Tribute to Major Brian Leitzke (Cong. Rec., Dec. 1, 2020)
Summary
This is page S7136 of the Congressional Record, Senate, December 1, 2020, continuing onto S7137. The page opens with the end of text describing a proposed sale of HMMWVs and related support to Lebanon, with a total estimated cost of $55.5 million and American General, South Bend, Indiana, as principal contractor. Under Vote Explanation, Ms. Sinema states that the absence was necessary and that a yes vote would have been cast on rollcall vote No. 240, the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Taylor B. McNeel. Mr. Moran pays tribute to MAJ Mark Bedrin and to Mike Heldstab, and Mr. Cotton pays tribute to MAJ Brian Leitzke on completing the Air Force Legislative Defense Fellowship. The page then begins a list of executive communications, starting at EC–5932.
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Cite this document
“Tribute to Major Brian Leitzke (Cong. Rec., Dec. 1, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-01-crec-2020-12-01-pt1-pgs7136-4-4dc3d9c0e7/
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S7136 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 1, 2020
(150) each). Also included are spare and re- leader, Attack Company, 1–32 IN, 3rd nities in south central Kansas and our
pair parts, publications and technical docu- BCT, 10th Mountain Division at Fort military installations—namely, Fort
mentation, personnel training and training Drum, NY, and Afghanistan; assistant Riley and his hometown of Junction
equipment, technical and logistics support
operations officer, rifle troop com- City.
services, and other related elements of
logistical and program support. The total es- mander, and headquarters and head- Mike is a tireless advocate for serv-
timated cost is $55.5 million. quarters troop commander, 1st Squad- icemembers and veterans. He is well
This proposed sale will support the foreign ron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army known in the Kansas military and vet-
policy and national security of the United Europe, in Germany, Afghanistan, and erans communities as a trusted re-
States by helping to improve the security of Egypt. His operational deployments in- source who produces results. Most no-
a partner country that continues to be an clude two combat tours in support of tably, Mike advocated for a policy
important force for political stability and Operation Enduring Freedom in Af- change in the VA’s Specially Adapted
economic progress in the Middle East. Housing Program after working with
ghanistan and one peacekeeping tour
The proposed sale will provide sufficient
modern transport vehicles to improve Leb- supporting the Multinational Force the family of a disabled Army veteran
anon’s capability to meet current and future and Observers, MFO, in Egypt. to adapt their home. His efforts re-
threats by improving its ability to move Following a successful command sulted in new legislation that was
troops and supplies around the country to tour, Mark applied to and was selected signed into law on August 8, 2020, that
counter violent extremist organizations and for the highly competitive U.S. Army expanded this critical grant program so
to secure its border. Lebanon will have no Congressional Fellowship Program. disabled veterans can adapt their
difficulty absorbing this additional equip- This program enables outstanding mili- homes to fit their disability. I am con-
ment and services into its armed forces as tary officers and DOD civilians to bring fident that Mike’s selfless approach to
they currently operate over one thousand
(1,000) HMMWVs of various variants.
their talents to the hill and to work in service will continue in every aspect of
The proposed sale of this equipment and a Member’s office as a congressional his life.
support will not alter the basic military bal- defense fellow to learn firsthand how In addition to his work assisting vet-
ance in the region. Congress operates. It also provides an erans and military servicemembers,
The principal contractor will be American opportunity for the fellow to earn a Mike was involved in Wichita-area vol-
General, South Bend, Indiana. There are no master’s degree in legislative affairs at unteer organizations and strived to be
known offset agreements proposed in connec- George Washington University, GWU. a community leader. Mike has a pas-
tion with this potential sale. Mark joined my office as an Army sion for economic development that I
Implementation of this proposed sale will
congressional fellow in January 2017, am certain will serve him well in his
require the assignment of two (2) U.S. con-
tractor representatives to Lebanon for a du- and we had the great benefit of his next chapters in life. I commend his ef-
ration of up to thirteen (13) weeks to conduct service on Team Moran for a year be- forts to make Kansas and Wichita a
HMMWV operator and maintenance training. fore he departed for the Pentagon in better place.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. de- January 2018 for a utilization tour as a Mike’s highlights from his years on
fense readiness as a result of this proposed congressional budget liaison with the staff include being able to travel and
sale. Assistant Secretary of the Army, Fi- meet with Senator Bob Dole between
f nancial Management and Comptroller. 2014 and 2015 when Kansas’s Favorite
Mark has worked tirelessly with Son was touring all 105 counties. He
VOTE EXPLANATION
Members of Congress and congressional also cherished his opportunities to
Ms. SINEMA. Mr. President, I was staff to accurately articulate and to interact with our military, which pro-
necessarily absent, but had I been timely provide the Army’s budget posi- vided him the chance to fly in Air
present I would have voted yes on roll- tions to the Appropriations Commit- Force tankers out of McConnell Air
call vote No. 240, motion to invoke clo- tees and to answer questions related to Force Base and playing wheelchair bas-
ture on the nomination of Taylor B. Army programs and priorities for Mem- ketball with wounded warriors.
