Congressional Record — Senate, December 2, 2020
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, December 2, 2020, page S7148 and following. The page opens with a Senator's remarks listing legislation worked on, including the America COMPETES Act and the Perkins Act, and calling it a great privilege to be a U.S. Senator. Under the heading TRIBUTE TO LAMAR ALEXANDER, Mrs. BLACKBURN joins colleagues in paying tribute to Senator ALEXANDER, and remarks mention his work as chairman of HELP and on 21st Century Cures. Remarks under BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE say that before the end of the year the Senate has three major priorities, including funding the government and passing the annual Defense bill.
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“Congressional Record — Senate, December 2, 2020.”
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S7148 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 2, 2020
to help songwriters; working with Memphis students, ‘‘America is a work roads, the highways, the access that
MURRAY and JONES and TIM SCOTT on in progress. We’ve come a long way, were necessary were there to encourage
permanently funding Black colleges; and we have a long way to go.’’ this business.
with BLUNT and SHELBY on the shark Please remind your students that the As the former Secretary of Education
tank of the National Institutes of rest of the world wishes they had our under President George H. W. Bush, he
Health, creating new diagnostic tests, system of government and that the couldn’t not put his personal touch on
new ways; with BURR and DURBIN and U.S. Senate has been and I hope con- education policy, working tirelessly, as
MANCHIN and KING on the student loan tinues to be the single most important he said, to fix No Child Left Behind.
law I mentioned; with CASEY and ENZI institution that helps to unify our This earned him the first-ever James
on the Perkins Act; with Harry Reid country by creating broad agreements Madison Award.
and Bill Frist, when they were leaders, that most of us can vote for and that He has a reputation for, indeed, being
on the America COMPETES Act. the citizens of the United States will a go-to lawmaker, and as chairman of
None of this could have been done accept. HELP here in the Senate, he put a
without an exceptional staff. But in- Finally, please tell them that I wake spotlight on the issues that affect the
stead of thanking them in a rushed up every day thinking I might be able most sensitive aspects of Tennesseans’
way now, I am going to make a sepa- to do something good to help our coun- lives, again benefiting all Americans.
rate ‘‘salute to the staff’’ speech to- try and that I go to bed most nights I like the fact that he talked about
morrow. Maybe I will start a tradition. thinking that I have. Please tell them bipartisanship and productivity. Be-
My favorite time in the U.S. Senate that it is a great privilege to be a U.S. tween 2015 and 2019, during his term of
has been with the American history Senator. service at HELP, he has reported 45
teachers whom I invite to come to the I yield the floor. bills out of his committee that have be-
Senate floor before it opens while they The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- come law—45 bills. As he mentioned,
are attending the academies that were ator from Tennessee. one of those was 21st Century Cures. As
created by the legislation I introduced TRIBUTE TO LAMAR ALEXANDER a Member in the House and working on
in my maiden address 18 years ago. Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, it originating this bill, we had said: We
After that address, Ted Kennedy, is such an honor to be here and to join are going to make this bipartisan. And,
without my knowing it, went around my colleagues in paying tribute to Sen- indeed, we did, and we moved it from
and got 20 Democratic cosponsors. In ator ALEXANDER today. As you can see, the House to the Senate. And yes, in-
the House, ROGER WICKER and MARSHA there are many who want to speak and deed, there were some days we thought:
BLACKBURN helped pass the bill there, have a few words to say. This is never going to happen. But, in-
where they were then. Now, I think all of us wish that we deed, Senator ALEXANDER insisted, and,
The teachers who come to the floor could do this to a background of music yes, it did happen.
before we open invariably go to our with LAMAR playing the piano. That He mentioned the Music Moderniza-
desks. They try to find Daniel Web- would definitely be the proper setting. tion Act, and I will tell you, this is vi-
ster’s desk. They look for the Kennedy
But I am so pleased to stand and to tally important to Tennesseans. As we
brothers’ desk. They ask, ‘‘Where is
honor the three terms of service that worked this through the House and
Jefferson Davis’s desk?’’—Jefferson
he has had here in this body and the then it hit some bumps in the road,
Davis, who resigned the Senate to be-
way he has touched the lives not only Senator ALEXANDER and Senator Hatch
come President of the Confederacy—be-
of individuals in this body but millions did such a great job of pushing this for-
cause they have heard the story that
of Tennesseans. ward here in the Senate.
there is a chop mark on the desk that
We know that he has—and he has Then, last September, the Nashville
was imposed by a Union soldier when
talked about it in his remarks—worked Songwriters Association International
they captured Washington. The soldier
with educators; he has worked with awarded him the White Hat Award,
was chopping the desk until his com-
innovators; he has worked with the which is what they give to legislators
mander said: Stop that. We are here to
healthcare community; and he has who have made a significant impact on
save the Union, not to destroy it.
Invariably a teacher will ask: Sen- worked, yes, with entertainers, many the entertainment and music commu-
ator, what would you like for us to of whom hold him so dear and who call nity.
take back to our students about being Tennessee home. In fact, when I was Well, the highlight reel would be too
a U.S. Senator? serving in the House and representing long to cover in one speech. There are
My reply is always the same: Please Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, many who are waiting to express their
suggest to your students that they so many times I would look over here thanks.
look at Washington, DC, as if it were a and I would think ‘‘What is LAMAR not So, with that, I yield the floor.
split-screen television. On one side are working on today?’’ because he always The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr.
the confirmation hearings and the had such a broad portfolio of issues SASSE). The Senator from California is
tweets, and on the other side you have that were demanding his attention. recognized.
