COVID-19 Heroes (Cong. Rec., Aug. 5, 2020)
Summary
Page S4897 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for August 5, 2020, headed COVID-19 Heroes, in interleaved columns. A Senator recognizes North Dakota health care professionals, and relays a story from Proof Artisan Distillery's president, Joel Kath, about a call from a memory care group short of sanitizer. A second tribute names rural hospital nurses Larue Lambert, Tammy Livingston, Misty Britt and Christina Miller. Another speaker discusses reopening schools safely and keeping them open, and others note small business loans processed and work to keep meat and poultry processing plants running.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“COVID-19 Heroes (Cong. Rec., Aug. 5, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-08-05-crec-2020-08-05-pt1-pgs4897-2-4949034239/
, SHA-256 b6a2041cd2c30be9af2278544bf570ee343afb4ec7d5686db33575df8da1ab61.Full text
August 5, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4897
been a mark of success in terms of supply in the world in tough times and highway patrols from four neighboring
being able to identify and then isolate even in times when we face something States.
and then keep the virus from transmit- like a pandemic. Proof Artisan Distillery’s president,
ting. Today, I would like to recognize the Joel Kath, relayed this story:
She is now very, very focused on how valiant efforts of the healthcare profes- During our second day of production, I an-
we safely return our kids back to sionals in my State and across this swered a frantic call from a supply director
school. I had a long conversation with country and highlight some of the of a large memory care group. They were vir-
her a few days back. She says that this work our North Dakotans are doing— tually out of sanitizer and would not be re-
is the ultimate challenge in that it is doctors, nurses, and many others work- supplied through their normal channels for
ing in hospitals and clinics across our many weeks. The caller broke down with
not just how we reopen schools but how
emotion when I confirmed that we could eas-
we keep our schools open after that. State. ily supply their needs. It’s a response I will
That is our challenge. North Dakota’s healthcare profes- never forget, and a constant reminder of the
She shared with me—she said: I sionals have been working around the importance of our task at hand.
thought that putting together the clock to prevent the spread of this Another example from my home
plans and the protocols for the seafood virus and to treat those affected by State is Infinite Leap, a company
processors was going to be challenging COVID–19. founded by Air Force veteran Mark
and difficult in these very remote com- One example is Dr. Chris Pribula, a
Rheault that is using technology to
munities where they have limited graduate of the University of North
help healthcare providers offer virtual
healthcare in the event that you have Dakota Medical School, who worked
waiting rooms. Infinite Leap’s tech-
the virus spread. That was difficult, with a team to set up the COVID Care
nology helps eliminate registration
but getting our schools open and keep- Unit at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. He
lines, reduce congestion in waiting
ing them open safely—this is the big- was on duty when the first COVID pa-
areas, and decrease patient waiting
gest challenge. tient arrived at the hospital and re-
times. Not only is this technology
She said that schools are now her mained on duty for the next 18 days
being utilized by healthcare providers
new seafood processors. So she is tak- straight to make sure that staff and
to help maintain social distancing, the
ing up the challenge aggressively. patients had everything they needed.
technology is also helping other indus-
Dr. Zink reminds us that at the end Over the past several months, I have
tries, including restaurants and manu-
of the day, what we have to stay fo- held a number of roundtables with
facturing plants, to safely reopen.
cused on is keeping people safe, keep- healthcare professionals in North Da-
These are just a few examples of the
ing our families and our workers safe. kota. As we have discussed issues and
individuals and organizations that
This is a moment about all of us and challenges, one thing is clear: Our
have stepped up and helped their com-
how we respond during this great time healthcare providers are diligent and
munities to meet the challenges during
of need. dedicated in their efforts to prepare for
this health emergency.
I am extraordinarily thankful for Dr. and prevent the spread of coronavirus
Again, I thank our healthcare pro-
Zink’s leadership, both out in front and and to provide patients with the best
viders for their dedicated effort to
behind the scenes as she works with possible care.
Another individual highlighted by his fight this virus. We recognize the chal-
the many extraordinary Alaskans who
colleagues is Dr. Kremens, a critical lenges they face, and we are truly
are seeking to make a difference as we
care physician at Essentia Health who grateful for their hard work. They are,
take on the daily challenges and bat-
intubated and managed multiple criti- in fact, truly everyday heroes.
tles that face us with the COVID–19 re-
cally ill patients at once. Dr. Kremens With that, I yield the floor.
sponse.
is a good example of the many inten- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
With that, I yield the floor.
sive care and emergency department ator from Kansas.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ator from North Dakota. physicians and nurses who have fought f
f on the frontlines of the pandemic and
COVID–19 HEROES
continue to do so.