McNeel, of Mississippi, to be United bers of Congress and congressional While Mike is leaving our staff, I
States District Judge for the Southern staff. His dedication, professionalism, know I will see him many more times
District of Mississippi. and commitment to the Army are un- in the years ahead as a friend and
f matched, and his work both as a fellow trusted adviser. Thank you, Mike, for
and as a liaison successfully rep- your many years of service to the citi-
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR MARK BEDRIN
resented the U.S. Army and the De- zens of Kansas, and I wish you all the
Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today I partment of Defense to the U.S. Con- best as you start this new chapter of
want to take a few minutes to recog- gress. your career.
nize MAJ Mark Bedrin for his exem- Throughout his career, Major Bedrin f
plary dedication to duty and service as has positively impacted soldiers, peers,
an Army congressional fellow and con- TRIBUTE TO MAJOR BRIAN
and superiors. Our country has bene-
gressional budget liaison for the As- LEITZKE
fited tremendously from his extraor-
sistant Secretary of the Army, Finan- dinary leadership, judgment, and pas- Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I rise
cial Management and Comptroller. sion. I join my colleagues today in hon- today to acknowledge and honor MAJ
Major Bedrin is transitioning from his oring his dedication to our nation and Brian Leitzke for his dedicated service
present assignment to continue his invaluable service to the U.S. Congress. in the U.S. Air Force and his comple-
service to our country as an Army offi- It has been a genuine pleasure to tion of the Air Force Legislative De-
cer. have worked with Major Mark Bedrin fense Fellowship with my office. Major
The cornerstone of Mark’s success as over the last 3 years. On behalf of a Leitzke joined my office in January of
an officer is his family. He is a dedi- grateful nation, I join my colleagues this year, where he served as my De-
cated husband to his wife Katie and a today in recognizing and commending fense Fellow. Previously, he served as
devoted father to his children: daugh- Mark for his service to our country, an Air Force Fellow in the Office of the
ter Elizabeth and son Patrick. They and we wish Mark and his family all Secretary of Defense. As a Defense Fel-
provide the foundation for Mark’s serv- the very best in their future endeavors. low, Major Leitzke demonstrated a su-
ice, and they are his off-time partners f perior work ethic and tireless dedica-
in travel, canoeing, fishing, and explor- tion to his legislative duties, making
ing the great outdoors. TRIBUTE TO MIKE HELDSTAB him a trusted voice and integral mem-
A native of Kirkwood, NY, Major Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, Mike ber of my defense team. Major Leitzke
Bedrin graduated from Pennsylvania Heldstab joined my staff in June of drafted or coauthored almost 40 pieces
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
State University in 2009, with a bach- 2014. Serving as my State military liai- of legislation, including $45.2 billion in
elor of arts in history, and commis- son, he assisted well over a thousand authorizations for the National De-
sioned into the Infantry branch, where Kansas veterans and Active service- fense Authorization Act and the
he served as a platoon leader and com- members during his 61⁄2 years on my CARES Act. Additionally, he prepared
pany commander. Other notable pre- staff. Mike would often travel the for 28 hearings of the Senate Armed
vious assignments include platoon State in my stead, between commu- Services Committee and orchestrated
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December 1, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7137
more than 30 engagements between De- EC–5932. A communication from the Sec- Health and Human Services, transmitting,
partment of Defense principals, staff, retary of the Securities and Exchange Com- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
and Members of Congress. Finally, he mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the ‘‘Medicare Part B Monthly Actuarial Rates,
report of a rule entitled ‘‘Use of Derivatives Premium Rates, and Annual Deductible Be-
single-handedly championed the bill
by Registered Investment Companies and ginning January 1, 2021 (CMS–8076–N)’’
which granted Sergeant First Class Business Development Companies’’ (RIN3235– (RIN0938–AU16) received in the Office of the
Alwyn C. Cashe the President of the AL60) received in the Office of the President President of the Senate on November 18,
United States Medal of Honor Author- of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the 2020; to the Committee on Finance.
