Floor Statements

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, this afternoon I wish to say a word about Howard Greene, whose passing we mourn today.

Howard was a leading figure here in the Senate for many years. I know Members of both parties remember his time here with fondness, even though he retired from the Senate nearly two decades ago. And I think that says a lot about Howard.

He began his service here modestly enough as a doorkeeper right outside this Chamber. The year was 1968. Howard was 26, a student at the University of Maryland. He originally intended to become a history teacher, but over time his ambitions changed, from wanting to teach about history to wanting to help shape it--and what a lucky break for the Senate.

His considerable talents were soon put to work in the Republican cloakroom. It was a big promotion, even if Howard had to first explain to his mother that working in the cloakroom didn't mean he would be hanging up people's coats.

Howard quickly gained the confidence of Senators as he rose rapidly through the ranks. His deep institutional knowledge, strong work ethic, honesty, and sense of humor were appreciated by those who worked with him, and his talents were essential for the many who relied upon him.

After the Reagan landslide of 1980, Howard put his institutional knowledge to work as secretary of the new Republican majority. After so many years out of power, it was a challenging task, but he was up to it.

All told, Howard would serve the institution he loved for more than 28 years, working under Republican leaders such as Howard Baker and Bob Dole, until stepping down from his final position of Sergeant at Arms in 1996.

Senators from both parties had a lot of nice things to say about him back then. The late Senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens, said it could seem like Howard had a crystal ball when it came to counting votes and predicting outcomes, and he praised him for his ``careful analysis, knowledge of the issues, understanding of the Members, and . . . hard work'' that often made his forecasts correct.

Senator David Pryor from Arkansas, a Democrat, noted that Howard ``respected and served and answered to not only the Senators on . . . [the Republican] side of the aisle,'' but to the Members on his side as well.

It is clear that this man from Lewes, DE, had uncommon talent and ability. We are grateful he chose to share it with us for so many years. We honor him for it today, and we send our sincerest condolences to his family in this difficult time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 579, submitted earlier today; further, that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, for 6 long years the Obama administration has been dragging its feet on the Keystone Pipeline. For as long as anyone can remember one Senator has worked harder than any other to ensure that those feet are always held to the fire; that is, our friend the senior Senator from North Dakota.

Senator Hoeven has been a tireless advocate for the shovel-ready jobs project. The people of North Dakota are lucky to have him in their corner. Similar to the experts, Senator Hoeven knows the Keystone Pipeline will create literally thousands of jobs, and similar to the experts, Senator Hoeven knows the Keystone Pipeline would have almost zero net effect on our climate, and similar to the people we represent, he understands that the Keystone Pipeline is just common sense. He has done just about everything possible to make the administration come to grips with that obvious point.

Senator Hoeven, along with leaders in the House, such as Congressman Cassidy, succeeded in assembling and leading an impressive Keystone coalition that literally crossed party lines. That is why the opponents of Keystone have been so afraid to allow the Senate to take a free and open vote on it, because they feared Senator Hoeven and Congressman Cassidy were right; that there is overwhelming bipartisan support for ending the President's blockade of these very good jobs.

After so many years of obstruction, we finally get the vote. After 6 years, we finally get the vote. We can credit the people's choice of a new Senate majority for finally getting these gears turning. But we never would have gotten to this point without the tireless leadership of Senator Hoeven in the Senate and Congressman Cassidy over in the House.

I wish to thank Senator Hoeven for all of his great work on this matter. We hope we can soon celebrate a well-deserved victory for the American people.

I understand we have colleagues on the floor as well, and I will be happy to yield at this time for any thoughts or questions they may have.

Does the Senator from North Dakota have a question? I believe I have the floor, and I believe Senator Hoeven is going to ask a question.

As the Senator from North Dakota was engaged in conversation, I was talking about his leadership role in this endeavor the last 6 years and the difficulty of getting action here in the Senate. It almost seems to me as if it took an election by the American people to choose a new majority for next year to begin to get the attention of the current majority to go forward on the issue that Senator Hoeven has been talking to us about on a virtually daily basis here for 6 years.

