Floor Statements

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, I rise today to honor a fallen hero, Assistant Fire Chief Dave Fischer of Sturgis, SD.

Dave, a 22-year member of the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department, also served in the South Dakota National Guard's 82nd Civil Support Team based out of Rapid City.

On Friday, September 7, 2018, Dave dutifully responded to the report of a structure fire in nearby Tilford. Like so many times before, Dave was one of the first Sturgis firefighters to arrive at the scene, where a single-family home was engulfed in flames and beginning to threaten other nearby homes and families.

According to reports, Dave was attempting to move one of the fire department's command vehicles just north of the home when a propane tank exploded, a piece of which struck him and his vehicle, killing him instantly. Both he and the owner of the home, Raymond Bachmeier, perished on that tragic day. We send our sympathies to all of the friends and family members they leave behind.

Dave's death is a tremendous loss for the State of South Dakota, especially the Sturgis area and surrounding communities, where he lived almost his entire life.

Dave exemplified what it meant to serve others. He was a member of the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years. He was active in the Sturgis emergency medical service, where his wife still serves as the director. And Dave served in the National Guard for 23 years, serving a tour in Iraq with the 216th Engineer Detachment Firefighting Team in 2004 and 2005. As a soldier, a firefighter, and a first responder, Dave spent over half his life selflessly putting others first, willing to risk his life to keep his fellow neighbors and fellow Americans safe.

By all accounts, Dave was a true hero. His commander in the South Dakota National Guard, LTC Dale Gadbois, called Dave one ``of the finest soldiers I knew who would help anyone and everyone in times of need. From the beginning it was obvious he put his service before himself and paid the ultimate price rushing in to help the community in an emergency. It was an honor to have served with him.''

Those words are a testament to the kind of person Dave was, always putting others first.

Dave was laid to rest this last Saturday at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. He leaves behind his wife and children. We continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. While we can't take away the hurt, please know that we will never forget the sacrifices that Dave made, and we will not forget the sacrifices that Dave's family has made.

Not everyone is willing to put their life on the line to keep us safe, but Dave did just exactly that. He put others before himself throughout his life. His legacy will not soon be forgotten.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, today I recognize Erin Foth, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work she has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota.

Erin is a graduate of Sully Buttes High School in Onida, SD. Currently, she is attending SD State University in Brookings, SD, where she studies economics and accounting. Erin is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience and who has been a true asset to the office.

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

Mr. President, today I recognize Thomas Hardcastle, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota.

Thomas is a graduate of Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. Currently, he is pursuing his masters of public administration at the University of Colorado, Denver. Thomas is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience and who has been a true asset to the office.

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

Mr. President, today I recognize Maria Lewis, an intern in my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work she has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota.

Maria is a graduate of West Central High School in Hartford, SD. Currently, she is attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, where she studies criminal justice and political science. Maria is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience and who has been a true asset to the office.

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

Mr. President, today I recognize Stephen Sisel, an intern in

my Washington, DC, office, for all the hard work he has done on behalf of myself, my staff, and the State of South Dakota.

Currently, Stephen is attending the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, where he studies modern history. He is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of his internship experience and who has been a true asset to the office.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Stephen 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 order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the en bloc consideration of the following nominations: Executive Calendar Nos. 467 and 858.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate vote on the nominations en bloc with no intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that no further motions be in order; that any statements relating to the nominations be printed in the Record, and the Senate resume legislative session.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 589, S. Res. 590, and S. Res. 591.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 578.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 580.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions 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. 344, S. 2278.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be 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 suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.