ity. As part of this effort, he galvanized Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban EC–5942. A communication from the Direc-
bicameral, bipartisan support across 12 Affairs. tor of the Legal Processing Division, Inter-
Member offices. EC–5933. A communication from the Sec- nal Revenue Service, Department of the
Brian is a humble professional, re- retary of the Securities and Exchange Com- Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the
lentlessly focused on accomplishing mission, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘TD: Updated Life
report of a rule entitled ‘‘Facilitating Cap- Expectancy and Distribution Period Tables
tremendous work for our nation, as
ital Formation and Expanding Investment Used for Purposes of Determining Minimum
demonstrated both in my office and Opportunities by Improving Access to Cap- Required Distributions’’ ((RIN1545–BP11) (TD
during his time in the Air Force. Prior ital in Private Markets’’ (RIN3235–AM27) re- 9930)) received in the Office of the President
to his current status as a Defense Fel- ceived in the Office of the President of the of the Senate on November 16, 2020; to the
low, Major Leitzke was an F–15E in- Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Com- Committee on Finance.
structor at the USAF Weapons School, mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af- EC–5943. A communication from the Assist-
embracing the task of teaching the Air fairs. ant Secretary for Legislation, Department of
Force’s best tacticians. There, he EC–5934. A communication from the Assist- Health and Human Services, transmitting,
ant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘Innova-
served as the wing weapons officer and
Parks, National Park Service, Department of tive State Initiatives and Strategies for Pro-
was selected Wing Instructor of the the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, viding Housing-Related Services and Sup-
Year. He had a career of continuous the report of a rule entitled ‘‘General Provi- ports under a State Medicaid Program to In-
flying until this assignment, with com- sions; Electric Bicycles’’ (RIN1024–AE61) re- dividuals with Substance Use Disorders Who
bat experience in Operation ENDUR- ceived in the Office of the President of the Are Experiencing or at Risk of Experiencing
ING FREEDOM, and well over 500 in- Senate on November 17, 2020; to the Com- Homelessness’’; to the Committee on Fi-
structor hours. He recently completed mittee on Energy and Natural Resources. nance.
an Air University master’s with ‘‘High- EC–5935. A communication from the Assist- EC–5944. A communication from the Regu-
ant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and lations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare
est Academic Distinction’’ and
Parks, National Park Service, Department of and Medicaid Services, Department of
achieved a 4.0 grade point average. the Interior, transmitting, pursuant to law, Health and Human Services, transmitting,
Major Leitzke demonstrated tactical the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Jurisdiction in pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled
acumen and extraordinary leadership Alaska’’ (RIN1024–AE63) received in the Of- ‘‘Transparency in Coverage’’ (RIN0938–AU04)
ability in each of these challenges, in- fice of the President of the Senate on No- received during adjournment of the Senate
cluding his time in the Senate. vember 17, 2020; to the Committee on Energy in the Office of the President of the Senate
On behalf of the U.S. Senate and a and Natural Resources. on November 5, 2020; to the Committee on
grateful nation, I want to express our EC–5936. A communication from the Ad- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
thanks to Major Letizke for his dedi- ministrator and Chief Executive Officer, EC–5945. A communication from the Assist-
Bonneville Power Administration, Depart- ant Secretary for Legislation, Department of
cated service to the U.S. Air Force, the
ment of Energy, transmitting, pursuant to Health and Human Services, transmitting,
U.S. Senate, Arkansans, and all Ameri- law, the Administration’s Annual Report for pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘National
cans. My office has benefited greatly fiscal year 2020; to the Committee on Energy Health Service Corps Report to Congress for
from his tireless efforts and leadership. and Natural Resources. the Year 2019’’; to the Committee on Health,
I have no doubt the U.S. Air Force will EC–5937. A communication from the Direc- Education, Labor, and Pensions.