Mr. President, if I could, it strikes me that there was some intervening event here between the difficulty of getting a vote over the past few years and the apparent ease of getting a vote now. It strikes me--and I would be interested in the observations of my colleague from North Dakota--it strikes me this intervening

event was the election and it could be that the voices of the American people have already altered the agenda in the Senate even before the Senate officially changes hands in January. Maybe the voices of the American people have finally been heard on this important issue that the Senator from North Dakota has been speaking about week after week after week for a very long time.

I would say to the Senator from North Dakota, when there is a new majority here, if we come up short between now and the end of the year, we will be back and back and back, looking for ways to make sure that the voices of the American people are heard, and all of these new jobs are created.

So I hope--the Senator from North Dakota has indicated we will come to a favorable conclusion sooner, but I assure the Senator from North Dakota that we will come to a favorable conclusion later, if not sooner.

I see the Senator from Texas.

I will, yes.

I would say to my friend, we were both in an election this year and there is no question that this jobless recovery is the biggest issue in the country. Here we have had a project which has cleared all of the environmental hurdles, it has been sitting around for literally 6 years, and--I don't know what the latest estimate of job creation is. I would ask my friend from North Dakota, what is the latest estimate on that? How many new people would be put to work constructing this pipeline--ready to go to work?

Mr. President, if I may, it strikes me what the administration is best at is either destroying jobs or preventing new jobs from being created. In my State, as a direct result of the Environmental Protection Agency, we have lost 7,000 coal-mining jobs during the Obama years. For every coal-mining job, we lose three more jobs. We have a literal depression in eastern Kentucky, largely caused by the Obama Environmental Protection Agency. So you begin to get the picture.

Whether it is preventing 42,000 people from going to work or taking the employment away from up to 21,000 Kentuckians, what this administration seems to be best at is either destroying existing jobs or preventing new jobs from being created. I am happy there was an energy bill in Texas and an energy bill in North Dakota. I am pretty darn unhappy we don't have an energy bill in Kentucky. We have a depression again as a result of this administration and its Environmental Protection Agency.

Yes, I would be happy to yield.

It certainly is. We commend him for his good work and that bill will be headed over this way. I would also make the observation with regard to the President's approach to energy, the announcement in China yesterday which, as I read it, gives the Chinese 16 years to do anything to reduce their carbon emissions while we are going full speed ahead here, visibly destroying American jobs or trying to prevent the creation of new jobs in North Dakota.

My goodness, as I said earlier, it seems to me what this administration is best at is either destroying existing jobs or preventing new jobs from being created because of this obsession, as the Senator from Texas pointed out, with hydrocarbons of any kind.

I see the Senator from South Dakota here as well and wonder if he may have a question.

I thank my friend from South Dakota. I think the energy revolution is wonderful and we ought to embrace it. As I was saying earlier, what has happened in my State as a result of the war on coal, 90 percent of our electricity in Kentucky comes from coal-fired generation. We have been among the top five of the lowest utility rates in the country in any given year for as long as anyone can remember.

The war on coal is not only a war on coal miners. It is a war on all of Kentucky because our utility rates are beginning to go up, which is going to make the energy less affordable for people on fixed incomes in my State and make us less able to compete for other industries.

I repeat. I am thrilled at what is going on in North Dakota and what is going on in Texas. We would like to have some of that job growth ourselves and calling off this Environmental Protection Agency which seems to be just hell-bent to take coal out of the equation.

It is a heavy price to pay for this ideological crusade which the President seeks to lead on a worldwide basis and says to the Chinese they don't have to do anything for 16 years while we take away our own jobs and opportunity.

Madam President, obviously what is happening is America is on its way to being energy independent in natural gas and oil. We have the ranking member of the energy committee on the floor as well. I wonder if she had a question.

I would say to my friend from Alaska, I am as perplexed by that as she is. The Senator pointed out that having a cross-border pipeline is not exactly something new. As our chairman, Senator Hoeven, has pointed out repeatedly, it has cleared every environmental test. We cannot figure out why this has happened other than some misplaced ideological crusade the President wants to lead, not approved by Congress.

