Floor Statements

Madam President, I rise today to ask a unanimous consent request on S. 650. This is a bill that I have introduced with Senator Hirono that would extend the Federal Communications Commission's spectrum auction authority until the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2023.

Currently, this authority is set to expire tomorrow night. Our legislation would prevent this expiration and allow the Department of Defense and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to focus on a statutorily required study which is to be completed by September of this year. This will define DOD spectrum requirements and articulate the risks should the Department lose access to portions of the 3.1 to 3.45 gigahertz frequencies that are home to systems that are used to defend our country from attack.

The extension of this authorization until September 30 would allow time for the DOD and the NTIA to complete their study which, as I say, is expected in September.

We cannot allow potential authorizing spectrum legislation to affect any decision making related to the lower 3 gigahertz band before the DOD and the NTIA release their study, which is expected, as I say, in September.

The FCC's spectrum auction authority was previously extended less than just 3 months ago. Unfortunately, each time this auction authority expires at short and arbitrary intervals, we find additional language being proposed that would modify the current process by which any sharing of this spectrum would be determined. The Department of Defense finds itself responding to proposals that include offering up for auction critical bands of spectrum before this study has been completed.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 requires the Department of Defense to conclude the spectrum study by September 2023. Importantly, the study mandates examination of the feasibility of DOD sharing the 3.1 to 3.45 gigahertz band of spectrum, which is a very limited resource with the industry.

The extension which I call up today would make certain that the analysis of the study is completed before taking action or before actions could be taken which may potentially harm the national security of the United States.

While the development of 5G networks is important to both the economic prosperity and national security of the United States, the premature auction of spectrum must not jeopardize the systems that depend on radars and other critical sensors to protect our troops and our citizens from air or missile attacks.

Many of the reasons that make an extension until the end of the fiscal year vital simply can't be discussed here on the Senate floor because they need to be taken in a classified setting.

Over the past several months, I hosted a series of classified and unclassified briefings for my colleagues, their congressional staff members, the telecom industry, and the defense industry. These briefings were delivered by both the Department of Defense and the

Madam President, I would like to thank my colleague from Vermont for his comments.

I think we all want the same thing. We want the auction authority to be able to move forward. I do believe that it is very appropriate because there are negotiations which are ongoing, but none of them can be completed until the report, the study, is completed on September 30.

If we did a short-term extension, we would simply be back here again. But once again, the Department of Defense finds itself in a position to where once again they are being asked to modify the appeals process in this existing statute, which we already have on the books, and we find ourselves under, as the Senator from Vermont indicates, a very serious time constraint to try to get this done within 60 days.

My question is, If 60 days is good enough, wouldn't it be better to go until the end of the year when we would actually have the data available to make a good decision about whether or not there is the availability of additional spectrum for a sharing or a sale that could be used, perhaps, for 5G, but at the same time, we could be assured would not impact our national defense priorities?

With that, I thank my colleague from Vermont.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, reserving the right to object, I appreciate my friend and colleague from Vermont and his offer.

My concern is that the spectrum study, which the Senator has acknowledged, will not be done until September 30. There is no reasonable explanation as to why we would not be able to extend until September 30 the auction capabilities that are available at the present time.

However, there is an appeals process which is very important to the Department of Defense, and every time we have a discussion about the process

moving forward, the risk of an appeals process modifying or being changed is incorporated or at least is being proposed.

For those of us who are very concerned about the ability to protect the very clear and important portions of the spectrum that the Department of Defense utilizes, it is important that there be no modifications to any appeals process between now and September 30. Until such time as we have that available to us, it is simply not appropriate, I believe, to allow for an existing modification or new legislation to be proposed that does not take that into account.

Once again, I don't want to see this lapse either--I would love to see it moved on--but I cannot think of a reason we would not be able to extend the existing auction capabilities of the FCC, the NTIA, and so forth and still protect the spectrum capabilities of the Department of Defense until September 30, at which time the complete report will be available. Until such time, I believe that it would be inappropriate to, once again, have the risk of modifications to any appeals process and any additional legislation that might be included in a further extension.

