John Boozman

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to honor Fayetteville Police Department Corporal Seay-Peter Floyd and Officer Natalie Eucce for being awarded the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in Policing by the U.S. Department of Justice. This is a well-deserved honor for their dedication, sacrifice, and bravery they demonstrated on December 7, 2019, when a gunman, armed with 100 rounds of ammunition, targeted law enforcement. Tragically, Fayetteville Police Officer Stephen Carr was killed while sitting in a patrol vehicle in the police station's parking lot. Corporal Floyd courageously pursued the suspect and fired in order to stop the assailant. Officer Eucce joined in the pursuit and also fired her weapon. If not for their quick response, there could have been other victims. This prestigious award is given to State and local law enforcement officers who personify excellence while protecting others. Only 23 members of the law enforcement community from across the country earned this honor this year. Corporal Floyd and Officer Eucce are the first Arkansans to receive this award. Throughout their careers, Corporal Floyd and Officer Eucce have responded to calls for help while not knowing what challenges they will face. They are heroic public servants who courageously face danger head on. It takes a special person to put their life on the line every day to safeguard the public. Corporal Floyd and Officer Eucce represent the men and women who make a difference in our communities. I applaud their service and commitment to safety and the rule of law and congratulate them for receiving the fourth annual Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in Policing.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to congratulate the Ozark Media Arts Festival on 10 years of success and recognize the pathway it is creating from education to employment in the multimedia industry in Arkansas and throughout the region. More than 8,000 students have participated in OMAF, helping these young minds make connections with others who have similar passions in filmmaking, broadcast journalism, production, photography, and other media platforms that keep citizens informed and entertained. The festival allows participants to explore their interests and learn from industry professionals on how to further develop their talents. OMAF provides a venue for students to showcase their abilities, learn new skills, and compete against the brightest up-and-comers in their field of interest. The recognition that comes with earning the top spot in the competitions hosted by the festival is certainly something to be proud of, and the enthusiasm shared amongst all participants who put their creativity on display is what continues to make the Ozark Media Arts Festival a success and a place for students to foster relationships that will help them transition their skills from an educational setting to the communications industry. The festival truly is investing in the future of the multimedia industry in the region. It is a good one-stop-shop for high schoolers to learn more about the programs offered at colleges and universities and other programs where they can continue to hone their skills. Just as importantly, it provides a valuable networking opportunity with potential employers and demonstrates how they can turn their passion into a future career. It was a pleasure to participate in a virtual panel discussion for the 2020 festival as educators, industry leaders, and policymakers and talk about the importance of communication and how technology continues to shape how we get information and stay connected with each other. Congratulations to Ozark Media Arts Festival on a decade of accomplishments and encouraging multimedia education and building relationships to help future generations of communicators realize their dream of a career in the multimedia industry.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, it is such an honor and such a pleasure to be with my fellow Senator from Arkansas, Mr. Cotton, as we rise to honor Pine Bluff Detective Kevin Collins, who died while in the line of duty, on Monday, October 5, as a result of injuries he sustained. Detective Collins was a passionate person about law enforcement and serving the citizens of Pine Bluff. He served his community not only as an officer of the law but also as a mentor and a leader. It was reported that he had wanted to be a police officer since he had been 3 years old. In an interview with the Pine Bluff Commercial in 2018, he said: ``Ever since I was little, I saw law enforcement as a service and something I could be proud of.'' He worked his entire life to achieve that dream, and it came true 5 years ago when he was hired by the Pine Bluff Police Department on June 8, 2015. He was first assigned to the patrol division, and he worked his way up to the violent crimes unit. Detective Collins loved being a police officer, and he enjoyed building relationships with the men and women he worked alongside as well as with the citizens whom he served. His colleagues appreciated his enthusiasm, his hard work, and dedication, which he demonstrated each and every day both in and out of uniform. Detective Collins was passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. As a mentor to at-risk boys during the department's 2- week Youth Empowerment Camp, he was a role model for teens--encouraging good behavior and reinforcing the importance of making good decisions. In his short time with the Pine Bluff Police Department, he had a long list of successes that include taking a large number of guns off the streets and earning the department's Officer of the Year for 2017 for his actions in saving a 95-year-old resident while responding to an apartment fire. Detective Collins lived a faithful life devoted to Christ as a member of New Life Church Pine Bluff. Pastor Matt Mosler says Detective Collins had a great heart for service. He took that heart for service and put his faith into action, taking the initiative to make his community better. We rely on law enforcement officers like Detective Collins to keep communities safe, to keep us safe. His death is a tragic reminder of the risk law enforcement officers face each day when they put on their uniform and leave the comforts of their homes and their loved ones to serve and to protect. Detective Collins was a true hero. Our hearts break for his family, his colleagues at the Pine Bluff Police Department, and community members. I pray they will find comfort from the outpouring of support for this beloved brother in blue. Senator Cotton, I yield to you.