We all remember what it was like here in 2009 and 2010. Our friends on the other side had 60 votes. They could do whatever they wanted to. They could not pass cap-and-trade when they owned the place. They passed ObamaCare. They passed the stimulus. They passed Dodd-Frank. They couldn't pass cap-and-trade.

The President obviously feels so strongly about this, he is willing to give the Chinese a 16-year pass, ignore Congress and go full speed ahead. Part of that ideological rigidity is reflected in the challenge our friend from North Dakota has had here for a number of years in getting a decision made, which by any objective standard ought to be a no-brainer. My goodness, this is about as close to a no-brainer as you will ever run into.

I came out here for the specific purpose of praising the great work of the Senator from North Dakota. Without him we would not be where we are today on this issue.

I wonder if the Senator has any further question or observation to make?

Let me wrap it up by thanking again the Senator from North Dakota for his extraordinary leadership on this issue and assure the American people that we will be back. Hopefully it will be approved and signed by the President sooner. If not, he will have another opportunity later.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor a man who has dedicated his life's work to education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Dr. George D. Edwards is the founding president and CEO of Big Sandy Community and Technical College, BSCTC, and he will step down from that position in January of 2015.

Although Dr. Edwards is originally from Virginia, it is fair to consider him an adopted son of the Bluegrass State. He first came to Kentucky in 1970 to attend Berea College, and upon finishing his undergraduate studies, he decided he wasn't in a hurry to leave. Dr. Edwards went to Murray State University to earn his master of business administration and master of economics, and despite some absences from the Commonwealth in the interim--including when he earned his doctor of education from the University of Southern Mississippi--he returned to Paintsville where he has lived for the last 14 years.

When Dr. Edwards first moved to eastern Kentucky in 2000, he became the third president of Prestonsburg Community College and the first CEO for the Big Sandy Community and Technical College District. When the colleges merged in 2003 to become Big Sandy Community and Technical College, he became the institution's first president and CEO.

In this capacity Dr. Edwards has worked tirelessly to strengthen Big Sandy's commitment to its students. He has cultivated ties with the area's business community through his work with the local chambers of commerce, he has instituted an honors program for students, a Leadership institute for faculty and staff, and created a music and drama program for students and the community. He has also overseen over $23 million in infrastructure projects on campus.

Although Dr. Edwards and his wife, Dr. Joyce Edwards, plan to move to Verona, VA, in their retirement, their impact on the State and the region will undoubtedly remain. Therefore, I ask that my U.S. Senate colleagues join me in honoring this exemplary educator, Dr. George D. Edwards, and wishing him well in his future endeavors.

Mr. President, the Big Sandy Community and Technical College recently published an article on their Web site detailing the life and career of Dr. George D. Edwards. I ask unanimous

consent that the article be printed in full in the Record.

Mr. President, last week the American people sent a

strong message to Washington. They voted for a new direction. They called for a change in the way we do things in the Senate, and they sent a new team to Washington to carry their wishes forward, and we plan to do just that.

But several items remain for the outgoing Congress to consider and that is our immediate focus.

In the weeks that remain in this Congress, we should work to accomplish the essential task of funding the Congress and preventing retroactive tax increases. We must address the expiring authority passed earlier this session for the Department of Defense to train and equip a moderate, vetted Syrian opposition, and we must continue to support the efforts to address the Ebola crisis.

All of this will require cooperation from both sides of the aisle, from both sides of the rotunda, and from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. The actions of the next few weeks can help set a positive tone for the work of the next Congress. It is a tone that will depend largely on the administration's willingness to respect the message sent last Tuesday.

That is one of the things we discussed at the White House on Friday. It was a productive meeting. There is a lot both parties can accomplish together over the next couple of years. I hope that happens. In fact, I am optimistic. But working together requires trust.

I think President Obama has the duty to help build the trust we all need to move forward together--not to double down in the old ways of doing business. That is why I think moving forward with the unilateral action on immigration he has planned would be a big mistake, as was last night's announcement to essentially give China a free pass on emissions while hurting middle-class families and struggling miners here in our country.