Democratic and Republican Senators And what we know is he accepted that Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I
working together to strengthen na- work to address that broad portfolio of rise today to honor Senator LAMAR
tional defense, National Laboratories, issues. ALEXANDER, a friend and a colleague
national parks, and the National Insti- His commitment for caring for the who has served in this body for some 18
tutes of Health. needs of all Tennesseans has really years now. I have had the pleasure of
Please remind them of what a re- manifested itself in what Tennesseans serving with this Senator on both the
markable country this is: the strongest like to see as a lifelong legacy that has Rules Committee and the Appropria-
military, the best universities, pro- really changed lives. As Governor, he tions Committee, and we sat next to
ducing 20 percent of all the money in worked to streamline our State’s gov- each other as chairman or ranking
the world for just 4 percent of the peo- ernment, was very successful in those member on two Appropriations sub-
ple. Tell them we are not perfect, but, efforts, and he brought that desire to committees—first Interior and then
as our Constitution says, we are always streamline government with him when Energy and Water. We have done that
working to form a more perfect union he came to the Senate. Indeed, this is since 2009. It has been through these
and that, as Samuel Huntington wrote, work that has benefited all Ten- experiences that I truly have come to
most of our arguments are about con- nesseans and all Americans. appreciate Senator ALEXANDER’s fair-
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flicts among principles with which As Governor of Tennessee, he was ness, his interest in solving problems,
most of us agree, and most of our poli- very successful in working to persuade and his bipartisanship.
tics is about disappointments in not Nissan automotive to come into our Most of all, I so appreciate your
being able to reach the noble goals we State. This started a new impact on friendship and the time we have had to
set for ourselves, such as all men are our State with the auto industry. talk together.
created equal. Then, as the auto industry needed sup- I do believe that the Senate is going
The late NAACP President Ben pliers, he turned his attention to infra- to be diminished by the absence of this
Hooks used to teach his University of structure to make certain that the Senator.
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December 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7149
Working closely as chair and ranking LAMAR, as you heard already today, 2011 is legendary, and thanks to
member of the Energy and Water De- is an extraordinary legislator. He has YouTube, it is also immortal.
velopment Subcommittee, we have al- the ability to bring people together LAMAR was a great friend, as he men-
ways been able to find agreement on even on very contentious issues and tioned today, of the writer Alex Haley,
the annual appropriations bill. That is hammer out a compromise. He is ex- the author of ‘‘Roots.’’ Mr. Haley’s per-
because we shared a willingness to find tremely effective because he is always sonal motto was ‘‘Find the good and
common ground. And that is no small well informed, focuses on the issue at praise it.’’ LAMAR quotes that often,
thing. We have consistently held com- hand, never gives up, and is willing to and he lives by it. Optimism and grati-
prehensive subcommittee hearings on a work across the aisle. He gets things tude, effectiveness and skill are his de-
wide range of issues, from nuclear done that matter not only to his con- fining characteristics. To LAMAR, ‘‘the
power and nuclear waste to dam safety, stituents and his beloved Tennessee good’’ isn’t simply what is pleasant; it
to devastating droughts in the West but also to citizens across this great is what is worthwhile, what makes us
and the future of renewable energy. country. better people, better citizens, a better
We were also often among the first, if He has been an extraordinary leader nation. If we follow the advice he gave
not the first subcommittee to nego- on important issues that many of us us today, we will be a better Senate.
tiate our bill, draft it, and get it care deeply about, such as biomedical Not long ago, I was interviewed by a
marked up by the full committee, and research, education, and combating the journalist for a retrospective on
that includes 4 years of record-level opioid crisis. He is that rare individual LAMAR’s service in the Senate. She said
funding for clean energy, the National who is far less interested in who gets that she happened to be in the Senate
Laboratories, supercomputing, and the credit than in getting the job done. Dining Room on December 17, 2018—the
water projects. The focus has always But, in fact, each of us who has had the day that LAMAR announced his inten-
been on a fair, open process that seeks privilege of working with LAMAR knows tion to retire—and that a room usually
compromise. And that track record that he is the one who deserves the alive with chatter was unusually quiet
speaks to the value we place on the credit. and tinged with sadness. That somber
process. I have served for years with LAMAR atmosphere was genuine and bipar-
But more than anything, Senator on the Health, Education, Labor, and tisan.
ALEXANDER will be remembered as Pensions Committee, which he chairs. LAMAR, I can’t tell you how much
someone who dedicated his life to serv- On one challenging issue after another, personally I will miss serving with you.
ing the people of Tennessee. Between when others would throw up their You are not only a great Senator and
his 8 years as Governor and 16 years as hands and say ‘‘This is impossible; it extraordinary legislator but a wonder-
a Senator, he served longer than any simply cannot be done,’’ LAMAR never ful friend. Thank you so much for your
Tennessean who has held both jobs. gives up the search for a solution and many years of public service. I feel
That doesn’t include the 2 years he for common ground. very honored to have served with you,
served as President George H.W. Bush’s LAMAR has been so prolific as a legis- to have learned from you, and I wish
Secretary of Education. lator that it is difficult to single out you and Honey all the best.
His priorities have always been of one accomplishment among so many, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The as-
great importance to Tennessee, wheth- but if forced to do so, I would say that sistant Democratic leader.
er Army Corps of Engineers funding for the 21st Century Cures Act is his signa- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, his
inland waters, particularly his favor- ture achievement. As the name im- name was the answer to a frequently
ite, Chickamauga—this is the first plies, this law is a lasting legacy for asked question. It is a question that
time I ever heard the word pro- him, and it is already providing lasting used to come up in almost every Demo-
nounced—Chickamauga Lock, which he benefits for our country. Whether it is cratic meeting when we talked about
often talks about in our hearings, or the BRAIN Initiative that will finally legislative ideas and we talked about
updating the way musicians are paid making progress on the floor of the
help us to make progress on diseases
for their work. Senate. And the question was this: Who
like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and
He also led efforts to pass the Every can we call on the other side of the
Student Succeeds Act in 2015, which other neurological illnesses, or the
Cancer Moonshot that was done in aisle? And the answer was almost al-
President Obama called a ‘‘Christmas
honor of Beau Biden, or the funding ways LAMAR ALEXANDER. We knew that
miracle.’’
