Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a grave day in Wisconsin's history, the 150th anniversary of the ``Great Peshtigo Fire.'' On this sesquicentennial anniversary, we remember the great city of Peshtigo, WI, that was completely destroyed on October 8, 1871, in the largest fire in U.S. history.

A community surrounded by dense forest, the city of Peshtigo was first settled in 1838. Located off the western shore of Green Bay in Marinette County, the area was first inhabited by Menominee and Ho- Chunk Native Americans. Sustained by lumber, shipping, and railroad interests, by the end of 1871, it was the tenth largest city in Wisconsin.

Historians and survivors of the fire theorize that the blaze was started by railroad workers who were cutting trees and burning debris outside of Peshtigo. A combination of a prolonged drought, a heavy reliance on wooden buildings, and 100-mph winds aligned to create a firestorm that reached 3 miles across and 1,000 feet high. Over the course of the night, the fire scorched over 1.2 million acres and caused an estimated $169 million in damages. Between 1,200 and 2,500 people lost their lives. The fire's complete destruction of local records prevented an accurate death toll. An estimated 350 victims lie in a mass grave in Peshtigo, victims who could not be identified because they were either burned beyond recognition or because those who could identify them perished, too.

Although the Great Peshtigo Fire has been well documented, little has been written about the crucial role Native Americans played in preventing further loss of life among European settlers. One of the most compelling stories involves Abraham Place, who traveled on foot to Wisconsin from Vermont in 1837 to build a homestead in the Sugar Bush neighborhood just outside of Peshtigo. He married a Menominee woman, and together with their children, they tended one of the largest farms in the area. While marrying a Native-American woman was socially acceptable when Place first settled there, attitudes had changed by 1871, and he was scorned by his fellow settlers.

The Native Americans he regularly welcomed to his home warned him of the impending danger of fire after months of little to no rain and helped him create a 3-foot-deep firebreak around his farm. His European neighbors dismissed his precaution as the actions of a crazy man who had married a Native American. Mrs. Place's in-laws then spent hours placing dozens of wet blankets on the roof of their house to prevent its destruction. Their home was one of the few buildings still standing on the morning of October 9.

Many of the same neighbors who had ridiculed them ran to their house or died trying. Survivors found the bodies of 35 residents who never made it to the farm. The hundred or so refugees who arrived safely at the Place home found a make-shift hospital where they could nurse their wounds and recuperate. Some stayed for weeks, their earlier disdain cured by necessity.

In the days following the Peshtigo fire, survivors emerged from the Peshtigo River and other safe havens untouched by the flames to look for missing loved ones and to begin to rebuild their lives. As word of the devastation spread, donations of food, clothing, and money poured in from across the State, the Nation, and several foreign countries. This selfless, unified show of support empowered the people of Peshtigo to rebuild their homes and restore their community.

Occurring on the same night as the Great Chicago Fire, the Peshtigo fire has been largely forgotten, even though the Wisconsin death toll is estimated to be seven times that of the Chicago tragedy. That is why I join Peshtigo residents in remembering the time when prejudices that turned neighbors into enemies were set aside in the midst of unimaginable hardship. And I applaud their efforts to pause this October 8 to remember this inconceivable catastrophe, commemorate its victims and honor the resilience of those who worked so hard to rebuild this city from the ashes of total devastation into the tranquil community of today.

Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 3648 and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Baldwin, Smith, Gillibrand, Peters, and Durbin amendment that will help support good-paying union jobs, address the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes, and support billions of dollars in revenue and wages.

The U.S. Great Lakes waterborne commerce supports more than 147,000 jobs in eight Great Lakes States. This is made possible by the Coast Guard's Great Lakes icebreakers that ensure ships can safely transit in and out of our ports in the winter. Unfortunately, the number of icebreaking vessels on the Great Lakes has declined, resulting in economic loss, including an estimated 5,400 jobs in the 2018-2019 winter season.

Additionally, climate change is resulting in more heavy-ice winters and increasing intensity and frequency of extreme storms that are impacting ice cover thickness and unpredictable ice floes.

My amendment would ensure that the Great Lakes has sufficient icebreaking capacity and keep our Nation's economy moving forward. Chair Cantwell supports the Great Lakes icebreaker, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment and ask for the yeas and nays.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the installation of a historical marker in the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church yard on August 1, 2021, that will memorialize the life and death of three citizens who were lynched in 1908. This month, my constituent, Ms. Joyce Salter Johnson, will travel with friends and family from Wisconsin to Mississippi to honor her relative Frank Johnson, as one of those three men who were violently murdered in Hickory, MS.

This historical marker is part of the important work being done by the Equal Justice Initiative in honoring and memorializing lives lost to racial violence in this country through its Community Remembrance Project. With its mission to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, challenge racial and economic injustice, and protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable, the Equal Justice Initiative has been working to expose the truth, advocate for change, and create hope for historically marginalized communities. Lawyer and author Bryan Stevenson founded Equal Justice Initiative in 1989, and since then, it has grown to an organization of robust projects, hands-on education, and publically accessible museums and memorials. In April of 2018, following in the footsteps of the late Dr. James Cameron of Milwaukee's Black Holocaust Museum in my home State of Wisconsin, the Equal Justice Initiative--EJI--opened America's first national memorial dedicated to victims of racial terror lynching and a new museum dedicated to slavery and its legacy was opened in Montgomery, AL.