Last Friday, the President said the American people would like to see more cooperation in Washington. He said he thinks all of us have a responsibility--himself in particular--to try and make that happen. That is the kind of tone the American people are looking for. Now it is on folks in Washington to calibrate their actions accordingly. So let's not do things to hurt the possibility of a cooperative partnership. Let's step back and focus on what can be accomplished together. Let's listen to the American people.

Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the leading businessmen and entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Terry E. Forcht is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Forcht Group of Kentucky and was honored to be named the ``Knox County Chamber 2014 Man of the Year'' in recognition of his success in business and his contributions to the community.

Terry was born and bred in my hometown of Louisville, KY. Like me, Terry attended the University of Louisville for his undergraduate studies. He also obtained his law degree from the UofL Brandeis School of Law and subsequently left the Commonwealth to obtain his MBA from the University of Miami in Florida.

Terry would not leave Kentucky for long, however. He returned in 1964 to serve as a chairman of the Commerce Department at Cumberland College--now the University of the Cumberlands--and 3 years later he started his own law practice in Corbin, KY.

In 1972, Terry bought the Hillcrest Nursing Home in Corbin--an acquisition that is widely considered to be the first piece of what would eventually become the Forcht Group of Kentucky. This initial purchase has grown into what is now called First Corbin Long Term Care and consists of nine health and rehabilitation centers in the region.

In 1972, Terry also became heavily involved in community banking. He was appointed to the board of directors of Corbin Deposit Bank and Trust Company, and as his interest and expertise in the industry grew, he founded Tri-County National Bank with a group of investors in 1985. As with his nursing home acquisition, this community bank quickly prospered and grew. Today there are 30 Forcht Bank locations in Kentucky with total assets of over $1 billion.

Mr. Forcht has grown his company over the years into a sprawling enterprise that employs over 2,100 people. The Forcht Group currently consists of 22 radio stations, 19 finance company offices, 2 insurance companies, 2 newspapers, a pharmacy and diagnostic lab, a retail furniture and gift store, a construction company, real estate, and several other small businesses.

Outside of his business, Terry still manages to find time to stay involved in his community. Although he is no longer a practicing lawyer, he is still a member of the Whitley County and Kentucky Bar Associations. In the past he has been president of the Whitley County Republican Party and has run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also currently serves on the board of directors of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Economic Development Board.

Terry's success in business has also allowed him and his wife Marion to pursue their passion for philanthropy. They are both active members of Grace on the Hill Methodist Church and have generously donated large sums of their hard-earned money to the University of Louisville, the University of the Cumberlands, and to the University of Kentucky. Many generations of Kentuckians will undoubtedly find new opportunities open to them because of Terry and Marion's contributions to education in the State.

The Knox County Chamber 2014 Man of the Year Award is a fitting tribute to a man who has contributed so much to his community. Terry's entrepreneurial zeal and commitment to furnishing quality higher education in his State set a glowing example for us all. Therefore, I ask that my U.S. Senate colleagues join me in honoring this exemplary citizen.

Mr. President, on October 3 of this year, I had the honor of speaking at the portrait unveiling of U.S. District Court Judge John G. Heyburn. I ask unanimous consent that my comments at that ceremony be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, it frequently happens when we head into a recess that we have to say a reluctant farewell to some member of the Senate family. So before I yield the floor, I wish to say a word of thanks to Jerry Linnell, who has been a fixture here for more than 3 decades as an official reporter of debates and for the past 15 years as a somewhat hidden fixture up on the fourth floor as the chief reporter.

It is a tough job having to listen to the rest of us drone on every day, and as chief reporter Jerry has had the unenviable task of reviewing every single word we have said.

In his trademark suspenders, Jerry is a friendly and unmistakable presence up on the fourth floor, guiding his team through their daily rounds and maintaining a level of professionalism and integrity that has always been a key characteristic of the office.

It is a proud group. Back in the 1930s Senator Huey Long is said to have donated his own personal Bible to the office so they would have a handy reference when he quoted from it. It quickly became a tradition for new reporters to sign it when they were hired and then once they left.

In a sign of how dedicated these reporters are, only 35 names have been entered in the Bible over the past 80 years. So it is a very venerable fraternity, one that has its roots in article I of the Constitution. We thank Jerry for his many, many years of dedicated, honorable service.