As we hear promising news about that was included to look at the im- if we presented an idea to him, he
coronavirus vaccines, we are reminded pact of lifestyles on our health, all of would not only be receptive and re-
of the 21st Century Cures Act. That is the provisions of this landmark law spectful, we knew that if he came on
Senator ALEXANDER’s landmark 2016 will improve the health of the Amer- board, it would lend credibility to our
bill that streamlined the drug and de- ican people far into the future, and it effort, maybe even get a bill passed
vice approval process to bring treat- will be LAMAR ALEXANDER who de- around here. But it would always have
ments to market faster. He has a long serves the credit. to wear a red tartan badge with it be-
record of work he can be proud of. As a close second, I would cite the cause there was an idea that he wanted
LAMAR, you have been a great col- educational reforms he drafted to re- to bring to the party, but it was worth
league and a dear friend all these years place and improve No Child Left Be- it. It was worth it not only for the
in the Senate. I am proud of what we hind to give more autonomy back to progress that you can make in terms of
have achieved together. I will miss our the States and local school districts. legislation, but it was worth it because
dinners together and sitting next to That law—Every Student Succeeds it was part of developing a friendship.
you on the dais. I hope you enjoy a Act—was a momentous bipartisan Harry Truman used to recommend fa-
well-earned retirement with Honey and achievement, and LAMAR has already mously, ‘‘If you want a friend in Wash-
your beautiful family. Thank you so explained what it took to get the job ington, get a dog.’’ I thought of that. I
much for your service. done. It is not surprising that in 2016, told you about it a few months ago
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the Nation’s Governors named LAMAR when you were on one of those Sunday
ator from Maine. the first recipient of the James Madi- morning talk shows. You were broad-
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I first son Award to recognize Members of casting, I think, from your living room
met LAMAR ALEXANDER when he was a Congress who support Federalism. As or family room at your home in Ten-
candidate for President 25 years ago. we have heard today, the Wall Street nessee, and I couldn’t get over that
rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with SENATE
He was campaigning in the State of Journal called ESSA the ‘‘largest devo- stuffed animal that was on the coffee
Maine, and after giving an articulate lution of federal control to the states table behind you. It just seemed like it
speech outlining his priorities and his in a quarter-century.’’ was such an odd little piece of maybe
policies, he proceeded to charm every- In addition to being a skillful legis- personal pride to have that stuffed ani-
one by playing the piano. Little did I lator, LAMAR is also a wonderfully tal- mal with you. It turned out it wasn’t
know then that we would one day serve ented musician, as both a pianist and a stuffed at all. It was Rufus, your dog,
as colleagues and friends in the U.S. singer. His hilarious performance at who slept through your entire perform-
Senate. the annual Alfalfa Club dinner back in ance, wasn’t a bit moved by the fact
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S7150 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 2, 2020
that you were on some Sunday morn- our colleagues Senator BLACKBURN and young Senator who regarded him as
ing talk show. Senator COLLINS and Senator FEIN- something of a mentor and a role
I want to thank you for many things, STEIN—the list goes on and on—but model.
and I will mention a few of them in that increase by 38 percent of the Na- I share a couple of things with
terms of legislation, but I especially tional Institutes of Health was some- LAMAR; one is the fact that we were
want to thank you for—I brought a thing our little quartet did together, both Senate staffers long before we
group of friends of mine down to Nash- and I am particularly proud to be part came to the Senate as elected officials.
ville, TN, and you made a recommenda- of it. We weren’t here at the same time. He
tion list of places to stop, including the It wasn’t, by far, the only thing that was a little ahead of me. I came to the
Bluebird, and then came by and joined you have done. You championed an in- Senate the year Howard Baker left,
us for lunch. You couldn’t have been crease in the Department of Energy’s but, like LAMAR, I have great apprecia-
more gracious, and I thank you for Office of Science as chair of the Energy tion for the contributions staffers
that. and Water Appropriations Committee, make to the work that we do around
That is a trademark of LAMAR ALEX- which Senator FEINSTEIN noted. Under here. I know many of LAMAR’s staffers
ANDER’s life and service to this coun- your leadership with her, that office are in the Gallery today. As he leaves,
try. budget has increased by 38 percent also we lose a tremendous amount of
I could talk about many things, but I since 2015. brain power and talent that has con-
want to reflect on one that I think is You worked with the National Labs, tributed so significantly to the suc-
timely and significant and is a reason a like Oak Ridge, Argonne, Fermilab. cesses and accomplishments that he
lot of us are wearing these masks. We Those are near and dear to me as well. has had as a U.S. Senator.
are facing a pandemic with the COVID– And your support for research infra- The other is that he and I both have
19 virus. It has claimed 273,000 Amer- structure provided essential help to served as chairman of the Senate Re-
ican lives, and I am afraid many more this Lab and Labs across America. publican conference, which is the mes-
will follow. Millions—almost 13 million I want to just close by saying this. saging and communications office for
or more—have been infected by it. We Most of us were moved by your speech. Republicans in the Senate. I succeeded
want it to end, and we want it to end I am sure it was a perfect illustration LAMAR as chairman of the Senate Re-
as quickly as possible. of your view of this Chamber and the publican conference in 2012. I will tell
The really shining ray of hope here is good memories you have and a chal- you, he is a very tough act to follow
the possibility that a vaccine will be lenge to all of us to do better. I think but an inspiring one because he did
available soon. I pray it will be. I like the honest answer is it is not the rules such a tremendous job in leading our
to think that some of the things that of the Senate that make the difference; messaging in the conference.
we did together, with others, created LAMAR has an ability to break down
it is the Senators who make a dif-
an opportunity for that vaccine to be complex subjects and communicate
ference. If we come to the chore of leg-
discovered. them clearly. He can sum up an issue
islating with the inspiration of LAMAR
It was 5 or 6 years ago that I ap- in one succinct phrase. He mentioned
ALEXANDER, we are going to get a lot
proached you and I approached Senator earlier, in his remarks, the idea that
done for America.