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Arkansas educator, Susanna Post, who was named the 2021 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. Susanna has demonstrated her excellence in educating during her tenure as a math and business technology teacher at Belle Point Alternative Center in Fort Smith, AR. Susanna launched her teaching career in North Carolina after graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2002, where she earned a degree in mathematics and computer science. She left the classroom temporarily after a family relocation when she entered the business world and worked as petroleum analyst and senior engineering technician at multiple oil and gas companies. We are fortunate that she wanted to return to teaching as she has been a trailblazer during her time at Belle Point, quickly accruing a long list of achievements. Susanna developed the school's first coding club and also facilitated a Lindamood-Bell literary intervention group. She is also the primary leader for the school's Culture Project Week, a program that uses project-based activities to strengthen relationships among students, faculty, and community. Her devotion to educating future generations has benefitted not only Belle Point, but the entire school district. In addition to serving on the district's secondary math curriculum development team, she also created an ACT prep program in collaboration with other district leaders. Susanna's leadership is equally evident in the classroom, where she implemented a unique project-based learning approach using her experience from the business world. Her passion for and commitment to education is demonstrated by her own education. She completed two master's programs while teaching at Belle Point. In 2017, she earned a master's degree in secondary education and teaching from the University of Central Arkansas. In 2020, she received a master's in rural and urban school leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I would like to offer my congratulations to Susanna Post for her determination, devotion, and commitment to her students and to education. I am encouraged by her efforts to inspire our next generation of leaders and her drive to help them succeed.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The clerk will call the roll.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Dawn Curtis and her late husband Danny Curtis on being named 2020 Angels in Adoption award recipients. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, CCAI, was established in 2001 to raise awareness about the need for adoption in the United States and eliminate barriers standing between orphan and foster children becoming part of a family. Angels in Adoption is the CCAI's signature public awareness program, which annually recognizes outstanding individuals, families, and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to adoption, permanency, and child welfare. I am honored to congratulate Dawn and Danny Curtis for their exemplary work that led to this well-deserved national honor. Dawn and Danny had two biological children and dreamed of a bigger family. The call to expand their family was answered during a visit to their local Walmart, where Dawn and Danny were browsing a photo album of children in foster care at a booth hosted by the Arkansas Department of Human Services. They fell in love with the picture of a 4-year-old girl and learned she had three brothers. The siblings had been in the foster care system for 3 years and multiple homes when the couple adopted all four of the children. After their first adoption experience, Dawn decided to follow her passion to work with children in foster care and obtained her master's degree in social work. She went on to work for the Arkansas Department of Human Services and served in a variety of roles during her career, including as an adoption specialist. During these years, the family was approached to consider adopting others in foster care and eventually added six more children to their home. Danny worked for many years as a police officer and a bus driver while caring for his growing family. Danny and Dawn also visited Washington, DC, on several occasions to advocate for adoption and children in foster care. The 12 Curtis children span 20 years of age and are all adults now, but the example and dedication of their parents continues to move everyone around them. The Curtis family is an amazing example of putting love into action. Their personal commitment changed the lives of the children they brought into their family and serves as an inspiration for others as to the impact of foster care and adoption.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, we are here today to commend our Republican leadership for forging a bipartisan compromise on a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown. In particular, I am so pleased that we reached an agreement that included full reimbursement to the Commodity Credit Corporation, which we have all been talking about--not only agreement, but to take away the potential of unnecessary delays in farm and conservation payments, which are so important to our farmers. For decades, the CCC has been routinely reimbursed without fanfare, but, unfortunately, not so this year. Our farmers and ranchers have faced more than enough challenges this year--extreme weather events, low commodity prices, market volatility, a global pandemic, and the list just goes on and on and on. They don't need Washington to make things even more difficult With passage of this bill, with the full CCC reimbursement, farm and conservation program payments will go out as planned and will offer farmers and ranchers a little more certainty and a little bit more predictability to continue growing the food and fiber for this Nation-- not only for this Nation but for the world. These important programs--like Ag Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, Market Assistance Loans, the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, and others--were authorized in the 2018 farm bill that was supported with an overwhelmingly bipartisan record number of votes in the Senate. So I want to really just thank all of those involved in this effort. They worked so, so very hard. A special thanks to Senator McConnell and his staff and Chairman Roberts, whom we have with us now, who is certainly the voice of ag in the Senate and in Congress. We are going to miss him greatly, as he decides to step aside. And also to Senator Hoeven and the great work that he did through the ag appropriations part of this. Then, as Senator Roberts mentioned, there are the staffs that worked so, so very hard, and also the members of the Ag Committee who stepped up and really shouldered the burden and just did a tremendous job in really explaining to Congress and explaining to the public how important this issue was and that we simply could not go forward without getting it included. Then we are here, and we fight. We are kind of the tip of the stick and the spear in the ag community and worked really hard in that regard. We simply couldn't get it done without the agriculture groups that worked so, so very hard, again, in educating the farmers. They understand how important this is, but, again, mobilizing them, mobilizing the public so that we could have the great result that we did. I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. I thank Senator Hoeven and Senator Roberts for organizing this and getting us down here to talk about a topic that is so, so very important. I am not going to say anything new. I am going to be saying that we need to include reimbursement to the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation in the upcoming continuing resolution. The