EJI's Community Remembrance Project partners with community coalitions to do extensive research of documented victims of racial violence. EJI fosters critical conversations about our history and race and justice today. The Community Remembrance Project memorializes documented victims of racial violence and its Community Soil Collection Project gathers soil at lynching sites for display in powerful exhibits honoring these victims. Narrative historical markers are erected in public locations where violence took place.

My constituent, Wisconsin resident Joyce Salter Johnson, is a historian whose third book provides a well-researched history of the Freedmen Settlement of Good Hope, MS, where she lived until the age of 10. Thus, prior to EJI's documentation, she knew the terrible sequence of events that led to the October 10, 1908, lynching of her relative, Mr. Frank Johnson, and the two others. Given her knowledge, research skills, and inclinations, she was well-suited to take leadership among the coalition members working on the Community Remembrance Project for these men, and for that, I am thankful.

I commend the work of the Equal Justice Initiative and all who help further the Community Remembrance Project's mission of confronting the legacy of slavery, lynching, and segregation and charting a better future. And I extend my solidarity to Ms. Johnson and her family and friends on their personal journey of remembrance and memorial.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the service of Todd Crouch, my director of state operations, who retired from my office and the U.S. Senate on June 30, 2021.

Todd has spent nearly 22 years as a valued member of my staff. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Todd first joined my State assembly staff in 1997 as an intern. By a stroke of luck on both of our parts, Todd was assigned to my office to complete his coursework. He would later tell me that he didn't know much about me and my work in the assembly but had heard that I was smart, hard- working, and a good listener. I quickly learned that I could say the same about Todd.

After my election to the U.S. House of Representatives in late 1998, Todd joined my office as a field representative. Todd worked directly to serve constituents in our Madison area district, visiting organizations and businesses and serving as my representative at countless community events. He set up listening sessions through the district and staffed me at those events. Some listening sessions presented special and occasionally dramatic challenges. Todd nimbly navigated us through the occasional unexpected attendee with creativity and good humor.

In 2001, Todd transitioned to a role as our district office manager and district scheduler. This dual role highlighted some of Todd's greatest skills. An organized and methodical scheduler, he handled sticky situations with great care, including delayed flights, last minute cancellations, and many competing demands on limited time. He ran our district offices with a close attention to detail, ensuring their smooth operation and providing our State staff with a steady hand to turn to when trouble arose.

Todd remained in this dual role until my election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. I was fortunate to have Todd continue on my U.S. Senate staff. Initially serving as my Madison office director, which had expanded far beyond the size of our district office, Todd's role eventually grew to encompass all of our State operations. He managed our offices in Madison, Milwaukee, La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Green Bay, as well as our mobile office, affectionately known to us as The Beast. Todd later added several additional support roles, including two short stints as a pinch-hitter State scheduler, as well as coordinating our Grants and Special Projects portfolio.

Outside of the office, Todd is a devoted husband and father. He and his husband James Bond are the proud parents of their energetic young sons, Derrion and SJ. Todd and James are also longtime committed foster parents who have an open door to a welcoming and loving home.

I am fortunate to have had Todd as a valued member of my staff for these past many years, and I know that my staff, both past and present, feel the same. He has a sneaky and delightful sense of humor, which often helps relieve a tense or difficult situation. He is diligent in his approach to his work and to public service and leads by example. Along with my entire U.S. Senate staff, I wish him all the best as he begins a new chapter with his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the 150th anniversary of GLC Minerals, a fifth-generation, family owned company that has contributed to the growth and success of the city of Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin since 1871.

Wisconsin's indigenous Tribes lived in this area for thousands of years and recognized the strategic importance of the bay of Green Bay. The confluence of river and lake contributed to the success of their thriving communities.

In 1634 the first European explorer, Jean Nicolet, arrived on the shores of Green Bay, and the development of this city on our country's western frontier was launched. As the community of what is now greater Green Bay grew, eager, hard-working settlers with an entrepreneurial spirit arrived to build an economy rooted in iron smelting, timber, and cheesemaking. Fred Hurlbut, Sr., was one of these industrious settlers and in 1871 established the Hurlbut Calcium and Chemical Company.

The generations that followed honored the vision of Fred Hurlbut, Sr., and as the economy grew and changed, so did the company. In 1940, the company moved to the shores of the Fox River. In 2015, the business received its final name change to GLC Minerals. And today, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary, GLC Minerals remains an anchor of our Green Bay community as a successful manufacturer of calcium and magnesium carbonate products used in animal feed, mineral fillers, pollution filters, and soil conditioners.

