Tammy Baldwin

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor my friend, Theodore ``Ted'' Bornstein. Ted recently announced his well-deserved retirement, after a long career as a vital and vigorous public servant and advocate. In the late 1970s, Ted began his work in Washington, DC, establishing and overseeing the State of Missouri's DC office, and led it for more than 6 years on behalf of Governors Joe Teasdale and Kit Bond. He later shifted to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as chief of staff to Representatives Cecil Heftel and Les Aspin. After Representative Aspin's confirmation to be Secretary of Defense under then-President Bill Clinton, Ted served as the director of the Defense Reinvestment Task Force. Following his time in the Department of Defense, Ted returned to Capitol Hill to serve the people of Wisconsin as chief of staff for former Senator Herb Kohl. As Senator Kohl's chief of staff, he led legislative outreach strategies and programs and oversaw the operation of several offices of more than 40 staff. He later departed Senator Kohl's office and joined the firm of Foley & Lardner, LLP, where he will retire as a partner this year. Ted's experience on Capitol Hill and the executive branch have made him a valuable asset to clients across a wide breadth of interests. He has successfully assisted clients in areas ranging from congressional investigations to defense policy and appropriations, as well as tax policy, healthcare, and governmental ethics. Outside of his professional work, Ted is a cofounder of the influential Wisconsin Group. This group brings together Wisconsin- connected professionals in business and public policy to meet regularly on issues of importance. His efforts on this front have been invaluable to many bipartisan achievements of the Wisconsin congressional delegation. I am pleased to recognize Ted's long career in public service and advocacy, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself, and that is what has happened to the American Negro. Something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be gained. Consciously or unconsciously, he has been caught up by the Zeitgeist, and with his black brothers of Africa and his brown and yellow brothers of Asia, South America and the Caribbean, the United States Negro is moving with a sense of great urgency toward the promised land of racial justice. If one recognizes this vital urge that has engulfed the Negro community, one should readily understand why public demonstrations are taking place. The Negro has many pent up resentments and latent frustrations, and he must release them. So let him march; let him make prayer pilgrimages to the city hall; let him go on freedom rides--and try to understand why he must do so. If his repressed emotions are not released in nonviolent ways, they will seek expression through violence; this is not a threat but a fact of history. So I have not said to my people: ``Get rid of your discontent.'' Rather, I have tried to say that this normal and healthy discontent can be channeled through into the creative outlet of nonviolent direct action. And now this approach is being termed extremist. But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: ``Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.'' Was not Amos an extremist for justice: ``Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.'' Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel: ``I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.'' Was not Martin Luther an extremist: ``Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God.'' And John Bunyan: ``I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience.'' And Abraham Lincoln: ``This nation cannot survive half slave and half free.'' And Thomas Jefferson: ``We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal . . . '' So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime--the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists. I had hoped that the white moderate would see this need. Perhaps I was too optimistic; perhaps I expected too much. I suppose I should have realized that few members of the oppressor race can understand the deep groans and passionate yearnings of the oppressed race, and still fewer have the vision to see that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent and determined action. I am thankful, however, that some of our white brothers in the South have grasped the meaning of this social revolution and committed themselves to it. They are still all too few in quantity, but they are big in quality. Some--such as Ralph McGill, Lillian Smith, Harry Golden, James McBride Dabbs, Ann Braden and Sarah Patton Boyle--have written about our struggle in eloquent and prophetic terms. Others have marched with us down nameless streets of the South. They have languished in filthy, roach infested jails, suffering the abuse and brutality of policemen who view them as ``dirty nigger-lovers.'' Unlike so many of their moderate brothers and sisters, they have recognized the urgency of the moment and sensed the need for powerful ``action'' antidotes to combat the disease of segregation. Let me take note of my other major disappointment. I have been so greatly disappointed with the white church and its leadership. Of course, there are some notable exceptions. I am not unmindful of the fact that each of you has taken some significant stands on this issue. I commend you, Reverend Stallings, for your Christian stand on this past Sunday, in welcoming Negroes to your worship service on a nonsegregated basis. I commend the Catholic leaders of this state for integrating Spring Hill College several years ago. But despite these notable exceptions, I must honestly reiterate that I have been disappointed with the church. I do not say this as one of those negative critics who can always find something wrong with the church. I say this as a minister of the gospel, who loves the church; who was nurtured in its bosom; who has been sustained by its spiritual blessings and who will remain true to it as long as the cord of life shall lengthen.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. I rise today in strong support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation as our Nation's next Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Oftentimes, the debate in the Senate on judicial nominations loses sight of the personal stories of those who are put before us, so let me start there. Let me start by talking about where Ketanji Brown Jackson came from to reach this extraordinary point where we are poised to write an important chapter of progress in our Nation's history. Ketanji Brown Jackson was born in our Nation's Capital and grew up in Miami. She is the daughter of two former public school teachers, who themselves were raised in the Jim Crow South. Two of Judge Jackson's uncles were police officers in Miami, one who ultimately became the police chief. Her brother served in the U.S. Army and as a police officer in Baltimore. Judge Jackson attended public school in the Miami-Dade County school system. She credits her father for starting her on a path to the law, as he went back to school to earn a law degree and became a lawyer working for the school board. Family, education, hard work, public service, all guiding Judge Jackson on the path that brought her to this moment, to today. She was elected mayor of her junior high school class and president of her high school class. She grew to be a standout on the speech and debate team. And when her high school counselor told her not to set her sights too high, she never accepted the limits of others--she persevered. Judge Jackson went to Harvard where she graduated magna cum laude. She went to Harvard Law School where she was a top student and editor of the prestigious Law Review. Following graduation from law school, this nominee worked for three consecutive Federal judges, culminating with a clerkship from 1999 to 2000 for Supreme Court Justice Breyer. As Judge Jackson has said, this is the lesson she took from her experience: Justice Breyer exemplified every day, in every way, that a Supreme Court Justice can perform at the highest level of skill and integrity while also being guided by civility, grace, pragmatism and generosity of spirit. Guided by her belief in the power and promise of the Constitution and this Nation's founding principles--freedom, liberty, and equality-- Judge Jackson went on to serve as an assistant Federal public defender in the DC Circuit, representing defendants who did not have the means to pay for a lawyer. When confirmed, Judge Jackson will be the first former Federal public defender to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. And to me, this is an extremely important qualification that Judge Jackson holds and will bring with her to the Supreme Court. As a former public defender, she had firsthand experience