PATTY MURRAY and ROY BLUNT with there ought to be one column, one idea;
Thank you for your great service to
the idea that we ought to make a con- one speech, one idea. He really did mas-
our country.
certed, consistent effort to increase the ter that.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Re-
I can recall his summary when we
NIH’s budget by at least 5 percent per publican whip.
were talking a lot about the energy
year. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, the Sen-
issue: We need to ‘‘find more and use
Senator BLUNT, whom I see on the ate is going to miss LAMAR ALEXANDER.
less.’’ That is about as clear a sum-
floor here today, I want to thank you. Listening to his farewell address
mary of our energy priorities as you
You took that cause to heart, along right now made the fact that he is
can get.
with Senator ALEXANDER. leaving all too real. I don’t like to Many of us used a phrase he popular-
We had the right appropriator and think of a U.S. Senate without LAMAR. ized around here, too, in describing
the right authorizer, and PATTY MUR- He is a Senate institution and a Senate policies of the other side that we
RAY served in both capacities so effec- leader, and his leaving is a loss for this thought would be harmful to the econ-
tively. body and for the American people. omy as casting a big wet blanket over
We dramatically increased the NIH Any tribute to LAMAR has to mention the economy. I don’t know how many
budget over the last 7, 8 years. I am his incredible career, which a lot has times you heard that coming out of our
hopeful, and I would like to think that been alluded to already: his walk mouths, but it all originated with
some of those researchers and the work across the State of Tennessee, his 8 LAMAR ALEXANDER.
that they did was laying the ground- years as Tennessee Governor, his time I think that ability to really break
work for the discovery of these vac- as Secretary of Education under Presi- down complex issues and clearly ex-
cines quickly in the United States and dent George H.W. Bush, his stint as plain them is one of the reasons he was
around the world. That is a legacy you president of the University of Ten- such a good conference chairman and
won’t soon forget. nessee system, and his time as a pro- one of the reasons he has been so suc-
Do you remember when we first got fessor at Harvard. cessful legislatively.
wind of this COVID–19 and I walked Then, of course, are his 18 years in And he has been successful legisla-
across the Chamber here and I said to the U.S. Senate, marked by significant tively. You already heard a number of
you: I am worried about this protective legislative accomplishments on every- my colleagues talk about his many
equipment issue and how much we are thing from education to opioids. successes. Yet he has managed to get
reliant on going overseas for sourcing; All that, and he makes a plaid shirt things passed around here that I don’t
would you join me at least in an effort look good, although these days he has think anyone thought could get passed,
to find out whether we are dependent switched to a plaid face mask. particularly in the polarized political
on foreign sources at a time when we I first met LAMAR, like our colleague environment that we have been in.
might desperately need this protective from Maine, Senator COLLINS, men- But LAMAR has an ability to bring
equipment for our own? tioned, when he attended a Lincoln people together from across the aisle.
You said, sure, and we did it together Day Dinner in South Dakota in 1995, You heard our colleagues on both sides
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and the investigation is underway. It when he was running for President. I speak to that. He is very practical
may not serve us in this particular cri- really started to get to know him a lit- about the business of legislating. He fo-
sis, but it will serve in many genera- tle bit when I came to the Senate in cuses on what is actually possible to do
tions to come to make sure we have re- 2005. and he finds the common ground and
liable domestic sources in the United LAMAR had already been here for a he gets things done.
States. couple of years by that time. Of course, You have heard of the America COM-
I am not going to catalog all of the he already had an extraordinary career PETES Act, the Every Student Suc-
items that were mentioned earlier by behind him. I know I was not the only ceeds Act, the 21st Centuries Cures
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December 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7151
Act, the Opioids Crisis Response Act, we do here, had a solution to that. hope we will. I can’t think of a greater
the Copyright Act, the Great American Their solution was—whether it was the legacy for LAMAR to leave than that of
Outdoors Act. I could go on and on. Greek or Roman philosophers—their a Senate that actually works. That is
Those, ladies and gentlemen, are solution was: Do your best. Show up what the country deserves, and that is
major, major pieces of legislation, tre- and make a contribution. Do your best. the inspiration that LAMAR ALEXANDER
mendous accomplishments of the Con- Don’t worry about how people are has set for me.
gress by the U.S. Senate, signed into going to remember you. Don’t worry I thank the Presiding Officer.
law by the President, all of which about your own mortality. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
couldn’t have happened without the So few of us follow that advice. I ator from Texas.
leadership of LAMAR ALEXANDER. think LAMAR ALEXANDER embodies Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, we all
He has held multiple leadership posi- that. As President of the University of know that LAMAR ALEXANDER is a per-
tions in the Senate: chairman of the Tennessee, as Governor, as the Sec- son of tremendous character and judg-
Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- retary of Education, as a Senator, in ment, and it is not just because he
sions Committee and, as I said, Senate every one of those jobs, it has always asked that young woman in the red
Republican conference chairman, but been about doing his best. shorts that he met at that softball
he has always been a leader, whether or In a Chamber filled with people who game so many years ago to marry him,
not in an official leadership position or think they have a monopoly on wis- who happens to be from Victoria, TX,
simply by virtue of who he is. dom, LAMAR has never stopped learn- which demonstrates his enormous good
As I said before, LAMAR has been a ing. He has always been curious. Up to judgment. Certainly, we wish him and
mentor and role model to me and I this day—I will bet today, he probably Honey the best in this next chapter of
know to many others here in the Sen- got up and asked somebody on his staff their lives.
or one of his colleagues to tell him When I think about LAMAR ALEX-
ate.
ANDER, I think about all of the Lamar-
But I also have to mention his per- about something he wants to learn
sonal warmth and hospitality to me more about so he can be more effective isms, and we have heard some of them
here today: ‘‘Find the good and praise
and my wife when our daughter was and make a greater difference so he can
it’’—quotes his friend Alex Haley,
studying at Belmont University in do his best.
The Senate is going to be diminished which I think kind of speaks to the op-
Nashville, TN. He and his wife Honey
by LAMAR’s absence. It is hard to be- timistic, positive view of life that we
opened their home to us in Nashville.
lieve we can be any more diminished could use more of. Then I remember
They hosted us. I am fortunate to be
than we are, but we are going to be di- other words. He said: If you want to get
among those he mentioned were at
a standing ovation before any group of
their place in the Smokies, which was minished by LAMAR leaving.