Therefore, with all due respect, I must object.

Mr. President, I rise to discuss bipartisan legislation that I have introduced with Senator Lujan which would grant a Federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated, known as NAIV.

The NAIV was chartered in 2004, with headquarters located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Reservation in South Dakota. The NAIV was originally established as the result of a request by former Senators Akaka, Inouye, and Nighthorse Campbell during a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee in 2004.

At that time, no Native American veterans organization had ever received a congressional charter. Sadly, that remains the case today, nearly 20 years later. But that omission would be fixed by this legislation.

The NAIV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that operates solely for charitable, literary, educational, scientific, patriotic, and civil improvement purposes. It provides a voice to

Native American veterans whose unique needs are not always represented adequately by other organizations.

Native Americans are the highest serving race per capita in the U.S. Armed Forces, often serving at a rate five times over the national average, and have served with distinction in every U.S. conflict over the last 200 years. They also have some of the highest concentration of women servicemembers. According to a 2020 VA statistics report, there are over 140,000 Native American veterans across the Nation today. Discussions with Tribal leaders would indicate that this number is most likely an undercount and the true number likely approaches 200,000.

The NAIV serves the interests and needs of Native veterans in all 50 States. It conducts activities in collaboration with its national leadership and its 14 regional offices. Tribes rotate to host regional and State NAIV meetings. This is all done in a decentralized manner, respecting the independence and sovereignty of all Tribal nations.

NAIV often has been the only national Native American veterans organization invited to testify before Congress on issues facing Native veterans nationwide. NAIV works to make sure that our Native American veterans receive the benefits, compensation, and resources that they have earned. Among its activities, NAIV provided critical support for construction of an American Indian Veterans Memorial at the Riverside National Cemetery in California.

In addition, COVID-19 had a significant impact on Tribal reservations, and the NAIV secured over 5 million masks, thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer, and personal protective equipment to respond to the pandemic. It distributed these critical resources to over 375 Tribes in 30 States at no cost to our veterans or their Tribes.

NAIV also serves on the Disaster Response and Recovery Working Group of the FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee and has been a tireless advocate of providing broadband access to Tribal communities throughout the Nation.

Last week, we celebrated Veterans Day, an opportunity to honor our veterans for their service. Also, last week, we finally saw the dedication of the National Native American Veterans Memorial on the National Mall here in DC. While the Native American Veterans Memorial actually opened in 2020, due to COVID, the dedication did not occur until this year.

I believe we have the opportunity today to address another overdue recognition of our Native American veterans by finally approving the Federal charter for the National American Indian Veterans, Incorporated, to recognize all the work the organization does on behalf of our Native American veterans.

Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 1725 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, 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 wanted to say how pleased I am to finally see this bill pass the U.S. Senate. I want to underscore, again, the situation of recognizing the important work done by the NAIV to benefit our Native American veterans.

I particularly want to recognize the work done by Mr. Don Loudner of Mitchell, SD, who has led the NAIV since its inception in 2004. Don has served as an Army officer and is a combat veteran of the Korean war. He served with my father in the National Guard in South Dakota, as well. He also served in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Census Bureau and has spent decades supporting our Native American veterans. I want to thank

him for his 70 years of service to our Nation.

I would also like to thank Senator Hirono for the open communication that we have received in coordinating and successfully passing these pieces of legislation.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following legislative fellows in my office be granted the privileges of the floor for the remainder of the Congress: Robert Watson Fagan and Benjamin Shafer.

Madam President, I rise today to honor an exceptional member of the Air National Guard. I would like to recognize Lt. Col. Laurie Rodriguez's distinguished service and dedication to enhancing the relationship between the National Guard and my office as a legislative liaison.

A native of Brandon, SD, Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez enlisted in the South Dakota Air National Guard and was later commissioned as a force support officer. She has served 25 years in both the South Dakota and Mississippi National Guard in a broad range of drill status and Active- Duty assignments, including a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Currently, she is excelling in not one, but two, demanding positions as the 186th Force Support Squadron commander and as the joint team lead for the National Guard Bureau Office of Legislative Liaison. Additionally, she has served Active-Duty tours at Headquarters Air Force, the Executive Office of the President's Office of National Drug Control Policy, and several offices within the National Guard Bureau.

Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez has served as a legislative liaison officer since October of 2018. Her attention to detail and responsiveness strengthened the relationship between my office and the National Guard immeasurably. Additionally, she formulated the congressional engagement plan and prepared National Guard leadership for over 71 meetings and hearings, informing congressional members on the National Guard Bureau's legislative priorities. Her efforts played a pivotal role in securing $129 million in appropriations in support of counter drug operations helping deter the opioid epidemic. Laurie also served as lead action officer on the impacts the creation of the Space Force had on 13 National Guard units with space missions. Finally, she answered hundreds of congressional inquiries, which provided critical information necessary for the consideration of three National Defense Authorization Acts. She did all of this while taking care of the men and women under her command at the 186th Force Support Squadron.

After concluding this challenging assignment in August, Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez will take on another challenging role as a deputy division chief within the National Guard Bureau Operations Directorate. She embodies the qualities that the Nation expects from our officer corps and has a promising career ahead in continued service to our Nation. In closing, I express my gratitude and appreciation to Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez for her excellent support of my office in furtherance of National Guard missions and my appreciation to her supportive husband, Angello Rodriguez. I wish this National Guard family all the best in their next chapter of service to our Nation.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate: First of all, to my friend and colleague, Senator Brown, I thank you for the opportunity to participate today, and I hope to do my best to add a feeling of strength to the message that Dr. Martin Luther King shared in his letter.

This is a reading from a ``Letter From Birmingham Jail,'' Dr. Martin L. King Jr., April 16, 1963.

My Dear Fellow Clergymen:

While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came

across your recent statement calling my present activities

``unwise and untimely.'' Seldom do I pause to answer

criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the

criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have

little time for anything other than such correspondence in

the course of the day, and I would have no time for

constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of

genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set

forth, I want to try to answer your statement in what I hope

will be patient and reasonable terms.

I think I should indicate why I am here in Birmingham,

since you have been influenced by the view which argues

against ``outsiders coming in.'' I have the honor of serving

as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference,

an organization operating in every southern state, with

headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty five

affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is

the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Frequently,

we share staff, educational and financial resources with our

affiliates. Several months ago the affiliate here in

Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent

direct action program if such were deemed necessary. We

readily consented, and when the hour came we lived up to our

promise. So I, along with several members of my staff, am

here because I was invited here. I am here because I have

organizational ties here.

But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is

here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left

their villages and carried their ``thus saith the Lord'' far

beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the

Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the

gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman

world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom

beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond

to the Macedonian call for aid.

Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all

communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and

not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice

anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in

an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment

of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all

indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the

narrow, provincial `outside agitator' idea. Anyone who lives

inside the United States can never be considered an outsider

anywhere within its bounds.

You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham.

But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a

similar concern for the conditions that brought about the

demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest

content with the superficial kind of social analysis that

deals merely with effects and does not grapple with

underlying causes. It is unfortunate that demonstrations are

taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate

that the city's white power structure left the Negro

community with no alternative.

In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps:

collection of the facts to determine whether injustices

exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action. We

have gone through all these steps in Birmingham. There can be

no gainsaying the fact that racial injustice engulfs this

community. Birmingham is probably the most thoroughly

segregated city in the United States. Its ugly record of

brutality is widely known. Negroes have experienced

grossly unjust treatment in the courts. There have been

more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in

Birmingham than in any other city in the nation. These are

the hard, brutal facts of the case. On the basis of these

conditions, Negro leaders sought to negotiate with the

city fathers. But the latter consistently refused to

engage in good faith negotiation.

