Congressional Record, Senate - August 5, 2020, S4897
Summary
This is page S4897 of the Congressional Record, Senate, August 5, 2020, with interleaved columns, under the heading COVID heroes speeches. Mr. Hoeven honors North Dakota healthcare workers, including Dr. Chris Pribula, who helped set up a COVID unit at Sanford Hospital in Fargo and stayed on duty for 18 days, and Dr. Kremens of Essentia Health. He also cites Proof Artisan Distillery, whose president Joel Kath describes supplying hand sanitizer to a memory care group, and Infinite Leap, founded by an Air Force veteran. Another speaker praises Dr. Zink and her work on reopening schools. Mr. Roberts begins remarks on agriculture workers.
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“Congressional Record, Senate - August 5, 2020, S4897.”
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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
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