Susan and I were lucky enough to be individuals, you need to say, ‘‘It is
a fabulous experience. They took us to
invited to his home, spend a weekend time to put the teaching of American
a Tennessee Titans game. They went
there. I am going to say something now history and civics back into its rightful
above and beyond. And to this day, we place in our schools so our children can
are grateful for their warmth and gen- I never said to LAMAR ALEXANDER. He
gave us the great privilege of standing grow up learning what it means to be
erosity and for a chance to see LAMAR an American.’’ He has talked about
in his element in his beloved Ten- in the family cemetery in Eastern Ten-
Alex Haley, his friend, who told him
nessee. nessee, in his beloved Smoky Moun-
how to give a speech by telling a story.
LAMAR has dedicated much of his life tains, where he will forever keep the Aristotle also had an idea about how
to his State, his country, and nobody windmills out. As I stood there a little to give a great speech. He basically
could be more deserving of retirement. awkwardly in the cemetery—because broke it down to three components.
I will be surprised if he ever fully re- that is not usually part of a tour—all I One is the logical argument, another is
tires. I am pretty sure, even while sit- could think about was how lucky the emotional argument, but then an-
ting on his porch, he is still going to be LAMAR and Honey were to know that other is about establishing your au-
dreaming up ways to make our country would be the place where they would be thority. It is about the character of the
better. and that long after they were remem- speaker. When I think about LAMAR, as
LAMAR, thank you for your leader- bered by anybody, they would know he has demonstrated again here today,
ship and for your mentorship. Thank that they had done their best; that the thing I appreciate about him the
you for being a role model to so many they had always done their best. most is not just what he has accom-
of us. May God bless you in your retire- What I would say to my colleagues plished here but his incredible char-
ment. I will miss you. today is, we have an opportunity to fol- acter and positive impact on our Sen-
I yield the floor. low LAMAR’s example and take him up ate and on our country. It has been be-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- on what he said. We are not memori- cause people know that his heart is in
ator from Colorado. alizing LAMAR today. He is going to the right place. It is his doing it for all
Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I was have a lot more years left to contribute the right reasons that we admire him
not planning on speaking today, but I to his State, his community, and to the so much.
was so inspired by what Senator ALEX- country, but he won’t be in the Senate, I would just point out, as I told
ANDER had to say about his career and and we are in the Senate. LAMAR previously, that I admired
about the Senate that I wanted to We could work in the Senate that LAMAR ALEXANDER long before I met
share a word or two of reflection on works 5 days a week or even 6 days a him—when I voted for him in the 1996
what he said. week. Sign me up for that Senate. We Republican primary for President. Un-
Anybody who has spent any time could work in a Senate that has 25 fortunately, he dropped out of that
around Washington, DC, or even amendments in a bill instead of 25 race shortly thereafter, so I told him I
around this Capitol knows there are amendments in a year, as we did last wasted my vote, but I have been an ad-
statues built all over this town of peo- year, because there is no other body in mirer for a long time.
ple nobody remembers. When I go by America or in this democracy, as (Laughter.)
one of those statues in Washington— LAMAR said, that is set up to decide the LAMAR and I also share something
whether it is in a circle somewhere in hardest questions that our country is else in common. It is about his prede-
a traffic stop or in the hallway in the facing and to make those decisions cessor as well as mine. He is a person
Capitol—I think about the importance stick. That is what LAMAR ALEXANDER by the name of Sam Houston. I occupy
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of dying at the right time. You want to said to us today. the Senate seat first held by Sam
die at a moment when statues are in He has left us with a challenge, and I Houston when Texas became a State.
vogue if you are going to have a statue. hope we will take him up on it because Of course, he originally came from
But there is no—none of these people there is no excuse for the way this Tennessee. He had happened to be a
are ever going to be remembered in the place has worked, and the American Governor of Tennessee before he had
long view of history. The stoic philoso- people are tired of hearing that it has left and gone to Texas. Later, he be-
phers on whom we base so much, or at been the other side’s fault. There are came the Governor of Texas and basi-
least attempt to base so much of what 100 people who can fix this place, and I cally stepped down because he was a
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S7152 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 2, 2020
Union man, recruited by Andrew Jack- ing side by side with LAMAR on legisla- appreciated, when I told him we should
son. He loved the Union. He did not tion, you are bound to get things done write a bill together rather than to
agree with secession, but, of course, he because he has cracked the code. He amend the Republican bill that he had
went to Texas and became a victorious knows how to do it. begun working on. With our HELP
general of the decisive Battle of San I have been proud to work with Committee members, we were able to
Jacinto. He became the President of LAMAR on legislation to address the write and pass a new K–12 public edu-
the Republic of Texas for the same rea- opioid epidemic, to support our service- cation bill that fixed the most broken
son. The reason the Texas flag and the members and veterans, to protect parts of No Child Left Behind. It in-
American flag fly at the same height is health coverage, and to ensure that cluded Federal guardrails so we could
that we were an independent nation be- folks across the country have the op- understand how all of our students per-
fore we became part of the United portunity to take advantage of the form. It dedicated resources to improv-
States. I have heard it said that you American dream. His presence has been ing the schools that needed it the
could never write a novel based on the constant throughout our time. We most. It also allowed for historic steps
life of Sam Houston because nobody came to the Senate at the same time, forward on early education.
would believe it. I have read plenty and, of course, his retirement makes We laid the groundwork together for
about him, and I still find that to be that all bittersweet. new investments in lifesaving bio-
true. So I thank our colleague from Ten- medical innovation and research
Yet, as I indicated, as proud as Tex- nessee for his friendship over many through the 21st Century Cures Act, in-
ans are of Sam Houston’s contribution years and, as we have heard from Sen- cluding the Beau Biden Cancer Moon-
to our history and our State, we know ator THUNE and others, for the example shot.