Then, last September, came the opportunity to talk with

leaders of Birmingham's economic community. In the course of

the negotiations, certain promises were made by the

merchants--for example, to remove the stores' humiliating

racial signs. On the basis of these promises, the Reverend

Fred Shuttlesworth and the leaders of the Alabama Christian

Movement for Human Rights agreed to a moratorium on all

demonstrations. As the weeks and months went by, we realized

that we were the victims of a broken promise. A few signs,

briefly removed, returned; the others remained. As in so many

past experiences, our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow

of deep disappointment settled upon us. We had no alternative

except to prepare for direct action, whereby we would present

our very bodies as a means of laying our case before the

conscience of the local and the national community. Mindful

of the difficulties involved, we decided to undertake a

process of self purification. We began a series of workshops

on nonviolence, and we repeatedly asked ourselves: ``Are you

able to accept blows without retaliating?'' ``Are you able to

endure the ordeal of jail?'' We decided to schedule our

direct action program for the Easter season, realizing that

except for Christmas, this is the main shopping period of the

year. Knowing that a strong economic-withdrawal program would

be the byproduct of direct action, we felt that this would be

the best time to bring pressure to bear on the merchants for

the needed change.

Then it occurred to us that Birmingham's mayoral election

was coming up in March, and we speedily decided to postpone

action until after election day. When we discovered that the

Commissioner of Public Safety, Eugene ``Bull'' Connor, had

piled up enough votes to be in the run off, we decided again

to postpone action until the day after the run off so that

the demonstrations could not be used to cloud the issues.

Like many others, we waited to see Mr. Connor defeated, and

to this end, we endured postponement after postponement.

Having aided in this community need, we felt that our direct

action program could be delayed no longer.

On this vote, I have a pair with the junior Senator from New Mexico, Mr. Lujan. If he were present and voting, he would vote yea. If I were permitted to vote, I would vote nay. I, therefore, withdraw my vote.

Madam President, tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of the day the United States entered Afghanistan--the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom.

On October 7, 2001, the U.S. military conducted its first strike on the terrorists responsible for attacking our Nation on 9/11.

As President Bush said on that day: It was not a mission we asked for but a mission that we would fulfill.

For the past two decades, brave men and women have answered the call and put on the uniform of our country to fight terrorists in the name of freedom. We were a beacon of hope in a region of chaos. Our presence made a difference.

As I travel my home State of South Dakota, I have heard from many people who were disturbed by the events that unfolded during our final days in Afghanistan. I share their frustrations.

Together, we watched the Taliban forcefully regain control of an entire country that we worked so hard to keep free from terrorist groups. We watched the credibility of the United States on the world's stage diminish as we carelessly left our friends and allies behind. We watched civilians hopelessly cling to the wings of aircraft in desperate hope of escape. And we watched 13 brave men and women in uniform lose their lives while helping others seek freedom. As we mourn the loss of their lives, we recognize and appreciate their service to our Nation.

We also remember all those who fought by our side for 20 years, many of whom remain trapped in Afghanistan.

A citizen of South Dakota, Brandy Roseland, a veteran from Belle Fourche, worked as a contractor in Afghanistan. That is where she met her interpreter. According to Brandy, her interpreter served with the highest distinction and faced great personal risk, often putting himself in harm's way to aid and protect Americans and his fellow Afghans.

On one such occasion, Brandy's interpreter discovered an American contractor who died in an accident outside of Kabul. The interpreter singlehandedly returned the contractor's body, as well as sensitive equipment and documents, to the U.S. Embassy. That took courage. Brandy returned to the United States, but she stayed in contact with her interpreter.

When Afghanistan began to fall to the Taliban, she knew that she needed to do all she could to help him get out safely. That is when Brandy called us and asked if we could help him escape the clutches of the Taliban.

For weeks, our office worked relentlessly to maneuver his application for a special immigrant visa throughout the bureaucratic process at the State Department. Our work was ultimately successful from an administrative standpoint, but the overall mission was a failure.

While we had done all we could to help the interpreter receive his visa, our forces had exited before he could get on a plane to safety because of the President's date certain which he set for withdrawal.

Today, this interpreter remains in hiding in Afghanistan. If he is found by the Taliban, his fate will certainly be sealed.