COVID–19 HEROES We are grateful for the dedicated Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I rise
Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I rise to service of the many healthcare profes- today to join my many colleagues fa-
join my colleagues in honoring those sionals in North Dakota and recognize miliar with agriculture—the farmers,
who have helped their communities to that they and their loved ones have ranchers, growers, everybody in the
overcome challenges during the made many sacrifices during this food chain—and my thanks to Senator
COVID–19 pandemic. health emergency. ERNST for really starting this, making
There are many everyday heroes who We worked to provide our health pro- a great speech last week. We are all
deserve recognition. We have seen the viders with much needed support in the trying to follow up with the same mes-
efforts of our first responders, law en- first three phases of the coronavirus re- sage to shine a spotlight on our Na-
forcement, teachers, postal and deliv- lief legislation. For example, under the tion’s COVID–19 heroes.
ery employees, and store workers, CARES Act, North Dakota rural hos- We have heard the term ‘‘hero’’ a lot
among others, who have continued pro- pitals and providers have received $135 during this pandemic. I believe the
viding essential services in spite of the million to help with their efforts to title is warranted to describe the many
challenges brought on by the combat COVID–19. As negotiations con- Kansans and, for that matter, all
coronavirus. tinue on the next phase of relief, Americans who are doing extraor-
As the chairman of the Senate Agri- healthcare remains a top priority. dinary work and making great sac-
culture Appropriations Subcommittee, While our healthcare providers have rifices to make this country safer and
I have spoken many times about the been working diligently, I would also healthier.
critically important work of our farm- like to recognize how members of our Today, I want to talk about the he-
ers and our ranchers. communities have stepped up to help roes—the special heroes in agriculture:
I see I am joined here on the floor by our medical professionals as well. our farmers, our ranchers, our growers.
our Agriculture Committee chairman. I An example of the community step- The Sun comes out every day. A lot of
know he has been down here as well ping up to meet the challenge during us are in safe places. We have decided
pointing out how our farmers and the pandemic is Proof Artisan Dis- that is the best alternative for us, and
ranchers are continuing to provide tillers, a small craft distillery in so we have a lot of shutdowns.
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
food, fuel, and fiber for our Nation even Fargo, ND. Back in March, Proof Arti- Not farm country. The farmers,
during this pandemic. We are working san Distillery responded to the commu- ranchers, and growers, they don’t have
to help and support them during this nity need. Working with Tharaldson that option. They have to do what they
challenging time. Every American ben- Ethanol in Casselton, ND, they began have to do in terms of planting their
efits every day from the work of those producing sanitizer for healthcare, as- crops, harvesting their crops, taking
farmers and ranchers, who provide the sisted living facilities, first responders, care of their crops. They work long
highest quality and lowest cost food Tribal and municipal entities, and hours, day in and day out, to produce
VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:28 Aug 06, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05AU6.023 S05AUPT1
S4898 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 5, 2020
the food on our dinner tables and make Now we must take what lessons we coworkers—which are so many—toil
sure our supermarket shelves are have learned in the past few months every day under heavy stress and
stocked. and build upon this progress. heart-wrenching situations to care for
These producers are facing low I am privileged to be the chairman of patients and their families. They are
prices, regulatory overreach, a chal- the Senate Committee on Agriculture, lifesavers, and they are best friends to
lenging trade environment, and drastic Nutrition, and Forestry. I have worked total strangers. They take on extra
and sudden changes in demand for their on the role of addressing rural Amer- shifts and duties while doing what they
crops and animals. To top it off, net ica’s priorities as part of a fourth can to keep morale up. They are
farm income is estimated to drop by COVID–19 relief package, as have all healthcare heroes who are enduring ex-
nearly $20 billion as of this year. De- members of the committee, both Dem- treme conditions.
spite all these challenges, they have ocrat and Republican. Doctors like Dr. Jeff Ross are work-
continued to produce even more with This week, we are considering legis- ing through both physical and mental
less. lation with the hopes of a bipartisan exhaustion. Yet they continue to do
American farmers and ranchers are solution. We all know and we antici- their job, selflessly managing the care
so efficient at their jobs that we are pate this process will go through sev- of their fellow Mississippians.
able to enjoy the most affordable food eral twists and turns before a final In the heavily affected Jackson met-
of any country in the world—and the agreement is reached, but we must pro- ropolitan area, the University of Mis-
most safe. We also have the safest and vide solutions. The entire country is sissippi Medical Center has brought its
most ample food supply. truly counting on us. unique capabilities to bear. In the
That is why I consider—as well as all In closing, I want to again thank our early days of the pandemic, its re-
of my colleagues on the Agriculture farmers, our ranchers, and our growers search labs rushed to create its own in-
Committee and others who are privi- all across the country who have contin- house COVID test. And the UMC Na-
leged to represent farmers, ranchers, ued to do their job during these very tional Telehealth Center of Excellence
and growers—that they are true heroes. difficult times, and I want them to quickly ramped up technology to
Producing food for a troubled and know that we are continuing to work triage patients for testing and provide
hungry world is what farmers do day in to make sure they have the tools need- socially distanced care.
and day out, but especially at times I greatly admire UMC’s work with
ed to continue to feed not only our
like this, it is nothing short of heroic. the Federal Government on best tele-
country but a very troubled and hun-
We have taken steps to address the health practices during a pandemic. As
gry world.
needs of our Nation’s farmers and potential treatments have emerged,
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
ranchers, and in recent months—in UMC researchers and healthcare pro-
ator from Mississippi.
