Congressional Record, Senate — Page S4898, August 5, 2020
Summary
Page S4898 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for August 5, 2020. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry thanks farmers, ranchers and growers, and says net farm income is estimated to drop by nearly $20 billion as of this year. Tributes to healthcare heroes name Dr. Jeff Ross and describe the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the UMC National Telehealth Center of Excellence. Other remarks mention the green card backlog in the immigration system and Operation Downtown ambassadors, including Julie Skalberg, who clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces in Des Moines.
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“Congressional Record, Senate — Page S4898, August 5, 2020.”
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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
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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
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August 5, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4899
many families is Andy Mercier, who we are truly blessed to have everyday effort to help folks feel secure during
leads Merchants Foodservice in Hat- heroes back in our 50 States who are what can be a very scary time.
tiesburg. In partnership with the Mis- working around the clock to help out Despite the potential risk, Cynthia
sissippi Food Network, his 800 employ- their neighbors. Allen—another Operation Downtown
ees have remained on the payroll and Essential workers haven’t taken a ambassador—says she feels that it is an
worked to provide more than 100,000 break. They have been keeping our honor to give back to our community.
gallons of milk and nearly half a mil- country running—and not just during Folks, the actions of these and many,
lion food produce boxes to those in this global pandemic but every single many others like them who are pitch-
need. day. I have heard, time and again, sto- ing in and doing their part are exam-
These USDA Farmers to Families ries of Iowans helping Iowans. Folks ples of what I like to call ‘‘Iowa Nice.’’
boxes filled with food products from are volunteering their time and their For each of them, serving others is not
Mississippi farmers and producers have talents to serve their communities and a chore but, rather, a gift greeted with
sustained families and helped our hard- ensure no one feels alone during this gratitude.
hit agricultural industry. time of social distancing. At a time filled with immeasurable
In addition to efforts in the private When my friend Iowa Governor Kim uncertainty, these heartland heroes are
sector, our churches and nonprofits Reynolds announced that there was a bringing comfort to their communities,
across our State are also working tire- shortage of face masks to protect including complete strangers, many
lessly for Mississippians. St. James frontline workers, Iowans, including who are isolated and alone.
United Methodist Church in Columbus my own mother, started sewing. Defeating this virus will require the
coordinated with a Delta catfish pro- Deb Siggins of Lisbon, IA, has made development of an effective vaccine,
ducer to distribute five tons of Mis- more than 400 masks that she has do- and Iowa is helping to lead the way in
sissippi farm-raised catfish to those in nated to a local hospital, her friends, this effort. Right now, the hard-work-
need in the Golden Triangle region. and coworkers, the local fire depart- ing folks at the University of Iowa’s
Finally, I could not stand up here ment, grocery store employees, and el- Medical School are working with Pfizer
today and fail to mention our Mis- derly patients. She has even turned a to develop a COVID–19 vaccine. In the
sissippi teachers, especially as so many tree near her home into a ‘‘giving tree’’ annual Defense bill that recently
schools across our State are beginning decorated with her homemade masks passed the Senate, I helped increase
the new academic year this month. for people to take, which she is con- funding for these types of studies and
Last spring, our teachers accepted stantly updating. Deb plans to keep
developments.
the challenge and quickly transitioned making the masks until they are no The efforts of our bright young Iowa
their classrooms to a new kind of longer needed because she believes that
college students, combined with the
learning through technology and other sewing is her gift from God, which she
work of Operation Warp Speed and the
can use to help others.
socially distanced means. While those administration, provide great hope for
Mary Shotwell of Des Moines wanted
challenges continue as schools navi- the future development of cures, treat-
to give back to those helping her dur-
gate how best to serve students this ing this pandemic. In ‘‘i-sew-lation,’’ as ments, and vaccines. Now, as we wait
fall, each and every one of our teachers she describes it, Mary sewed masks for for the results, let’s not forget the hope
will be in my prayers over the next few her entire neighborhood and healthcare that the stories of our everyday COVID
weeks. workers at Broadlawns Medical Center. heroes bring. It is the Iowa way: step-
In every facet of our society, we have In addition to the demand for masks, ping up and doing your part—meeting
heroes standing up to help their neigh- there has also been an increased need the needs of family, friends, and even
bors during unprecedented challenges. for food, especially to feed our hungry strangers.
To all of the healthcare workers and kiddos. Linn-Mar teacher Carla Iron- Folks, I have said it before, and I will
first responders on the frontlines side, who hasn’t seen her students in say it yet once again here today: We
against this virus, to all the research- the classroom since March, now sees will get through these challenging
ers racing to test treatments and de- some of them when they pick up meals times, and we will do it together.
velop protocols, to all of the people at Feeding Lunches to Youth in Marion I yield the floor.
making hand sanitizers and PPE to and Cedar Rapids, where she volun- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
help prevent the spread of this virus, to teers. Carla says the opportunity to ator from Iowa.
all the bankers and small businesses serve these meals helps calm her anx- Ms. ERNST. I suggest the absence of
working to keep people on the payroll, ious mind, knowing her students are a quorum.
to all of our farmers, ranchers, food fed. She said: ‘‘I get to see their smiles The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
distributors, and grocery store workers . . . and it helps me, and I think it clerk will call the roll.
keeping food on the store shelves and helps them.’’ The senior assistant legislative clerk
on our tables, to all of our churches But it is not just our wonderful proceeded to call the roll.
and nonprofit organizations serving teachers; students are doing their part Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask
our communities, and to our teachers too. Allie Stutting of Princeton, IA, unanimous consent that the order for
who are facing challenges they could who is a University of Iowa student, the quorum call be rescinded.
have never imagined, from the bottom launched an effort to mobilize her The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
of my heart, I say thank you. Your he- peers to serve and protect those at objection, it is so ordered.
roic labors are noticed, and they are heightened risk. Worried about the f
greatly appreciated. threat COVID posed to her grand- UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST
I yield the floor. parents and the elderly, Allie set up a
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- network of young people called the Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I have
ator from Iowa. Iowa City Errand-ers to get groceries come to the floor again today to speak
f and food, pick up prescriptions, and about an obscure section of immigra-
run other errands for older folks and tion law that has a direct impact on
COVID–19 HEROES the lives of literally millions of people
others in need. Allie’s idea has inspired
Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I want to an army of over 400 volunteers—yes, 400 living and working in the United
thank my colleagues today—the Sen- volunteers, folks. States. I am here to speak about the
ator from Mississippi, the Senator from The story of these everyday heroes plight of immigrant workers who are
Kansas, and so forth—for coming down suffering because of a serious problem
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continues. To keep those who are ven-
and spending just a little bit of time turing out safe, ambassadors from Op- in our immigration system, known as
talking about the wonderful heroes we eration Downtown are walking around the green card backlog. Many of these
have in our home States, and we really Des Moines, cleaning and sanitizing immigrants are essential workers help-
do have so, so many of them. handrailings, door handles, parking ing to lead the fight against COVID–19.
While the country is anxiously await- meters, and other high-touch surfaces. We have just heard tributes on the
ing Washington to come together and Julie Skalberg, an Operation Down- floor to these healthcare heroes from
pass an updated COVID relief package, town ambassador, explains that it is an Senators on the other side.
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