We all know that there are no easy answers when it comes to Afghanistan, but there was clearly a wrong one.

For months, we had warned of the perils of making an arbitrary decision based on the calendar as opposed to an assessment of the conditions on the ground. And we weren't alone.

As the only Republican member of both the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, I have had the opportunity these past few weeks to hear from the senior military officers who advised President Biden: General Milley, Secretary Austin, and General McKenzie. Their message to the President was clear: a withdrawal on a date certain, without conditions, would lead to the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban.

Despite receiving the best military advice in the world, President Biden decided to use his own judgment, and he made the wrong decision. His directive to withdraw on a date certain, without regard for the conditions on the ground, needlessly put American soldiers in harm's way and forced our military to undertake an assignment which they simply could not totally complete.

Our military simply ran out of time. They could not get all of our Americans out, and they could not get all of our Afghan allies out, including Brandy's interpreter.

But it didn't have to end this way. Our military leaders offered the President the correct path forward. Their Commander in Chief failed them.

Lately, the President has blamed a lot of people for his failure. This includes the Afghan security forces and his own generals, who he falsely claimed advised him to make this decision. But this does not fall on any of them.

President Biden owns this debacle, and history will not judge him kindly. Because of his error, al-Qaida now has a breeding ground. America is less safe. The world is less safe.

I will close with a message for our veterans. While I was Governor, I attended 31 funerals in South Dakota for South Dakotans who died fighting the War on Terror. We will not forget their sacrifice nor their family's loss.

While freedom may not endure in Afghanistan today, for 20 years, you--you veterans--you protected our Nation and kept the fight away from our doorstep. Your service was not in vain. Your sacrifice made a difference. You represent the best of our country, and your Nation is grateful.

Please always remember it is not the politician who protects our right to vote; it is not the journalist who protects our freedom of speech; and it is not the preacher who protects our freedom of religion. All of our freedoms are defended and protected, generation after generation, by the men and women who put on the uniform of the United States of America.

We are grateful to you for your sacrifice and your service. May God continue to bless all of you veterans, and may the Good Lord continue to bless these United States of America.

Thank you.

I yield the floor.

Nomination of Sarah A. L. Merriam

Madam President, today I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Custer County Senior Citizen Center in Custer, SD. The Custer County Senior Citizen Center has continually been a place of resource, entertainment, recreation, and community for the venerable elder citizenry of the Custer Community and southern Black Hills since 1971; the 50 years of success the Custer Senior Center has enjoyed is fully supported by the hundreds of volunteers who have donated thousands of hours every year for five decades to help the senior center thrive and grow into the valuable community resource it has become.

The Custer County Senior Center provides unlimited opportunities for growth, prosperity, increased longevity, and improved quality of life to our valuable senior citizens by providing educational, cultural, financial, medical, intellectual, and fitness programs throughout the year.

The Custer County Senior Center will continue into the next 50 years providing unparalleled service to the golden age population of Custer County, the Black Hills, and the State of South Dakota as it has done since its inception, with the support of the community, the members, the volunteers, and the dedicated staff at the center.

Mr. President, I rise to support the Senator's motion and the amendment. This is a case where we are trying to eliminate the silos within the Federal Government. When it comes to cyber security, this is a really good example of one where you have multiple Agencies trying to work together.

This makes it very clear that it is not just a matter of discussing or consulting but, rather, that it will be a coordinated effort. It recognizes once again that the Department of Homeland Security and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are taking the lead role.

With that, I would offer my full support as well.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, today I rise to thank Belle Lunders, one of my constituents, for sharing the significance of Trisomy 13 awareness.

I ask unanimous consent that her statement regarding Trisomy 13 be submitted to the Congressional Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor an exceptional member of the Department of the Air Force. I would like to recognize Lt. Col. Terrell ``T'' Tillery's distinguished service and dedication to enhancing the relationship between the U.S. Air Force and my office.