Mr. President, in Wisconsin, we make things. We are known for our brats and

cheese and paper, but our economy is so much more diverse. GLC Minerals represents that diversified economic base that has propelled our State forward as a great place to work, live, and raise a family. As a custom manufacturer of minerals and applications, GLC Minerals contributes to our dairy, poultry, glass, paper, construction, and agricultural sector. I applaud fifth-generation family member Wesley Hurlbut Garner, II, for his wise stewardship of this vital Wisconsin business and wish GLC Minerals and the Garner family great success in the next 150 years

Madam President, I rise today to honor the service of Janet Piraino, my State director, who will retire from my office and the U.S. Senate on July 19, 2021.

Janet has spent her professional career dedicated to serving Wisconsinites. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin--Madison, Janet forged a path in public service early in her career. Her first job was as a field organizer for a race for Wisconsin Governor, followed by nearly 10 years as a legislative policy advisor to Wisconsin legislators in the State capitol.

Janet quickly earned recognition as a valued staff member and committed leader. Her experiences working with both legislators and constituents led to her assuming positions in a variety of roles, both at the local and Federal government level.

Over the past 30-plus years, Janet has served in a variety of capacities with many Wisconsin elected officials, including 7 years as State director for U.S. Senator Russ Feingold; 2 years as chief of staff for Congressman Tom Barrett; 8 years as chief of staff for Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz; and 2 years as district director for U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan. Outside of her roles in government, Janet has also worked as a special assistant for State relations at the University of Wisconsin System and as vice president for advancement at the Overture Center Foundation in Madison, where she led the charge to help transition this legacy performing arts venue from a city-run venue to a privately owned facility.

Janet is also an active member of many community organizations, including Madison's Downtown Rotary. She spends considerable time engaged in meeting with others interested in pursuing a career in public service and has mentored countless Wisconsinites over these many years.

Outside of the office, Janet enjoys spending time with her partner of 20 years, J.R. Sims, their grandbaby, Titan Cairo Sims, and their enthusiastic pandemic puppy, Sadie. Janet also enjoys traveling and participating in organized bike rides, including the Door County Century and the Best Dam Bike Tour on her Wisconsin made Trek Madone. She is a devoted fan of the Milwaukee Bucks, especially Giannis Antetokounmpo, and is always eager to host friends and colleagues on her roof deck overlooking the Madison skyline.

I knew of Janet's can-do reputation and energetic commitment to public service long before she joined my Senate office in 2015, and I am delighted that she has become a valued member of our team. Along with my entire U.S. Senate staff, I wish her all the best as she begins a new chapter with her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. President, today I rise to honor David Mahoney, sheriff of Dane County, WI, on his retirement. Throughout his long and notable career in law enforcement, Sheriff Mahoney has been a champion of those in the profession and an advocate of deepening community engagement.

After earning degrees from Madison College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sheriff Mahoney began his 41-year career in law enforcement, all but one of which was spent in the Dane County Sheriff's Office. He also graduated from the National Sheriffs' Institute Executive Management Program and the FBI National Academy for Executive Management. Sheriff Mahoney's distinguished career includes extensive experience in labor management, having served 12 years as a local, State, and national labor executive officer, including several years as head of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. His leadership abilities were recognized when he was appointed president of the National Sheriffs' Association and the Badgerland Sheriffs' Association.

Sheriff Mahoney was elected as the 52nd sheriff of Dane County in 2006. He won reelection in 2010, 2014, and 2018. As Sheriff, Dave led an organization of 600 staff in a county spanning 1,238 square miles with over 575,000 residents. He was a steadfast advocate for justice, safety, taxpayers, and the men and women in uniform who served on his team.

During his tenure, Sheriff Mahoney worked hard to reduce recidivism and engage in partnerships to promote criminal justice reform. He is especially respected for his work in understanding the reasons people enter the criminal justice system and developing programming in a jail setting to address these reasons. He has been a strong advocate for more humane conditions in the county's aging jail facilities, including improving access to mental health and substance abuse treatment. He also expanded electronic monitoring programs to reduce a growing jail population and ended a costly program that transferred inmates to facilities in other counties.

But Sheriff Mahoney is perhaps best known for his efforts to expand community engagement and rebuild trust between communities of color and law enforcement. Under his leadership, the sheriff's office partnered with the Justified Anger Coalition, a local initiative designed to eliminate racial disparities and create opportunities for African Americans. He also served on the county's Criminal Justice Council, which pursues reform across both the legal and penal systems.

While Sheriff Mahoney is retiring from the Dane County Sheriff's Office, he is not retiring from his dedication to safety and security. He will continue his leadership in his new role as the director of Strategy and Support in the Protective Services Division of American Family Insurance, and he will remain a strong voice in the community's pursuit of racial justice reform.

I am proud to honor Sheriff David Mahoney's four decades of protecting Dane County citizens with respect and grace, and I am grateful to call him my friend.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 116, Jewel Hairston Bronaugh, to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

I know of no further debate.

I ask unanimous consent that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; and that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate then 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

proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 214, submitted earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 215, submitted earlier today.

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 with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 3 p.m., Monday, May 17; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date; the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day and morning business be closed; further, upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 58, S. 1260; and finally, that the cloture motion on the motion to proceed filed during today's session ripen at 5:30 p.m.

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 ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.