continue to reap the benefits from this tor, Office of Management and Budget, Exec- EC–5946. A communication from the Assist-
truly dedicated American. As I thank utive Office of the President, transmitting, ant Secretary for Legislation, Department of
Major Leitzke for his service, I also pursuant to law, a report and the Uniform Health and Human Services, transmitting,
Resource Locator (URL) for the report on pursuant to law, a report entitled ‘‘Twelfth
thank his wonderful family, which has other U.S. contributions to the United Na- Annual Report on Delays in Approvals of Ap-
remained by his side for his years of tions and its affiliated agencies during fiscal plications Related to Citizen Petitions and
military service. Major Leitzke resides year 2018; to the Committee on Foreign Rela- Petitions for Stay of Agency Action for Fis-
in Woodbridge, VA, with his loving tions. cal Year 2019’’; to the Committee on Health,
wife, Amanda Leitzke, and three chil- EC–5938. A communication from the Direc- Education, Labor, and Pensions.
dren, Lincoln, Faith, and Kamali. It tor of the Legal Processing Division, Inter- EC–5947. A communication from the Board
has been a great privilege to work with nal Revenue Service, Department of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Farm
Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Credit Administration, transmitting, pursu-
Major Leitzke, and I wish him the best
report of a rule entitled ‘‘Revenue Proce- ant to law, the Administration’s Semiannual
of luck on his next assignment. Thank dure: Gaming Industry Tip Compliance Report of the Inspector General and the
you for everything Major Brian ‘‘Bud’’ Agreement Program’’ (Rev. Proc. 2020–47) re- Semiannual Management Report on the Sta-
Leitzke. Continue your work doing ceived in the Office of the President of the tus of Audits for the period from April 1, 2020
‘‘Good things for America.’’ ‘‘Banzai!’’ Senate on November 16, 2020; to the Com- through September 30, 2020; to the Com-
f mittee on Finance. mittee on Homeland Security and Govern-
EC–5939. A communication from the Direc- mental Affairs.
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER tor of the Legal Processing Division, Inter- EC–5948. A communication from the Archi-
COMMUNICATIONS nal Revenue Service, Department of the vist of the United States, National Archives
The following communications were Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the and Records Administration, transmitting,
report of a rule entitled ‘‘Additional First pursuant to law, the Administration’s Agen-
laid before the Senate, together with Year Depreciation Deduction’’ ((RIN1545– cy Financial Report for fiscal year 2020; to
accompanying papers, reports, and doc- BP32) (TD 9916)) received in the Office of the the Committee on Homeland Security and
uments, and were referred as indicated: President of the Senate on November 16, Governmental Affairs.
EC–5930. A communication from the Under 2020; to the Committee on Finance. EC–5949. A communication from the Sec-
Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and EC–5940. A communication from the Direc- retary of Labor, transmitting, pursuant to
Sustainment), transmitting, pursuant to tor of the Publications and Regulations law, the Department of Labor’s Agency Fi-
law, a report relative to an inventory sum- Branch, Internal Revenue Service, Depart- nancial Report for fiscal year 2020 and the
mary of certain required activities per- ment of the Treasury, transmitting, pursu- Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Re-
formed during the preceding fiscal year pur- ant to law, the report of a rule entitled port; to the Committee on Homeland Secu-
suant to staff augmentation contracts for ‘‘Gain or Loss of Foreign Persons from Sale rity and Governmental Affairs.
services for on behalf of the Department; to or Exchange of Certain Partnership Inter- EC–5950. A communication from the Assist-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
the Committee on Armed Services. ests’’ ((RIN1545–BO86) (TD 9919)) received in ant Secretary, Bureau of Legislative Affairs,
EC–5931. A communication from the Chair- the Office of the President of the Senate on Department of State, transmitting, pursuant
man and President of the Export-Import November 16, 2020; to the Committee on Fi- to law, the Department’s Agency Financial
Bank, transmitting, pursuant to law, a re- nance. Report for fiscal year 2020 and the Uniform
port relative to transactions involving U.S. EC–5941. A communication from the Regu- Resource Locator (URL) for the Report; to
exports to Panama; to the Committee on lations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare the Committee on Homeland Security and
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. and Medicaid Services, Department of Governmental Affairs.
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