delivering the Constitution's promise of due process. This promise, given to all Americans without regard to financial means or political connections, is an essential element of our system of justice. We all should want this experience and the perspective it brings on our highest Court because it is a fundamental protection in our justice system. Judge Jackson has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate three times previously. She was first confirmed by the Senate to serve as the Vice Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Following in the footsteps of Justice Breyer, she would become the only member of the current Court who previously served as a member of that bipartisan, independent commission dedicated to reducing sentencing disparities and promoting transparency and proportionality in sentencing. Next, after President Obama nominated Judge Jackson to be a district court judge for the District of Columbia, she was once again confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2013. During Judge Jackson's 8 years on the bench as a district judge, she issued more than 500 written opinions. And last year, she was again confirmed by the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In confirming her to each of these positions, the Senate voiced its confidence in Judge Jackson's character, integrity, and intelligence. Experience matters, and the fact is, Judge Jackson is as qualified and experienced in the law as any nominee in our Nation's history, bringing more experience as a judge than four of the current Justices did combined at the time they joined the Court. This strong experience has provided her a clear understanding of the role of a judge and the role of the judiciary in our system of government. As she has said herself, ``A judge has a duty to decide cases based solely on the law, without fear or favor, prejudice or passion.'' That is precisely why she has a proven record of being faithful to the Constitution and being an independent, fair, and impartial judge. That is why Judge Jackson has earned the support of the law enforcement community, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as victims of crime, including domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. I had the pleasure and, in fact, joy of meeting with Judge Jackson last week. No fairminded person can deny her impressive credentials and experience, and no one should deny the moment she has rightfully earned to be considered for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Our meeting wasn't long, but it was long enough for me to know that she has a quality that everyone we work for wants in a judge and certainly in a Justice on the Supreme Court. She knows how to listen, and I have every confidence that Judge Jackson understands how important that quality is for a judge to carry out their responsibility and commitment to the rule of law. Judge Jackson's lifetime of hard work and perseverance has prepared her well for this inspiring moment. I believe the people I work for in Wisconsin agree. A young high school student in Milwaukee recently said: Knowing she is the first person to do that, it like, gives me the idea that I can do big stuff too. Jada Davis, the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Milwaukee and a law student at Marquette University, said this: The more you see yourself in other people the more confidence you will have to do those same things or go after what you want. I know Judge Jackson has the character, temperament, and experience we want in a Justice on our highest Court. I also know what this moment means to thousands of girls across Wisconsin who, after Judge Brown Jackson's confirmation, will have even more proof that they can achieve ``big stuff'' too. I believe she has a deep appreciation for the fact that the Supreme Court makes decisions that have a profound effect on the lives of all Americans and that she will work to serve and protect the constitutional rights and freedoms of all Americans. I will proudly vote for this historic confirmation, the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court. I yield the floor.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, I rise today to honor the lives, careers, and achievements of Reverend Ken DeGroot and Sister Melanie Maczka. Together, Reverend Ken and Sister Melanie created the Casa ALBA Melanie a community center dedicated to serving the Hispanic population of the greater Green Bay area. Through Casa ALBA Melanie, and their ministerial service, Reverend Ken and Sister Melanie have welcomed members of the Hispanic community to our State with open arms for over 25 years. It was 1991 when Reverend Ken first encountered the mission which would encompass the rest of his career. Two young men, fresh off the train from Mexico and at his doorstep, were tired, hungry, and could not speak English. Far from home and looking for a house of worship, Reverend Ken welcomed them into St. Willebrord parish. He decided that night that Green Bay could be the home they searched for. They would find they were not alone. Thousands of people from Central and South America already lived in their community, working in a world where they could not speak the language. Today, it is estimated that at least 20,500 Hispanics live in the greater Green Bay area, and about 28 percent of the Green Bay school population is Hispanic. Alongside Sister Melanie, Reverend Ken decided things had to change. They traveled to Mexico, visiting villages, learning the culture and language of the neighbors they had never known they had. When they returned to Green Bay, they knew they could work to better serve the Hispanic community. In 2012, Reverend Ken and Sister Melanie established Casa ALBA Melanie and transformed the quality of life for Hispanic families by providing legal assistance, health services, language acquisition, Spanish GED lessons, financial assistance, and, perhaps most importantly, a safe haven for Green Bay's Spanish speaking residents. This year, Casa ALBA Melanie celebrates its 10-year anniversary and with this great celebration comes a change in leadership. Reverend Ken, who has served as chair of the development committee and the finance committee, and Sister Melanie who has served as executive director, will both retire from the impactful organization they helped guide over this past decade. Their work is an inspiration to all people seeking to create a more equitable and welcoming America. I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Reverend Ken DeGroot and Sister Melanie Maczka for their leadership at Casa ALBA Melanie and throughout the greater Green Bay community.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Mr. Alex Wagner, the President's nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Department of Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and Mr. Ashish Vazirani, nominee to be Deputy Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness. As a Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I know that the most important investment for our national security is in our servicemembers--our real competitive advantage with Russia and China. Mr. Wagner brings a combination of public and private sector experience to the table. He will be key in recruiting, training, and retaining the talent needed to compete in the 21st century. Absent his leadership, we may miss important opportunities to invest in our servicemembers at a time when we are still standing up a new military branch, the Space Force. Mr. Vazirani will be responsible for ensuring that we take care of our people, a priority for the Secretary and everyone in this body. Mr. Vazirani has significant private sector experience as a consultant and manager. Further, he served in the Navy and is the father of a marine. He has the firsthand experience and knowledge that we need to help improve the opportunities available to military families and spouses. Both of these nominees are needed to help implement important priorities, like the Independent Review Commission's sexual assault recommendations, improving diversity in the force, and addressing mental health and suicide. Both of these nominees are focused on taking care of our people and ensuring the Department has in place the workforce with the skill sets that we need to be successful in strategic competition with Russia and China. Put simply, if you are serious about countering Russia and China, you should allow these nominees to be confirmed. And if you are serious about taking care of those who serve, you should allow these nominees to be confirmed. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations, en bloc: Calendar Nos. 477 and 599; that the Senate vote on the nominations, en bloc, without intervening action or debate; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; and that the Senate then resume legislative session.