I know Jerry and his wife Jane look forward to spending more time with their many children and grandchildren. After listening to us for all those years, I think he deserves it.

You have done your time. You have done it well. The entire Senate family thanks you. Jerry, all the best.

I yield the floor.

Reservation of Leader Time

Earlier we had an opportunity to hear from Ukraine's

President Petro Poroshenko. Ukraine is a friend of the United States and it has looked to the West to meet naked Russian aggression.

As President Poroshenko's speech reminded us, there are objectives that bind our countries, such as the pursuit of freedom and representative government. Let's make it clear. We stand with Ukraine. We stand with the Ukrainian people in their struggle against external aggression and we stand with them in their struggle to secure the same kinds of rights and liberties each of us enjoy in America.

On a different matter, today the Senate will consider House legislation to fund the government and address the threats of Ebola and ISIL.

These are important issues. Many Members on both sides plan to support this legislation. I know others have some concerns too. I understand those concerns. I share some of them, but while no bill is perfect, I believe this legislation is worth supporting.

I would like to thank my fellow Kentuckian, Representative Hal Rogers, for his leadership and work on this bill because it does a lot of important things and all without raising discretionary spending. It would reauthorize important counternarcotics operations that help keep our children and communities safe and it would extend the Internet Tax Freedom Act until December, giving us a chance to secure a permanent extension.

It would block some of the administration's discretionary policies against Kentucky coal and help address the administration's veterans crisis by providing more resources to address the backlog and investigations into potential wrongdoing that is a positive step toward the more comprehensive reforms Republicans would like to see.

Critically, the legislation would provide authorization to train and equip a moderate Syrian opposition ground force, a key component of the President's efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat ISIL.

While I am concerned about the ability of the coalition to generate sufficient combat power to defeat ISIL within Syria, I do support the President's proposal to begin the program. The authorization is of limited duration and it now contains important reporting requirements that will allow Congress to assess and oversee this program to measure whether the mission is actually being accomplished.

The Ebola crisis is another area where the President deserves congressional support. As you know, he recently announced several messages to contain the spread of the disease in Africa and prevent it from reaching our shores.

Accordingly, the bill contains additional resources to support research and bolster our Nation's effort in assisting Africa to manage this growing crisis.

In summary, this isn't perfect legislation, but it begins to address many of our constituents' top concerns without raising discretionary spending. It positions us for better solutions in the months to come.

Simply reserving the right to object, and obviously I am not going to object, I am very happy we could reauthorize this important piece of legislation. I have had an opportunity to get to know Debbie Smith pretty well, as Senator Cornyn and Senator Leahy have. We have met on several occasions.

The bill passed the House of Representatives a few months ago on a voice vote. We tried to clear it when it came over here. Unfortunately, there was an objection on the other side of the aisle. But I am glad we are where we are and that the bill will be reauthorized.

It is certainly fitting for Congress to pass this bill that is named for such a tireless advocate for those who suffered this terrible abuse.

Mr. President, today I am proud to offer legislation that will make it easier for American families to pay for their child's higher education. This legislation is the Enhanced 529-Setting Aside for a Valuable Education, or Enhanced 529-SAVE, Act. This measure will make the 529 college savings plans more accessible to lower and middle- income families.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that is designed to encourage Americans to save for future college costs. 529 plans can be sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and they are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue

Code. I championed efforts to ensure that 529 plans would be 100 percent tax-free at the Federal level. In 2001, I authored the Setting Aside for Valuable Education, or SAVE, Act, which was included in a tax package that became law. In 2006, I helped make the tax benefits under these accounts permanent.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act will make 529 plans more accessible by encouraging employers to contribute to an employee's 529 plan. My bill would exclude up to $600 of an employer's contribution from an employee's gross income. This will help families and individuals save more for higher education expenses.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act will also create an incentive for lower- income families and individuals to save money for college by allowing the individual that contributes to the 529 plan to qualify for the Saver's Credit, which is an income-based, non-refundable tax credit up to $4,000.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act is similar to H.R. 529, introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins of Kansas. I want to commend her for her leadership on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to consider and pass the Enhanced 529-SAVE Act, and I look forward to its eventual passage.