we can’t claim him entirely because he he has shown to the rest of us as to We worked together to pass land-
grew up in Maryville, TN—the same how to be an effective Member of the mark legislation to boost our response
town that LAMAR ALEXANDER did—and U.S. Senate. I also thank him for his to the opioid epidemic, to strengthen
went on to become Governor, as I men- decades of service to the country. I our public health preparedness pro-
tioned a moment ago. don’t expect LAMAR to follow in the grams, and to permanently fund his-
Sam Houston’s portrait hangs above footsteps of Sam Houston and run for torically Black colleges and univer-
my desk in the Hart Office Building be- Governor of Texas, but I know he has sities and minority-serving institu-
cause it helps to remind me of my re- many more contributions to make to tions. We not only passed each of these
sponsibilities and of the incredible his- our great country, and I wish him and bills, but we did so time and again with
tory and contribution that he made Honey all the best during this next huge majorities from this Senate. Now,
and that, hopefully, each of us can chapter of their lives. I am sure he is even still, Chairman ALEXANDER and I,
make. looking forward to spending a little along with our colleagues in the House,
While you find Sam Houston’s pic- more time in their beloved Smoky are working to get legislation across
ture above my desk, you will find his Mountains. the finish line to finally ban surprise
walking stick in LAMAR ALEXANDER’s The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- medical bills.
office, which is just down the hall. The What I have just laid out is by no
ator from Washington.
many Tennesseans who have visited Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I have means a full list at all of Senator
learned in my time in the Senate that ALEXANDER’s accomplishments as
LAMAR during his time in the Chamber
if you want to get something done chairman. It doesn’t even include quite
have seen the words ‘‘Sam Houston,’’
across the aisle, you really need the a few things he is still trying to get
‘‘Texas,’’ and ‘‘Lone Star’’ engraved on
done as we speak. Senator ALEX-
its gold cap, and according to LAMAR, following: You need someone on the
ANDER’s focus on working together has
several Texans have tried to run off other side who is just as committed to
helped countless families in his home
with it. Fortunately, they haven’t been working together as you are, and that
State of Tennessee, in my home State
successful. Member needs to have the trust of
of Washington, and nationwide.
The truth is, you can’t get through a Members on your side of the aisle and My Democratic colleagues and I
Texas history class—or at least you on his own, and you both need to be thank Chairman ALEXANDER for the
shouldn’t—without hearing about the willing to set aside egos and listen and tone and manner with which he has led
pivotal role of the Volunteer State get a realistic understanding of wheth- the HELP Committee over the past 6
within the history of my State. I al- er the person on the other side of the years—some of them, admittedly,
ways kid LAMAR. I say: The Ten- negotiating table can reach an agree- rockier than others but, throughout,
nesseans who went to Texas who fought ment with you that upholds your prin- guided by his steady leadership and
at the Alamo and in the Battle of San ciples without compromising his own. commitment to working together.
Jacinto were just one step ahead of a Now, what I have laid out might not For myself, as someone who shares
creditor or of an aggrieved spouse. This sound that unusual or rare, but it is ac- the drive to not only fight for what you
was a rough-and-tumble group that tually pretty tough to find these days. believe in but also to look for common
came from Tennessee to found Texas. I have been very lucky that the Sen- ground, I thank my colleague from
There are other Tennesseans, people ator whom we honor today on the Tennessee for the many opportunities
like Davy Crockett and others, who floor—my colleague and friend, Chair- to dig in and get to work that he has
went to Texas and created our State. man LAMAR ALEXANDER, of Tennessee— provided, for being willing to hear me
The State of Texas has many reasons is someone who has managed it time and my colleagues out again and again
to be grateful to the contributions of and again. when necessary, and for looking so
the sons and daughters of Tennessee, I don’t think anyone, least of all Sen- often for common ground, for another
and one of those great sons is LAMAR. ator ALEXANDER himself, would be sur- problem we could solve, and for being
He has dedicated his life to public serv- prised to hear me say that we are as willing not just to keep talking but to
ice. As we know, it has led him through likely to disagree as to agree on many keep listening as well.
an incredible number of important of- matters. I bring my Washington State Finally, I know none of this would
fices. values to the table, and he brings his have been possible without the support
Yet I think, to me, the thing that has Tennessee values, so you can imagine and strength Senator ALEXANDER has
even more led to his legislative accom- how that has gone from time to time. received from Honey, his wife, and I ac-
plishments and that has made LAMAR Yet, despite our different perspectives knowledge and thank her for her con-
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so effective is that we know we can and our different approaches we take tribution as well.
trust him. We know his character. We to policymaking, we have also been Lamar, you will be thrilled to be
know that when he says something, it able to see where our values and the in- back full time in the State you love so
is true, and we have seen it time and terests of our States and our country much—I know that—but I and mem-
again, when LAMAR has used that char- converge. bers of the HELP Committee want you
acter and that trust to pass historic We both understood that the broken to know we are going to miss you ter-
legislation in this Chamber. As we have No Child Left Behind law needed to be ribly here in the Senate. Thank you so
all come to know, when you are work- fixed. LAMAR listened to me, which I so much for all you have done.
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December 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7153
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- another attribute of this great Senator and it was very easy to come together
ator from Mississippi. to whom we say farewell today. and say that we had to get Savannah
Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I ask I think the remarks we heard from River, we had to get Oak Ridge, we had
unanimous consent that Senators Senator ALEXANDER will be taught at to get Colorado, we had to get Idaho,
CANTWELL, BLUNT, ROMNEY, SCHUMER, civics classes and college-level govern- and we had to get Hanford. But as
and I be able to complete our remarks ment classes for decades and decades to those projects made progress, a lot of
before the next vote. come. It was so profound, and it is a people forgot about what it took to
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there real honor that a piece of legislation clean up Hanford. So I appreciate your
objection? that he and I worked on together will constant focus on helping us to get the
Without objection, it is so ordered. always be a part of what I consider to dollars necessary for cleanup at Han-
Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I don’t be those immortal remarks. ford.
want to prolong this discussion except So I thank you very much. I also appreciate, recently, your help
to make one additional point about the I yield the floor. on making sure that people didn’t
unselfishness and humility of this hero The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- overstep on the National Nuclear Secu-
of the Senate, whose remarks we will ator from Washington. rity Administration and turn that over
long remember today. Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I to a Defense oversight of people but
There is a framed piece of legislation come to the floor, too, to thank the kept it within the Department of En-
that hangs on the wall in my con- Senator from Tennessee for his service ergy. I so appreciate that.
ference room in the Dirksen Building. to our Nation and for his work here in But I will be forever grateful for your
It is, in fact, a piece of legislation that the U.S. Senate. focus on public lands. We have a saying
Senator ALEXANDER chose to mention Some of my colleagues have already in my State: Environmentalists make
as one of his signature accomplish- mentioned the brevity of words with great ancestors. So I don’t know if you
ments, and that is the American His- which Senator ALEXANDER can deliver want that environmentalist term asso-
tory and Civics Education Act, which a message. I, too, remember his com- ciated with your name, but I am pretty
was signed into law by President ments as a Rules Committee member, sure you do want the stewardship.
George W. Bush. There is a story about on the inaugural address, and really
And the man from the Great Smoky
how I came to have that piece of legis- capturing the moment of why a transi-
Mountains helped us deliver a monu-
lation, which Senator ALEXANDER tion of power is so important to our
mental piece of legislation by con-
worked so hard on, on the wall in my Nation. And it struck me that we real-
vincing the President of the United
conference room. ly had a poet or a writer among us,
States to support the budgetary impact
I live in North Mississippi, and, as someone who could sense and feel the
of combining both the national parks
such, I listen to Memphis television a moment of what we were going through
enhancement program, which is basi-
lot. During LAMAR ALEXANDER’s first and express it in words. So I have no
cally taking care of the national parks
race for Senator, on came a commer- doubt that some writing is in LAMAR’s
backlog, which was in the billions of
cial, and, basically, it said just what future here, and I look forward to see-
dollars, and also fully funding the Land
our friend from Texas just quoted— ing that.
and Water Conservation Fund, a battle
that this candidate for Senator, former But I wanted to rise today to thank
that had been going on for more than a
Governor LAMAR ALEXANDER, wanted him for his service and what it has
decade.
to pass an American civics education meant to my State and to our Nation.
My colleague from Washington talked So I want to thank you for that,
bill to teach our children what it
about their work together on the LAMAR. I want to thank you on behalf
means to be an American. I stopped at
Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- of the Washingtonians who will go to
that moment, and I pointed to that tel-
sions Committee. I, too, want to thank so many special places, who will get to
evision screen, and I said: If that man
you for the CARES Act, and I remem- visit and commune with their families,
gets elected, I want to be part of that
ber your recognition on FOX News who will be able to have outdoor expe-
bill because that is exactly what we
about stem cell research and the great riences, who will be able to really un-
need.
So Senator ALEXANDER introduced work that that has led to. derstand the grandeur of Mother Earth.
the bill here in the Senate. I intro- So we are appreciative of those re- So thank you for pulling off what
duced it in the House of Representa- search dollars, but I want to focus on a seemed to be like an impossible effort
tives. We made public appearances to- role that maybe has not gotten as to convince people to make that level
gether, one in Memphis, TN, that I will much attention—the historic role you of investment.
always remember. Eventually, the bill have played on our energy budget and We are going to miss the harmony of
gained a lot of support over here, and our National Laboratory budget. your voice and the harmony of your
Senator KENNEDY, as has been men- I so appreciate the background of legislative skills, but we are not going
tioned, was someone at the forefront of your State and the background of focus to say permanently good-bye to you be-
that effort. on energy funding, from the National cause we hope that you will be sending
We were able to pass it in the House. Laboratory perspective, which has had us messages just like the one you sent
It went to conference to iron out the to have a constant flow and constantly today and reminding us that we can do
details, and a decision had to be made it has been challenged. Yet it has put better.
as to which one would actually be en- every step forward because of the level So thank you, LAMAR, for your con-
acted by both Houses and go to the of investment in helping us make our tribution, in a lot of your life, to these
President for his signature. Nation more secure, create more inno- very important issues that affect so
LAMAR ALEXANDER allowed the piece vation, and create more jobs. So thank many of us. Thank you.
of legislation introduced by a rel- you for holding steadfast on the Na- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen-
atively junior Member of the House tional Laboratory budget. ator from Utah.
named ROGER WICKER to be that piece I also want to thank you for your Mr. ROMNEY. Mr. President, I first
of legislation that went on to the work on the Manhattan Project Na- met LAMAR ALEXANDER in 1995, when
White House, to the Oval Office, to be tional Historical Park, which we he spoke at Boston’s Lincoln Day Din-
signed by the President of the United worked together on, which, both, com- ner. Like today, he was folksy, good
States. memorated the history of our Nation humored, thoughtful, and impressive.
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So that is how that piece of legisla- and our Manhattan Project at, both, I remarked to Ann that he was surely
tion hangs on my wall as a bill au- Oak Ridge and at Richland, WA, and going to go places. Of course, he had al-
thored by Representative ROGER Hanford, and to just thank you for the ready gone places by then, but he ran
WICKER but passed very much with the constant focus on the cleanup budget for President the next year. One thing
efforts of Senator ALEXANDER also. that we have had to have in the Energy LAMAR and I agree on is that the best
I just wanted to mention that, not to Department, as it related to Hanford. candidate for President does not al-
prolong this discussion but to mention There was a time when we had many ways win. I think he may well have
that act of selflessness and humility as cleanup projects around the Nation, been just that.
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S7154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 2, 2020
You all know that he served as presi- pears that nobody can get along and were talking to someone at the White
dent of a university, Governor, Sen- get anything done—and, particularly in House, and the comment from his part
ator, and Secretary of Education. I the Senate, you have this relatively of the conversation was knowing how
have watched firsthand as he has led small community of people, all of many other conversations we had had
the Senate’s Committee on Health and whom got here by figuring out, nor- that day.