CCC is the funding mechanism for the bulk of our Nation's agriculture and conservation programs that are authorized with broad bipartisan support in the farm bill. In order for these programs to work as intended, the CCC must be reimbursed by Congress on an annual basis. For decades, the CCC has been reimbursed by Congress without fanfare, and I am hopeful this year will be a continuation. Earlier this year, the Senate voted unanimously to allow the USDA to use $14 billion from the CCC to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. This provision was included in the CARES Act. As our farmers and ranchers face the most challenging year in recent history, we have an obligation to advance this provision so the important farm and conservation program payments are made on time and in full to our farmers and ranchers. Earlier this week, over 40 agricultural organizations representing farmers and ranchers across the country sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee, urging this provision be included in the continuing resolution. Preventing a CCC reimbursement would only exacerbate the tremendous hardship and challenges facing our farmers and ranchers. So I am here with so many other members of the Senate Ag Committee and Members who represent rural States to urge the Senate to help farmers and ranchers and prevent the uncertainty that would come from not including this important provision. I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today in light of a significant anniversary for a crucial organization in the state of Arkansas. Fifty years ago, Special Olympics Arkansas was founded under the idea of an equal and opportune Arkansas. On this special day of celebration, I would like to recognize and thank Special Olympics Arkansas for its dedication to a virtuous mission that has transformed my State in more ways than one. Special Olympics Arkansas was designed to fulfill and uphold a specific vision to transform communities through sports and education. To make this ambition a reality, the organization provides individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in year- round sports and athletic training. Just as Special Olympics Arkansas has a positive impact on the field, it is also a powerful and effective catalyst for social change off the field. By offering a range of programming efforts that encompass health, education, community building and leadership, Special Olympics Arkansas is doing exactly what it set out to accomplish. Since its inception, the organization has seen increasing and overwhelming demand. Special Olympics Arkansas has 15,000 participating athletes and 5,000 volunteers. Additionally, it offers training in 15 different sports with 240 statewide competitions and has cultivated participation in all 75 of the State's counties. While the transformative power of sports is at the organization's core, competition is merely a gateway to creating avenues for individuals, both with and without intellectual disabilities, to experience personal growth, find joy and gain confidence. The addition of several new programs such as the Inclusive Health Program, Unified School Program, and the Unified Leadership Program has proven tremendously valuable in breaking down barriers and creating accepting and inclusive communities. Thanks to Special Olympics Arkansas, our State has experienced great social progress and meaningful change over the past 50 years. I cannot thank Special Olympics Arkansas enough for its continued dedication to creating an environment where enhanced opportunity and acceptance take center stage. Arkansas citizens of all backgrounds, their families, and our communities are forever grateful for five decades of hard work and dedication to a better tomorrow.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, healthcare workers have long been regarded as some of our Nation's most critical and courageous servants. During this time of challenges and uncertainty, this has never been more accurate. Each day, our healthcare professionals make tireless sacrifices to protect and serve our country, even when it means risking their own lives to take care of others. People like Jennifer Campbell, a registered nurse from White River Health System, are a great example. She is recognized as the in-house expert for all COVID-19 testing. She has taken ownership of the community drive-up testing and worked with the Arkansas Department of Health to organize community testing. In Malvern, Vickie Robbins, a registered nurse at Baptist Health-Hot Spring County, has volunteered to work extra hours, offered to operate drive-through screening, and volunteered to treat COVID-19 patients. Also, Lora Turknett, a registered nurse at Baptist Health-Conway, has been dependable and flexible with the hours she works to support the needs of different shifts. She provides compassionate care with a positive attitude. During visits to medical facilities across Arkansas during the in- State work period, I was honored to personally thank frontline workers like them and so many others for the critical care they are providing. The work of these frontline workers and their colleagues has become much more difficult. We are grateful for all they do and represent. Congress overwhelmingly supported the men and women of the medical community who are treating COVID-19 patients and are working to find a cure to address the public health crisis with the passage of the CARES Act. This critical relief was a necessary lifeline for hospitals to continue providing services to meet the demands of the communities and helping our doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals stay safe while providing care and treatment for patients. There is more that we can do to support healthcare and ensure that patients get reliable care. Listening to the needs of hospitals is incredibly important in many efforts to assist these vital facilities, protect the jobs they create, and empower their ability to serve communities and patients all across Arkansas. Insight from the healthcare community is a valuable resource that helps shape the policies that directly impact their mission. Along with continuing to provide critical resources like PPE, here are three things Arkansas healthcare professionals recommend we can do to improve services. First of all, we can expand broadband so more patients can take advantage of telehealth; make expanded telehealth services to Medicare permanent; and, finally, provide certainty for the 340B drug discount program. Telehealth has become vital to providing effective care for patients during this public health emergency. Access to medical providers without leaving home offers convenience and safety against potential exposure to COVID-19. Having the option for virtual doctors' visits can be a challenge, particularly for rural areas, where broadband connectivity is limited. This emergency has amplified the need for this connection, but, too often, providers in rural communities are unable to meet the increased demand for telehealth services. So my colleagues and I have introduced legislation to help healthcare providers expand telehealth benefits and improve access to broadband. The Healthcare Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act would bolster funding for providers in rural areas to increase connectivity. This bill would help more patients get the care they need. We have a unique opportunity to see how the modifications and updates we made to health programs during this health emergency can be beneficial in the long term. The CARES Act provided the Department of Health and Human Services with the authority to waive telehealth requirements for Medicare during this emergency. Providers and patients have adapted expanded telehealth opportunities. We can continue to strengthen this access by making these services permanent. Earlier this summer, I joined a bipartisan group of Senators to urge our Nation's top health agencies to make the permanent changes to telehealth requirements for Medicare that Congress authorized in the CARES Act. Last month, President Trump issued an Executive order to improve healthcare in rural America by expanding telehealth resources and services. The President's action included a proposal to parts of Medicare's telehealth coverage. This is a step in the right direction. I look forward to working with the administration to implement a rule that will enhance the delivery of healthcare to Medicare patients. When Arkansas hospital administrators shared their concerns over future eligibility in the 340B program, I signed on to support Senator Thune's bill to provide certainty to current participants. As hospitals paused elective procedures and as admissions decreased for Medicare and Medicaid patients, administrators' concerns that their hospitals would no longer be eligible for the 340B program increased. These are among the key metrics used to determine acceptance into the program. The 340B drug discount program has provided flexibility to Arkansas hospitals to help lower drug prices. Extending eligibility so they can care for low- income patients is critical. These are three measures we can take to help patients continue to get quality, reliable care. We must remember that, like our valued healthcare workers, we play an important role in fighting the virus. By following the guidance and recommendations laid out by our public health officials, we can help our medical heroes and make a positive impact to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate Commissioner Candace Franks for all she has accomplished over her 40- year career with the Arkansas State Bank Department, ASBD. She will retire as department commissioner in October, an especially significant milestone given her appointment as the first female in this role and her tenure as the longest serving commissioner in ASBD history. Commissioner Franks' leadership at the ASBD has directly improved the economic well-being of Arkansas communities and citizens by ensuring safe, convenient, and competitive banking. The department was established in 1903 to fulfill a simple yet essential role: regulate Arkansas banks and bank holding companies. Since her arrival at the department, she has worked tirelessly to achieve the mission of safe and sound financial institutions that garner public confidence. An impressive statistic demonstrates this dedication: When she began in 1980, the department oversaw institutions holding $7 billion in assets; as she leaves in 2020, the institutions now hold over $123 billion in assets. She grounds herself in the notion that hard work, commitment, and patience pay off. After completing three postsecondary degrees--two at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and one at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law--she joined the ASBD as general counsel in 1980. She held this position until she was promoted to deputy commissioner and general counsel in 1995, before her appointment to commissioner in 2007. Commissioner Franks' ability to lead, guide, and better the State of Arkansas extends beyond her critical role in the financial sector. From 2014 to 2015, she served as chairman of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, where she is now chairman emeritus. She currently serves as chairman of the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System after being appointed to the board of trustees by Governor Asa Hutchinson in 2017. Additionally, she serves as a trustee on the Arkansas Teachers Retirement System and the State Board of Finance. It is with no surprise that Commissioner Franks has been repeatedly recognized for her accomplished career and influence in Arkansas. For 3 consecutive years--1996, 1997, and 1998--she was honored by Arkansas Business as one of the ``Top 100 Women in Arkansas.'' In 2010, she was recognized by the same publication as one of 20 ``Women of Influence'' in Arkansas. On behalf of Arkansas, our financial institutions, and the ASBD, I thank Commissioner Candace Franks for her dedication to developing a healthy banking system that improves the quality of life in Arkansas. I wish her well in her retirement.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. I want to take a second to thank the Presiding Officer for the great work that he is doing on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. As the Senator just spoke earlier, he is working hard to take these bills and improve them. Everyone is working together, and we certainly appreciate the fact that the Senator has so much experience in a variety of different ways and has added so much the committee. We are very thankful for that. I rise today to recognize the significant steps that the Senate recently took to improve the mental healthcare of veterans and save lives with the passage of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. This moves us one step closer to paving a new path forward in suicide prevention and implementing a new strategy that, I believe, will give hope and purpose to the men and women who live with these invisible injuries. More than 50,000 organizations nationwide provide suicide prevention services for veterans. These nonprofits and community organizations play a vital role and have taken the lead to build effective programs. I have heard from veterans how organizations like the one based in Rogers, AR, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, are encouraging them to live their best life. I have also seen how outdoor therapies like Rivers of Recovery are supporting the mental health needs of veterans and how veteran service organizations are stepping up and addressing mental healthcare in their communities. We have so many organizations in Arkansas and throughout the country that are doing a great job in this capacity. In Mount Home, AR, the Disabled American Veterans chapter changed its approach to outreach after the region experienced the highest veteran suicide rate in the State, one of the highest in the Nation. Members enhanced their contact with veterans in the area. This connection has saved lives and reversed the suicide rate in Northern Arkansas. It makes sense that we harness the ideas and successes of this DAV chapter and other advocates into sound policy. That is why I joined with Senator Mark Warner to champion a new strategy that authorizes the VA to provide grants to nonprofits in their communities, establishing a framework to coordinate these efforts and expand outreach to more veterans. Additionally, this legislation will enable the VA to establish greater partnerships with communities to better measure the effectiveness of ongoing suicide prevention programs. I appreciate the leadership of the VA Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, Ranking Member Jon Tester, and the assistance of them and their staffs in working with me and Senator Warner and our staffs to include our proposal, the IMPROVE Well-Being for Veterans' Act, in the comprehensive mental healthcare package, again, that we just passed in the Senate. I especially want to thank Rosie Heiss, Amanda Want, and Pat McGuigan, members of my staff who spent countless hours and worked with numerous groups to find a solution to help advance this idea. The VA estimates around 20 veterans commit suicide each day. That number has remained roughly unchanged despite a tremendous increase in funding. Interestingly, only 6 of those 20 veterans are receiving healthcare services in the VA. By sharing information and collaborating with veteran-serving nonprofits and other community organizations, we can expand our network and provide the help the veterans need and, ultimately, capture more veterans into our VA system. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie called this approach ``key'' to unlocking the veteran suicide crisis. Hopefully, he is right. I applaud the Senate for advancing this bill and look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to quickly approve this legislation so that we can reassure veterans that their best days are ahead of them. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of a significant anniversary in our Nation's history. Thirty years ago, on July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA. Because of the monumental impact on individuals with disabilities, the ADA remains one of the most celebrated pieces of civil rights legislation today. Behind the ADA is a specific vision: a more equitable, accessible and inclusive America. This watershed legislation sought to eradicate the discrimination that long confronted individuals with disabilities in the United States in many areas--including employment, education, transportation, and government services. The ADA established a clear and comprehensive national mandate to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in their communities. We can be proud of organizations in Arkansas dedicated to providing services and life-enhancing skills so individuals with disabilities can engage in everyday activities and independent living. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the ADA, the Senate recently passed S. Res. 661 recognizing this landmark legislation and the importance of independent living for individuals with disabilities that was made possible with this law. In celebration of this milestone, I am proud to recognize the advancement of disability rights in Arkansas and nationwide.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and congratulate two of my favorite people--Gen. David L. Goldfein and CMSAF Kaleth O. Wright on their upcoming retirement from the U.S. Air Force after a combined 68 years of distinguished military service to our great Nation. General Goldfein's outstanding 37-year career has culminated as the 21st Chief of Staff of the Air Force. In this role, he has been responsible for the organization, training, and equipping of 685,000 Active-Duty, Guard, Reserve, and Civilian Forces serving all over the world. He has been crucial to strengthening our national security and has led the effort on shaping the Air Force and Joint Force of the future. General Goldfein launched his career at the Air Force Academy. He graduated in 1983 and continued his training at the United States Air Force Weapons School. He would go on to earn his command pilot rating, accumulating more than 4,200 flying hours in various aircraft, such as the T-37, T-38, F-16, F-117, MQ-9, and MC-12. He flew combat missions in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Allied Force and Enduring Freedom. On May 2, 1999, while flying a night mission during Operation Allied Force, then Lieutenant Colonel Goldfein found himself in the skies above Serbia in his F-16 fighter jet. His mission was to bomb targets designed to force the Serbian dictator, Slobodan Milosevic, to withdraw his troops from Kosovo. Things changed rapidly when an air missile exploded through the belly of his aircraft, forcing him to eject and parachute into enemy territory. He was quickly rescued in Kosovo by the Air Force's elite combat search and rescue team. His ability to make sound decisions under this extreme pressure and many other actions throughout his career are why he was the right person to serve as Chief of Staff for the past 4 years. General Goldfein epitomizes the finest qualities of a military leader. His passion for the Air Force, the airmen, and their families--this certainly is a family affair--is unparalleled, and the country owes him a debt of gratitude for his sacrifice and for his service. I would also like to recognize Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Wright for his exceptional 31-year career in the U.S. Air Force. For the past 3\1/2\ years, he has served as the senior enlisted advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, the readiness, the morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. After enlisting in the Air Force in 1989, Chief Wright would go on to serve in various duties in the dental career field. He deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Enduring Freedom and completed overseas tours in South Korea, Japan, Germany, and Alaska. As the 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, his transparent leadership, character, and natural charisma built a never-before-seen trust with the 410,000 enlisted members. Under his leadership, improvements were made to the enlisted professional military education system, enlisted promotion system, physical training testing, and the enlisted evaluation system. His passion for building a resilient force, suicide prevention, and diversity and inclusion will have lasting positive impacts on the service, the airmen, and their families. Fittingly, Chief Wright will continue to advocate for airmen as the next CEO of the Air Force Aid Society. As cochair of the Senate Air Force Caucus and Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for ensuring our Armed Forces and their families have the infrastructure and facilities to support their needs, I have met with these Air Force leaders on numerous occasions during their service, as they encouraged congressional support to strengthen Air Force priorities and military readiness. Airmen can be proud of their advocacy and leadership to ensure the United States maintains our air superiority. On behalf of the U.S. Senate, the Senate Air Force Caucus, and a grateful nation, I extend my deepest appreciation to General Goldfein, Chief Master Sergeant Wright, and their families for their many, many years of exemplary military service and sacrifice. We all wish them nothing but the very best in the future. With that, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dr. Nate Smith, whose expert medical guidance and strong leadership will be deeply missed following his departure from the Arkansas Department of Health. Dr. Smith launched his career with the Arkansas Department of Health in 2009. His extensive medical background and dedication to the department's mission allowed him quick advancement through the agency ranks. He initially served as State epidemiologist and subsequently served as branch chief for infectious diseases and deputy director for Public Health Programs. However, Dr. Smith's more recent and notable appointments to director and State health officer in 2013 and secretary of health in 2019 presented him with even greater responsibility in maintaining and protecting public health in the State of Arkansas. As a member of Governor Asa Hutchinson's cabinet, Dr. Smith crafted and implemented the State's response to the COVID-19 emergency. He has worked diligently alongside the Governor's team to provide medical and scientific reasoning for pandemic-related decisions. Dr. Smith's commitment to the health and well-being of Arkansans has always been evident. We are especially grateful for that commitment as he navigated unprecedented times on behalf of our State. Dr. Smith's distinguished career with the Arkansas Department of Health comes after years of education and preparation, including over a decade of comprehensive medical schooling, four degrees, and two board certifications. After graduating from Rice University in 1986, Dr. Smith claimed home to Texas and its classrooms for the next 10 years. By 1991, Dr. Smith had earned two more degrees: a doctor of medicine from Baylor College of Medicine and a master of arts from Dallas Theological Seminary. In 1996, Dr. Smith earned a master of public health from the University of Texas School of Public Health, focusing on disease control. He completed two infectious disease fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine before pursuing a degree in tropical medicine and hygiene from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in England. What emerged as an area of interest for Dr. Smith in medical school led to an expansive, acclaimed career in infectious disease medicine. After years of education and training, Dr. Smith took his knowledge to Africa at the height of the AIDS epidemic. While simultaneously serving as a medical missionary with his wife, Dr. Smith worked at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya in the roles as chief of internal medicine, medical intern program director, and infectious disease consultant. He found himself back in Kenya in 2006 under the direction of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, this time working with the Kenya Institute of Human Virology as a senior medical technical adviser and country medical director. His expertise in infectious disease is well-respected and has led to his participation and leadership in several medical advisory groups. Dr. Smith served as chairman of the infection control committee for the Arkansas Department of Health, chairman of the Arkansas AIDS Drug Assistance Program Formulary Advisory Committee, and chairman of the Infectious Disease Policy Committee for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, ASTHO. He sat on the National Vaccine Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for several years before an appointment to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Further, Dr. Smith has published more than 25 scientific papers with the majority citing infectious disease studies. It is clear that Dr. Smith's passion for service and selfless dedication to public health has brought tremendous value to Arkansas, its institutions, and, most importantly, its 3 million citizens. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is one such institution that will undoubtedly feel Dr. Smith's absence, as he has held several academic appointments alongside his career at the Arkansas Department of Health. What began as a voluntary position in 2009 became a mainstay endeavor for Dr. Smith. He has since held several professorships at the university in the division of infectious diseases and the epidemiology department. When Dr. Smith is not teaching, working or spending time with his family of five, he can be found donating his time and service to St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Little Rock, where he works with the leadership team and missions team. His robust professional and community impact have earned him the following awards: the Arkansas AIDS Foundation's Compassion Award, the Arkansas Public Health Association's Director's Award for Science, and the Living and Affected Corporation's Distinguished Service Award. I want to graciously thank Dr. Smith for his tireless commitment to improving the health and wellness of Arkansans. I appreciate his friendship and example for us all as a true public servant. His transition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is bittersweet, and we are full of gratitude and pride for Dr. Smith and his dedication to our State over the past two decades.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today in support of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. Congress has a constitutional duty under article I, section 8, to provide for the common defense, and the NDAA is one of the key tools that we have to ensure that the United States is capable of defending ourselves and our interests. This is, hopefully, the 60th consecutive year that Congress will pass the NDAA. In a time of intense partisanship and national division, it is a true testament to the significance of this responsibility and the fact that we have been able to come together in support of the U.S. military for decades, even when the spirit of bipartisanship and compromise is elusive in many other areas. We all want to ensure that America's servicemembers have the tools and resources they need to perform their duty and to protect our Nation. As we are all aware, threats against the United States, our allies, and interests persist. At a time of increasing risk and dangerous challenges to global security, the United States must lead in creating stability through a strong and modernized military. Peace through strength is a proven concept that reinforces American deterrence and produces greater global security. That is why it is so important to, yet again, come together and advance this important bill, the NDAA. We need to strengthen our military posture, enact policies that encourage deterrence, project leadership, and deploy innovative strategies to maximize advantages that serve our national security, reassure our allies, and help defend our freedoms and ideals at home and abroad. The fiscal year 2021 NDAA does this by strengthening American deterrence through investing in greater capabilities in support of priorities listed in the national defense strategy and ensuring America's servicemembers are ready so, when challenged, they will prevail in any conflict. This NDAA maintains readiness gains made over the previous years, while making significant investments in modernization and enhancing resources to better support and care for servicemembers and their families. It provides a 3-percent pay raise for our troops and reemphasizes a focus on training to ensure that our servicemembers can conduct missions safely. It also serves the interests of our military at a time when they need vital support and assistance. I am especially pleased that the legislation continues a push I have made related to military spousal employment and also provides another step in the right direction to ensure servicemembers' families have options for high-quality and accessible childcare. The continued commitment to reforms in the military's privatized housing and health systems reflected in this legislation are also wins for our servicemembers and their loved ones. Additionally, this year's NDAA goes further to increase manning levels in order to better support the demand for our forces around the world. I am pleased this bill includes a few of my priorities aimed at supporting our deployed servicemembers in the State of Arkansas. After my recent oversight visit to Iraq, I worked to ensure that the Army has a plan to evaluate and deploy all resources to protect our servicemembers in the theater from any kind of attack. Some of this capability is also built in my home State. I thank my colleagues for including my measure, which I believe will bring many benefits to our warfighters in the defense industry in Arkansas. Additionally, after meeting with leaders from the 188th Air Wing at Fort Smith, it was clear to me that our servicemembers need more support when it comes to options for childcare and assistance. That is why I have worked on a provision to direct the Department of Defense to research, report, and provide recommendations to Congress on how to provide 24-hour childcare to military families who are assigned to around-the-clock rotational units at home. I welcome the inclusion of this initiative in this year's NDAA and am grateful to the Armed Services Committee, which also recognizes its real and urgent need for our military families. I have also filed an amendment to this year's NDAA focused on meeting the needs of our servicemembers who are undergoing routine quarantines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our servicemembers are required to quarantine when they are relocated to another military installation, leaving them with days to weeks of inactivity and isolation. My amendment requires the Department of Defense to develop measures to ensure personal and professional development of our servicemembers while in quarantine, including physical activity and educational resources. Defending our Nation, allies, and interests means providing the Department of Defense with the tools and authorities it needs to carry out that mission. This is the Federal Government's most basic function and responsibility. It is important to get this work done in a bipartisan way and with broad agreement. My colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Reed, have provided a great example in sending this bill out of committee with an overwhelming vote of support. Their work has helped to ensure that the fiscal year 2021 NDAA establishes and builds on policies that strengthen the ability of the United States to safeguard the Nation and provide the support and assistance that our allies have come to depend on. Doing so helps make us and the rest of the world safer. The fiscal year 2021 NDAA supports the national defense strategy, our servicemembers, and the broader military community. It deserves wide support in this body, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in approving the NDAA and building on the U.S. legacy of unmatched military leadership, capability, and superiority. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Carolyn Ashcraft on her retirement as State librarian and director of the Arkansas State Library after 15 years of transformative leadership. Carolyn has a dedication to the State of Arkansas and a passion for books, and her departure from a career that blended the two will leave a significant void in Arkansas' library community. Her enthusiasm for libraries has been evident since childhood, leading to an invitation to serve as a student library aide in sixth grade. She went on to serve in a similar position at the university level while earning her degree in English at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. She continued her education at the University of Alabama, where she earned a master's degree in library science. In 1981, Carolyn launched her professional career at the Grant County Library and next served as director at the Saline County Library. She held this position until she started with the Arkansas State Library in 1993, where she served in various positions, including deputy director in the library development unit before being selected as State librarian in 2005. Carolyn's career and the accomplishments of the Arkansas library system during her tenure as State librarian testify to her dedication and influential direction. Under her guidance, our libraries adapted emerging technologies. She helped facilitate the transition to digitization, expanding digital programs such as the Traveler Statewide Digital Resource Program and establishing the Arkansas Digital Library Consortium in 2018. She also oversaw the relocation of the agency and its collection of books, State and Federal documents, Library for the Blind materials, and other documents. Carolyn is known for having an unrivaled and encompassing knowledge of libraries, as evidenced by her involvement in both State and national professional library associations. The list of such organizations is lengthy and includes the Arkansas Library Association, American Library Association, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, and Chief Officers of State Library Agencies. I thank Carolyn for her contributions to Arkansas during her career of dedicated service, guidance, and support of our public libraries and library services. She will be missed, but I am confident she will enjoy her time in retirement.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the career of U.S. Air National Guard CMSgt. Del G. Atkinson, who is retiring after almost 40 years of faithful service to our country. Chief Atkinson entered Federal Active-Duty service in the U.S. Army in August 1982. He was stationed in Nuremburg, West Germany, with the 595th Military Police Company, First Armored Division ``Old Ironsides'' and the 101st Airborne Division ``Screaming Eagles'' with the 101st Military Police Company Fort Campbell, KY. Upon completion of his Army service, he entered into the Air National Guard. During his lengthy career in the Guard, Chief Atkinson served a number of combat deployments, including Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Coronet Oak. Chief Atkinson used his experience in the Army to launch a career in law enforcement, working as a member of the University of Arkansas Police Department and the Springdale, AR, Police Department. Over the course of almost 36 years, his military service took him around the globe, and yet, whether it was in Arkansas, our Nation's Capital, or overseas, he and I always seemed to be crossing paths. A number of those occasions were more than just fortunate circumstances, as for a time, he was part of a team responsible for providing protection for aircraft transitioning between overseas airfields with inadequate security. He often found himself assigned to Senate, congressional, and White House missions. I was privileged to have been onboard for some of those flights. My colleagues and I relied on Del and his teammates, for our protection as we traveled to some dangerous parts of the world. On those trips, I remember looking back on his time in local law enforcement and thinking to myself how special it was that northwest Arkansas had extra representation onboard. Del and his colleagues took great care of us, each and every time, and for that, I will always be appreciative. Chief Atkinson was promoted eight times during the course of his military career. He earned a number of prestigious awards and medals including a Meritorious Service Medal with three oakleaf clusters and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. His pride in our Nation and his fellow servicemembers is apparent, including with his service as a member of the Liberty Jump Team, where he performed commemorative parachute jumps honoring veterans of wars and foreign conflicts. He joined the team because he ``wanted to give back to the Greatest Generation'' and honor how they ``overcame all obstacles and persevered to win the victory on all fronts.'' I remain grateful for Del's combat service to the Nation, dedication to keeping the UA campus and the community of Springdale safe during his law enforcement days, and commitment to keep alive the memory of those who sacrificed for our Nation. I wish him years of joy and happiness in retirement.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Springdale Public School District superintendent Dr. Jim Rollins who will step down from his position at the end of June after decades of dedication to students, staff, and the community. He has spent his career improving education and scholastic opportunities for students for more than 39 years as superintendent. His dedication and passion for education grew in his years as a science teacher in North Little Rock. At the same time, he continued to pursue advanced degrees in education at the University of Arkansas. He knew he wanted to help better the lives of students. During his tenure as superintendent in Springdale, he oversaw tremendous growth in the district. Enrollment has increased from 5,000 students in 1980 to more than 23,000 students today. He rose to meet the challenges of the flourishing student population by supporting the construction of 22 schools and implementing innovative measures to provide the diverse student population tools to succeed. Dr. Rollins has always made students a priority and emphasized this to teachers and staff with his motto ``We Teach Them All.'' He has distinguished himself as a key voice in education at the local, State, and national level and has received many well-deserved honors for his work. The achievements he has accrued during his 50-year career in public education include twice being named Arkansas Superintendent of the Year and recognition as one of Education Week magazine's 2017 ``Leaders to Learn From.'' Just recently, Dr. Rollins was awarded the 2020 Outstanding Alumnus Award in Education from the College of Education and Health Professionals at the University of Arkansas. His service as Arkansas' representative on the U.S. Department of Education's Superintendents Task Force is further evidence of his expertise and the high regard his peers and fellow educators hold for him. I congratulate Dr. Rollins for his outstanding track record of ensuring students have a solid educational foundation to help them succeed in the future. I appreciate his friendship and his excellent leadership which has resulted in academic improvement and growth for countless students. I wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career as president of Northwest Technical Institute.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, I rise today to recognize the National Police Week in honor of the men and women who serve and protect our communities. The individuals called to uphold the rule of law do so in times of crisis, and they serve their families, friends, and neighbors at a moment's notice. They are selfless public servants who courageously face danger head-on. Law enforcement officers respond to calls for help while not knowing what challenges they will face. We are in a unique time right now and experiencing unprecedented challenges in our country. Law enforcement officers are working to protect citizens while also safeguarding themselves against the unseen enemy of COVID-19. The disease has forced departments in Arkansas and all over the country to change protocols in order to prevent the spread of the disease, but that hasn't stopped the resolve, the determination, and the passion of officers to defend the community. Despite this new challenge, they continue to serve with the same level of professionalism and integrity. We are working to provide departments and agencies with additional resources to safeguard these public safety officers. I am pleased the Department of Justice recently awarded Arkansas near $7 million so we can better serve the safety needs of officers in the State and get them personal protective equipment--gloves, masks, and sanitizer--that they need in order to perform their job safely. This funding is vital as the calls for assistance keep coming and police officers continue to respond to these emergencies. I want to thank our law enforcement officers for their bravery today and always. It takes a special person to put their life on the line every day to protect our communities. We are fortunate to have some of the very best in Arkansas. National Police Week is a time that we honor the sacrifices of individuals who selflessly serve their community and give their lives, if necessary, while in the line of duty. We preserve their legacies by adding their names to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, to serve as a reminder of their sacrifices. This year, the names of 307 fallen officers will be added to the memorial, including five Arkansans. The names of Game Warden Ollie Mitts, Deputy Sheriff George Rogers, Deputy Sheriff Ulyss Baldwin, Fayetteville Police Officer Stephen Carr, and Stone County Sergeant Michael Stephen, Sr. are new to the memorial. We will remember forever them as heroes. I am a proud cosponsor of the Senate resolution marking National Police Week because we must always remember the brave officers whose lives were cut short because of their public duty and recognize those who continue to selfishly serve to keep us safe. I am proud to honor the individuals who are called to serve and protect and will advocate for policies that provide our communities and officers with the resources they need to protect themselves. Thank you to the officers in Arkansas and those all across the country for upholding the law, protecting the community, and saving lives. I suggest the absence of a quorum.