in California. Following her internship, she was stationed at the Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana for the remainder of her 3-year tour.

In 1992, Colonel Riley entered the Inactive Ready Reserve and became a civilian travel nurse. Showing both her love for the military and her home State, she returned to New Hampshire in 2000 and joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves in Westover, MA, and then the NH Air National Guard in 2003. She subsequently volunteered for a tour abroad and deployed to Qatar in support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She held appointments in the Medical Group as officer in charge of staff development, assistant chief nurse, and the chief of education and training. Colonel Riley was employed by the New Hampshire Army National Guard as a case manager and was active on State and national committees. She became a voice for National Guard members and New Hampshire veterans and was a key member of New Hampshire's State Veteran's Advisory Committee, the Military Officers Association of America, and the national and State chapters of the National Guard Association. She served in key leadership positions on the New Hampshire Legislative Commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI.

In October 2013, Steph was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, and in what may have been her most heroic effort, she channeled her energy into a personal and sustained effort to promote health screenings and cancer awareness. She posted openly on social media and spoke courageously about her decision to undergo a preemptive double mastectomy. She sparked a team, ``Steph Strong,'' that helped raise several thousand dollars for Concord Hospital. Her important message for all was to take preventative health screening seriously.

From her extensive military service, to her work as a civilian nurse, Stephanie devoted her life to serving others--a commitment that endured even while battling her own illness. She was taken from us far too soon but her legacy of compassion and her inspiring dedication to caring for her fellow citizens will live on through all those whose lives she touched.

Steph leaves behind the love of her life, her husband Shawn Riley, a deputy fire chief with the Laconia Fire Department, and their son Shane, age 13, and daughter Sammie Riley, age 9. We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Lt. Col. Stephanie Riley, an extraordinary woman and proud New Hampshire daughter who served our State and Nation with honor, courage, and dedication. She represented the very best of our State, and I ask my colleagues to join me in sending Shawn and his family our deepest condolences and our gratitude for Steph's life and for her work.