Ms. BALDWIN. I am disappointed that my Republican colleague blocked confirmation of these nominations. These nominees have been held up since last year. They were approved by the Armed Services Committee with a bipartisan vote and only one Member recorded as a no. It is time to end these delays and confirm these nominees. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3969, which was introduced earlier today.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nominations: Nos. 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, and 841, and all nominations on the Secretary's desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force; that the nominations be confirmed, en bloc; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 274, S. 442.

Ms. BALDWIN. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of Jerry Kang, President Biden's nominee to serve on the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. As you know, the foundation serves sectors of our economy that continue to face tremendous need and uncertainty in the wake of the pandemic. During this trying time, it is critically important that we confirm qualified individuals who are eager to serve and support. This nomination has been reviewed by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on a bipartisan basis, and we are waiting on the Senate to confirm him so he can get to work. It is past time that we confirm qualified nominees so that the Federal Government has a team in place--the team that it needs to operate and support our constituents. As an ex-officio member of the National Council on the Arts, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the following nomination: Calendar No. 729, Jerry Kang, of California, to be a Member of the National Council on the Humanities for a term expiring January 26, 2026; that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or debate; that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; and that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record.

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, not only did Jerry Kang get recommended by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on a bipartisan basis, but he is a scholar and has a very important reputation. Half of his work deals with communication and the internet on matters such as privacy and pervasive computing and virtual communities. The other half, by his own description, deals with civil rights and race. And he is probably best known for his works on implicit bias. These are critical topics, and we should be eager to have somebody of Professor Kang's caliber and commitment on the Foundation on the Arts and Humanities, and so I am certainly disappointed to hear the objection from the Republican side.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 570, submitted earlier today.

Ms. BALDWIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 314, S. Res. 547.

Ms. BALDWIN. I further ask that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 571, submitted earlier today.

Ms. BALDWIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I have five requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 31; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate resume consideration of the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 310, H.R. 4373, the legislative vehicle for COVID funding; that at 11:45 a.m., the Senate proceed to executive session and vote on the confirmations of the Geraghty and Castner nominations in the order listed; that upon the disposition of the Castner nomination, the Senate resume legislative session and that the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to H.R. 4373 ripen at 1:45 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Thursday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Ms. BALDWIN. Senators should expect two rollcall votes at 11:45 a.m. and one rollcall vote at 1:45 p.m.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order.

Ms. BALDWIN

Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I ask that the Senate proceed to executive session and vote on the confirmation of Executive Calendar No. 737, the nomination of Hector Gonzalez, under the previous order.

Ms. BALDWIN. I ask for the yeas and nays.