March—unanimously, we passed the viders have stood up eight cutting-edge
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, as
CARES Act. COVID clinical trials in their new clin-
we debate the need for additional
I would say that would be a goal we ical trials unit.
coronavirus relief funding, I am Our healthcare providers aren’t the
might want to achieve with the Heroes pleased to join my colleagues in com- only ones who have been working to
Act scaled down to whatever we want mending the millions of Americans protect the health of Mississippians.
to call it—and also the HEALS Act. At who have gone above and beyond to Industries across the State have quick-
any rate, it was unanimous back then, help others during this pandemic. ly pivoted to provide needed supplies to
and that funded the Department of Ag- Throughout our Nation’s history, ev- fight COVID–19. For example, distill-
riculture to address the needs related eryday heroes emerge in times of tur- eries like Wonderbird Spirits in Taylor,
to the pandemic, among a lot of other moil to aid their neighbors in so many Cathead Distillery in Jackson, and
things. ways. The COVID–19 pandemic is no ex- Lazy Magnolia Brewery in Kiln made
We included $9.5 billion for Agri- ception. In every corner of my State, the quick decision to begin producing
culture Secretary Sonny Perdue to de- Mississippi’s first responders and hand sanitizer early in the pandemic.
liver emergency support for those in healthcare providers are historically Furniture companies, like Confortaire
agriculture and the food industry who stepping into harm’s way to provide in Tupelo, stepped up to produce need-
suffered losses due to the pandemic, care to patients affected by the virus. ed PPE for the North Mississippi Med-
and we included $14 billion partial re- f ical Center and our local schools. And
plenishment for the Department of Ag- Mississippi Prison Industries, a non-
riculture’s Commodity Credit Corpora- REMEMBERING WILLIAM DAVID
MARTIN profit that gives incarcerated individ-
tion to provide additional assistance to uals the opportunity to be employed
affected producers. This legislation en- Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, and gain work experience, is producing
sured the continued implementation of let me first honor the life of William up to 15,000 masks and 7,000 isolation
our 2018 farm bill programs, which do David Martin, a paramedic with Amer- gowns per day.
provide certainty and predictability at ican Medical Response of Southwest Since the start of this pandemic, I
a time when both are scarce. Mississippi, serving on the frontlines of recognized that we are dealing with
We also provided additional resources Mississippi’s healthcare as COVID–19 two emergencies. There is the
for telemedicine, broadband began to spread. healthcare emergency and the eco-
connectivity, as well as business and Sadly, in April, he passed away from nomic emergency. I am proud of the
industry loans. The CARES Act also complications due to the virus. Mr. many ways in which Mississippians are
supplied the Department with the re- Martin is a true hero and one example helping each other weather these dif-
sources to continue mandatory inspec- of the extent to which first responders ficult economic times.
tion services to ensure our food safety and healthcare workers are working to Mississippi bankers worked around
and minimize potential interruption in overcome this national emergency. the clock, 7 days a week, to help small
the food supply chain. f businesses access the Paycheck Protec-
COVID–19 created a ripple effect that tion Program loans. Our friend Brad
has been felt from the farm to the su- COVID–19 HEROES
Jones at the Bank of Franklin in Mead-
permarket. The agriculture and food Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, ville, MS, was so helpful in keeping me
sector, along with the administration, rural hospitals like King’s Daughters abreast of the needs of our local busi-
the CDC, and OSHA have all imple- Medical Center in my hometown of ness owners. Because of their efforts,
mented practices and policies that ad- Brookhaven have always been the
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
Mississippi ranked No. 1 in the entire
dress worker health and safety in our backbone of healthcare in Mississippi. Nation in PPP loans, with nearly 50,000
processing plants. Keeping America’s The work of the staff at these rural loans processed. This tireless work is
meat and poultry processing system hospitals during the pandemic has been helping small businesses stay open
functional was imperative—it was dif- remarkable. with their employees at work.
ficult, but we are making progress—as Dedicated nurses like my friends Ensuring Mississippians have access
was boosting worker safety and protec- Larue Lambert, Tammy Livingston, to food has been a challenge. A Mis-
tion in these plants. Misty Britt, Christina Miller, and their sissippian who has been a godsend to
VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:28 Aug 06, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G05AU6.025 S05AUPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2020-08-05_crec-2020-08-05-pt1-pgs4897-2.pdf
- Size
- 217,108 bytes
- SHA-256
- b6a2041cd2c30be9af2278544bf570ee343afb4ec7d5686db33575df8da1ab61
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov