Congressional Record — Senate, S7498 (December 15, 2020)
Summary
Page S7498 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for December 15, 2020, in interleaved columns. A letter from the Department says it decided not to appeal a district court decision on a federal prohibition of FGM committed on minors and urges Congress to amend section 116(a) to address the constitutional issue. Senators pay tribute to a fighter squadron that performed under combat pressure during a pandemic and to a departing staffer, with Maine's Senator crediting him for work on the Paycheck Protection Program, which she says helped sustain more than 50 million American jobs. Another statement describes a new food bank warehouse in North Dakota.
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“Congressional Record — Senate, S7498 (December 15, 2020).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-15-crec-2020-12-15-pt1-pgs7498-2-cd7ded4cd5/
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S7498 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 15, 2020
Although the Department has determined Unit performed exceptionally under in- regulation to work when he helped me
not to appeal the district court’s decision, it tense combat pressures executing a to draft the Lower Premiums Through
recognizes the severity of the charged con- new, highly mobile deployment con- Reinsurance Act.
duct, its lifelong impact on victims, and the Mark’s most significant professional
struct during a pandemic. The Thun-
importance of a federal prohibition on FGM
derbolts represent the best America accomplishment may very well be the
committed on minors. Accordingly, the De-
partment urges Congress to amend Section has to offer. They ride hard, shoot Paycheck Protection Program that he
116(a) to address the constitutional issue straight, and always speak the truth. I helped me craft earlier this year. Dur-
that formed the basis of the district court’s join all grateful Americans in con- ing the devastating COVID–19 pan-
opinion in this case. Specifically, concur- gratulating this outstanding team on a demic, this program has helped to sus-
rently with submitting this letter, the De- job well done. Banzai. tain more than 50 million American
partment is submitting to Congress a legisla-
f
jobs, including more than 250,000 jobs
tive proposal that would amend Section in the State of Maine, and I so appre-
116(a) to provide that FGM is a federal crime TRIBUTE TO MARK LEDUC ciate the great knowledge and untiring
when (1) the defendant or victim travels in energy he put into this crucial project.
or uses a channel or instrumentality of
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise
to honor a member of my staff, Mark It was important, and it helped real
interstate or foreign commerce in further-
ance of the FGM; (2) the defendant uses a LeDuc, who will soon retire after dec- people—the small business owners and
means, channel, facility, or instrumentality ades of distinguished service. Mark ex- their employees who are the backbone
of interstate commerce in connection with emplifies the ideal public servant, dem- of communities across our Nation.
the FGM; (3) a payment is made in or affect- onstrating integrity, thoroughness, a Mark has achieved great professional
ing interstate or foreign commerce in fur- spirit of inquiry, and hard work in success, but what he is most proud of is
therance of the FGM; (4) an offer or other every undertaking. Above all, Mark his family. Mark and Marie have three
communication is made in or affecting inter-
has always demonstrated his belief daughters: Miriam-Rose, Julie, and
state or foreign commerce in furtherance of Karen. While I am delighted for him
the FGM; (5) the conduct occurs within the that it is an honor to serve the people
of Maine and our Nation. that in his retirement he will have
United States’ special maritime and terri- more time to spend with the family he
torial jurisdiction, or within the District of Mark was born in New Jersey, but his
father’s final tour of duty in the U.S. loves so dearly, his absence as a mem-
Columbia or a U.S. territory; or (6) the FGM
otherwise occurs in or affects interstate or Navy brought the family to Maine, ber of my staff will be deeply felt.
foreign commerce. In our view, adding these Mark is a true public servant. He per-
where they were finally home. I first
provisions would ensure that, in every pros- forms his work not for accolades but
met Mark in 1986 at a campaign event for a belief in helping people and doing
ecution under the statute, there is a nexus to
for then-Representative John McKer- what right. I wish him and his family
interstate commerce.
Please let me know if we can be of further nan, who was running for Governor of all the best as they embark on this
assistance in this matter. the State of Maine. He had recently next chapter.
Sincerely, graduated from a joint degree program
f
NOEL J. FRANCISCO, at Columbia Law School and the
Solicitor General. School of Public and International Af- ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
f fairs at Princeton University. He had
just moved back to Maine with his wife
RECOGNIZING THE UNITED RECOGNIZING THE GREAT PLAINS
Marie, whom he had met while they
STATES AIR FORCE 389TH FIGHT- FOOD BANK
were both studying at Princeton.
ER SQUADRON ∑ Mr. CRAMER. Mr. President, this has
Mark and I both went on to work in
Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, the U.S. the Governor McKernan’s administra- been a challenging year for millions of
Air Force’s 389th Fighter Squadron— tion. Mark served as head of the Gov- Americans impacted by the COVID–19
known, respected, and feared around ernor’s legislative staff, and I was com- pandemic. Many organizations have
the globe as the Thunderbolts—flew missioner of professional and financial stepped up to assist with delivering
downrange from the 366th Fighter Wing regulation in his cabinet. At the time, food, and I want to recognize one North
at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Maine’s workers compensation market Dakota organization that continues to
Idaho to support Operations Inherent was in the midst of a crisis, leading to expand its services to partner with
Resolve and Spartan Shield from Octo- a 17-day State government shutdown. other local organizations reaching out
ber 2019 until June 2020. Led by Lt. Col. Mark and I worked closely together on to those in need.
Rod ‘‘Brick’’ James, the squadron of F– the reform legislation that ended the The Great Plains Food Bank has
15E Strike Eagles deployed to the served communities in North Dakota
shutdown and successfully resolved the
United States Central Command area since 1983, regularly dispatching trucks
crisis.
of responsibility for the fight against Mark held other roles in State gov- to all 53 counties across the State.
the Islamic State. With USDA estimates that 27 percent
ernment, but it was during his service
During its historic combat deploy- of all food produced in the United
in the Governor’s office that I first saw
States never makes it to the dinner
ment, the T-Bolts employed 263 muni- and came to appreciate his ability to
table, the Great Plains Food Bank’s
tions of myriad types during over 2,600 master complex issues and his dedica-
mission is to get this surplus food from
sorties and a record 13,000 combat tion to public service. those who have it to those who need it.
hours throughout CENTCOM. Dem- Mark joined my Senate staff in 2003.
It has joined forces with hundreds of
onstrating the rapid, agile, and lethal He has served in various roles since food industry partners to recover their
characteristics of airpower, the 389th that time, first in my personal office, surplus shelf-stable and perishable food
executed close air support for troops in then on my Homeland Security and products. These include local, regional
Syria and Iraq. In addition to CAS, the Governmental Affairs Committee staff, and national growers, processors, man-
Squadron Weapons section loaded the and now as chief counsel on my Aging ufacturers, retailers, Federal and State
first Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Mis- Committee staff. Through the years, government food programs, food drives,
sile, AGM–158, expended in combat by Mark has advised me with expertise and Feeding America, the Nation’s food
the 366th Fighter Wing, for just one of and thoroughness on a wide range of bank network.
a host of special missions. All the while issues. He served as my lead economic The Great Plains Food Bank took a
a deterrent, the T-Bolts stood ready to staffer on such legislation as the 2003 significant step forward last month
defeat Iranian aggression if the call tax cuts, the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief when it opened a second distribution
came. Finally, they stayed in the fight Program, the American Recovery and center, this one in Bismarck, to better
50 percent longer than planned to en- Reinvestment Act, the Dodd-Frank fi- facilitate the delivery of food across
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
sure COVID–19 did not cause any loss of nancial regulatory reform legislation, western and central North Dakota,
support to those who needed Strike Ea- and the Collins capital standards serving 100 soup kitchens, food pan-
gles overhead. amendment. He also advised me on the tries, and shelters. This new warehouse
Throughout their deployment, the economics of the 2010 Patient Protec- now has room for freezers and refrig-
men and women of the 389th Fighter tion and Affordable Care Act and later erators, office space and facilities for
Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance put his knowledge of State insurance volunteers.
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