Education. I don’t know any person mally, how to get along with other peo- If people had any idea how much the
who has worked longer, harder, and ple, as one of their attributes of get- Senate and the two of you—he was say-
more effectively for the well-being of ting to the Senate. And then you have ing at that moment—are committed to
America’s children than LAMAR ALEX- rules in the Senate that require you to get things done, they would be sur-
ANDER. get along to get anything done. So you prised because that is a story that
His service extends, of course, beyond have that other screen that doesn’t get never gets told.
the children. As we have endured the nearly the attention. But when you do So much of the story of LAMAR—his
COVID–19 pandemic, he has led the look at the accomplishments, even at a work here and the good spirit he brings
Senate as we have helped to guide and time of great frustration, those accom- to that work—isn’t told, but it is so
fund our national response. His plishments have been significant, and very obvious, certainly for me.
healthcare expertise and his deter- so many of them have included LAMAR. One of the great gifts of my working
mination to keep each of us informed I knew LAMAR before I came to the life has been for LAMAR ALEXANDER to
and involved has been invaluable. Senate, but, particularly, the last 10 be such an important part of it for the
While America’s response to the pan- years of working with LAMAR in the last 10 years. I am grateful for it; I am
demic may not have been exemplary, Senate have been great for me, and the grateful for him. I look forward to his
LAMAR ALEXANDER’s leadership of the time that Abby and I have been able to continued friendship and advice.
Senate’s role has been superb. The spend with him and Honey have been I think Senator ALEXANDER, like
speed at which we will have a vaccine great. many of us, is more of a next-chapter
is, in no small measure, a testament to He says things in passing that really guy than a last-chapter guy. He is nei-
his determination and vision. define the opportunity to be here in ther shy nor retiring. I expect him to
But LAMAR is much more than a Sen- such a significant way. We have heard continue to have great impact in his
ator. I have seen the devotion he has many of them today. There are others State and in our country. And, in my
for his wife and family. I have watched I think of often—one LAMAR told me case, I hope he continues to have great
him entertain rooms full of celebrating not too long ago, when I was talking impact in my life.
Republicans with his piano and sing- about how well our staffs work to- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms.
ing. And I have experienced very per- gether. He said: Well, it always seemed ERNST). The Democratic leader.
sonally the kindness and graciousness to me that when the Senators obvi- Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President,
that have long characterized this man. ously got along, the staff figures that first, I spoke earlier about Senator
He was the first Senator to come to out and they understand they are sup- ALEXANDER, but I would like to com-
meet me when I joined this body. posed to get along too. pliment my colleagues on both sides of
His impact on the Senate, on the LAMAR is blessed with a great staff. the aisle. This is a fine and rare mo-
State of Tennessee, and on the Nation It will be interesting to see the new ment of bipartisanship and support of
extends well beyond his legislative ac- standard of having that other speech somebody we all admire and respect.
complishments and leadership. His that so significantly talks about the NOMINATION OF ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS
greatest impact has been that of his staff and what the staff means. I have
Madam President, now back to reg-
personal character. He is a man with- a great staff—many of us do—but when
ular Senate business—I would like to
out guile. He is true to his conscience. those staffs work together, as opposed
conclude my remarks from earlier this
He speaks and acts with truth and hon- to looking for reasons they shouldn’t
morning on Senate business, but first I
esty. He cares about people and endeav- work together, things happen.
want to mention that I just met with
ors to help others. He is a genuine I remember LAMAR told me one day:
another of President-Elect Biden’s ex-
friend, as is evidenced by the many They always remember the last thing
ceptionally qualified slate of Cabinet
members of his team wearing plaid you do.
And if that turns out to be the case, nominees over video conference, and
masks around this room.
He has used his talent and energy not at least the last Senate year of Senator that was Alejandro Mayorkas for the
to aggrandize himself but to serve. It ALEXANDER has been extraordinary, as Department of Homeland Security.
could be said of LAMAR ALEXANDER others have been. No one exemplifies the hope and
that he is a great American of exem- But this year I had a chance, as the promise of America better than Ali, an
plary character. We are a better people appropriating chairman of the com- immigrant from Cuba who has risen to
because of LAMAR ALEXANDER. mittee that LAMAR is the authorizing the highest echelons of public service
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- chairman for—and, by the way, he also in his adopted country. We had an ex-
ator from Missouri. sits right beside me on the Appropria- cellent conversation about how to re-
Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I think tions Committee in most of our hear- store integrity and trust at DHS and
Mark Twain said, among many other ings when Senator SHELBY isn’t able to how to make this into a department
things, that there is nothing more be there, the chairman of our full com- that is not just anti-immigrant but rel-
troubling than a great example. And, mittee. But in this last year, particu- ishes the fact that immigrants are so
as we have had all of these speeches larly from March on, we have done so important to the future of America.
today, I felt less and less adequate as many things together. Now I will note that in previous ad-
the speakers talked about the great In March, April, May, June, there ministrations, the Secretary of Home-
things that LAMAR has done, the great was almost never a day when we didn’t land Security has been confirmed by
things he stands for, the incredible have at least one call with somebody the Senate on Inauguration Day for
character that defines his life and his who is running a laboratory or some- President Obama and for President
work. It has been wonderful to be here one at the FDA or someone who under- Trump. The Senate should continue
and to see the appreciation that Sen- stood this investment arm we had, the tradition and quickly confirm Ali
ators have for somebody who is proud BARDA, that had been designed about Mayorkas for the third time so that he
to be a Senator. 10 years earlier but never used as we can get to work on day one of the
Biden administration.
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Not that often do you get to start a have used it to bring the private sector
last speech in the Senate referring to and public sector together in partner- BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE
somebody else’s maiden speech over al- ship in a way that advances both tests Madam President, now, on Senate
most 50 years ago. But that kind of and vaccines. business, before the end of the year,
sense of the Senate, that sense of com- We would spend sometimes hours a the Senate has three major priorities:
munity, that split screen that LAMAR day in a series of 30-minute phone Fund the government; pass the annual
talked about with educators, where calls, trying to put the pieces of this Defense bill; and deliver another round
you do have the one screen where it ap- puzzle together. I remember one day we of significant COVID relief.
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