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

Mr. President, today I am proud to offer legislation that will make it easier for American families to pay for their child's higher education. This legislation is the Enhanced 529-Setting Aside for a Valuable Education, or Enhanced 529-SAVE, Act. This measure will make the 529 college savings plans more accessible to lower and middle- income families.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that is designed to encourage Americans to save for future college costs. 529 plans can be sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and they are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue

Code. I championed efforts to ensure that 529 plans would be 100 percent tax-free at the Federal level. In 2001, I authored the Setting Aside for Valuable Education, or SAVE, Act, which was included in a tax package that became law. In 2006, I helped make the tax benefits under these accounts permanent.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act will make 529 plans more accessible by encouraging employers to contribute to an employee's 529 plan. My bill would exclude up to $600 of an employer's contribution from an employee's gross income. This will help families and individuals save more for higher education expenses.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act will also create an incentive for lower- income families and individuals to save money for college by allowing the individual that contributes to the 529 plan to qualify for the Saver's Credit, which is an income-based, non-refundable tax credit up to $4,000.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act is similar to H.R. 529, introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins of Kansas. I want to commend her for her leadership on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to consider and pass the Enhanced 529-SAVE Act, and I look forward to its eventual passage.

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

Mr. President, I rise today to honor an exemplary public servant from my home State of Kentucky. Nan Gorman who is currently serving as the mayor of the City of Hazard will retire this year upon completing her term of office.

Mayor Gorman was born in Memphis, TN, but moved to Hazard shortly after. She grew up in hard times, with the Nation reeling from the effects of a worldwide depression. Though the odds may have been stacked against her, she graduated from the University of Cincinnati and the Parson School of Design in New York and subsequently traveled the world on a tour of self-education.

Nan experienced so much of the world in her travels, but she saw nothing that would prevent her from returning to her ``Old Kentucky Home.'' Back in Hazard, she married her high-school sweetheart, Bill, who was elected mayor of Hazard in 1978 and served in that capacity until his death 35 years later.

Bill Gorman was a beloved member of the Hazard community. When he died in October of 2010, however, Nan was appointed to serve as interim mayor and the town did not skip a beat. Nan performed so well in her interim role that she was voted into office by a 3-1 margin in the next election.

Although Mayor Gorman will step down at the end of her term, her love for the City of Hazard has not decreased in the slightest degree, and she is planning on running for one of the city's four commissioner seats.

Nan Gorman's dedication to public service and her community set a shining example for us all, and I ask that my Senate colleagues join me in recognizing her illustrious career.

Mr. President, though I admittedly possess a strong bias towards the author, who happens to be my wife, Secretary Elaine Chao, Politico published what I found to be an exceptional article on Mayor Gorman last year. I ask unanimous consent that the full article be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor a venerable institution of higher learning from my home State of Kentucky the University of Pikeville. UPike, as it is more commonly known, is celebrating 125 years of educating young minds on its campus in eastern Kentucky.

September 16 marked 125 years since the first classes were held at what was then called Pikeville Collegiate Institute. The college was founded by a group of Presbyterians, and has maintained its religious foundation ever since.

In addition to its religious background, UPike has also always maintained a strong commitment to its community. The university invests deeply in the Appalachian region through community service projects, humanitarian efforts, and its educational offerings. As former President Hal Smith remarked at the anniversary ceremony, UPike's mission has always been ``to provide educational opportunity for the youth and adults of this region.''

Three other former presidents, as well as the current President Dr. James Hurley, were in attendance Tuesday for the ceremony. During the ceremony, Dr. Hurley announced a campaign to raise $75 million for the university. It is a fitting endeavor to ensure many more years of excellence in education at the University of Pikeville.

I now ask that my Senate colleagues join me in paying tribute to the University of Pikeville's 125 years of excellence in education.

WYMT Mountain News recently published an article detailing the University of Pikeville's 125th anniversary ceremonies. I ask unanimous consent that the full article be printed in the Record.