Lieutenant Colonel Tillery has distinguished himself through his professional character and leadership by serving our Nation in uniform. A leader and expert communicator, he has provided exemplary service to our country while assigned to the Air Force Senate Liaison Office. Terrell is a career force support officer with experience in manpower, personnel, and services, including assignments as a force support squadron commander, recorder for the USAF Selection Board Secretariat, and a squadron section commander. He has served tours at the base, major command, agency, center and air staff levels. He has deployed in support of Operations Willing Spirit, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Freedom's Sentinel. It was this experience that made Terrell the perfect fit to serve as a legislative liaison officer for the Department of the Air Force for the past 2 years on Capitol Hill.

Terrell served as a legislative liaison officer from July 2019 to May 2021, skillfully performing his duties throughout. His attention to detail and responsiveness strengthened the capabilities of my office in support of our special relationship with the Air Force. Specifically, Terrell shaped numerous engagements between my office and Air Force senior leaders. Of special concern to me was the related dialog concerning the Air Force's future to include that of the KC-46 and B-21 aircraft, the Next Generation Air Dominance Program, and the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent. Additionally, Terrell's direct support provided me and my staff with critical information necessary for our consideration of two National Defense Authorization Acts.

After concluding this challenging assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Tillery will take command of another U.S. Air Force squadron, this time the 355th Force Support Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ. In closing, I express my gratitude and appreciation to Lieutenant Colonel Tillery for his excellent support of me and my staff in furtherance of the Air Force and Space Force missions and my appreciation to his supportive family, Mrs. Catherine Tillery, and their three children Tucker, Collier and Chandler Grace. I wish this Air Force family all the best in their next chapter of service to our Nation.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Madam President, today I recognize Mykaylan Burner, 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.

Mykaylan is a graduate of Dakota Valley High School in North Sioux City, SD. Currently, she is attending South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where she studies political science and Spanish. Mykaylan is a dedicated and diligent worker who has been devoted to getting the most out of her internship experience and has been a true asset to the office.

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

Mr. President, today I wish to honor Wendell Hanson, as he celebrates his centennial birthday this year. Wendell was born on August 4, 1919, in Sioux Falls, SD.

Wendell Hanson graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls. He attended 1 year of college at Augustana College in Sioux Falls before transferring to the University of Texas, where he was President of Alpha Phi Omega.

Wendell enlisted in Active Duty in the Army Air Force on September 5, 1941, and served in World War II as a B-25 combat pilot in low-altitude attack missions from bases in China and India. He was flight leader under General C. L. Chennault's 14th Air Force Flying Tigers. Among the medals he was awarded are the Distinguished Flying Cross for distinguishing himself by heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, the

Air Medal with oakleaf cluster, three Bronze Stars, and China's Liberation Medal. After his tour of duty in the war overseas, he taught instructor pilots how to teach combat air tactics to pilots. He served in the Air Force Reserve and retired in 1964 as a lieutenant colonel.

On August 11, 1945, Wendell married Helen A. Brumbaugh at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Wendell met Helen when she was a teacher at Vermillion High School. In January of 1945, he flew to Sioux Falls from Texas and drove his father's car to Vermillion to recruit potential Air Force pilots. Prior to speaking with students, he spoke with Helen for a few minutes in a school hallway. A month later, without further communication, Wendell sent a letter to Helen asking her to marry him. Helen replied, ``I do not even know you well enough to say no.'' After many months of letters, Helen said, ``Yes.'' They lived near Waco, TX, while Wendell taught instructor pilots at Lackland Air Force Base, then moved to Ann Arbor, MI, for 2 years before finally returning to Sioux Falls.

Wendell and Helen had five children, Doug, Gail, Gary, Allen, and Martha, as well as eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

As a dedicated public servant, Wendell served in the South Dakota Senate from 1977-78 and from 1981-1982. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, international travel, pheasant hunting, fishing, and camping. He was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church, where he served as President of the congregation and Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of Peace Lutheran Church and currently attends Abiding Savior Lutheran.

I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Wendell Hanson for his service to our country and wish him a very happy 100th birthday, good health, and prosperity.