John Boozman

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize MG Ron Chastain for his four decades of service to the State of Arkansas and to our Nation. For 32 years, he worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency and served for the last 6 years as my Agricultural Liaison in Arkansas. He has also enjoyed a distinguished military career in the Arkansas National Guard that spanned nearly four decades. Ron was born and raised in Arkansas and graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a degree in biology in 1972. In 1974, he began his career with the USDA. He was the supervisory program specialist in Arkansas and dealt with Federal farm programs at the county, district, and State levels. He is a recipient of the USDA Service to Agriculture Award and also received recognition for his suggestions that improved the administration of Federal farm programs. At the same time, Major General Chastain was a dedicated member of the Army National Guard serving our State and Nation on weekends, evenings, and multiple overseas deployments. While in uniform, he honorably served as deputy commanding general for the Arkansas Army National Guard at the U.S. Army Forces Command, the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard, as Chief of Staff, wartime, of U.S. Forces Korea, commander of the 39th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, and commander of the 25th Rear Operations Center during Operation Desert Storm. A veteran of two wars, Major General Chastain was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and two Bronze Star medals. He has also been inducted into the distinguished Arkansas Military Veterans' Hall of Fame. In 2010, ``the General'' retired from the Arkansas Army National Guard. Shortly thereafter, I called to congratulate him on his impressive military career, and during our conversation, he said he would be happy to help me in any way he could. I knew that he could bring his unique experience and expertise to help me represent the agriculture community in Arkansas, so I asked him to join my staff. As a member of my team, Major General Chastain has been a professional and tireless advocate on behalf of Arkansas' farmers and ranchers. The Arkansas Farm Bureau recently recognized his hard work and contribution to our State's agriculture community. Ron also educated thousands of young Arkansans about the history and proper care of the U.S. and Arkansas flags during his time with my office. MG Ron Chastain dedicated his career to leading and serving others. I want to thank him for all that he has done on behalf of Arkansas, and I wish him well on his retirement. I know he will enjoy spending more time with his family and working on his farm. As a model public servant for so many years, his retirement and all the recognition he has garnered are well deserved.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam President, Senator Cotton and I would like to welcome Rabbi Barry Block and thank him for delivering the opening prayer to the Senate today. I am proud that he accepted our invitation to lead the Senate with his spiritual guidance. Rabbi Block is the leader of B'nai Israel--Arkansas's largest Jewish congregation--a position he has held since 2013. I have gotten to know Rabbi Block and his dedication to his congregants through his annual visits to Washington with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He has served Reform Judaism as a member of the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and chair of its Resolutions and Nominating Committee and as president of the Southwest Association of Reform Rabbis. Serving as the guest Chaplain is an incredible honor. Today he is joined by his sons Robert and Daniel. He wished to share this experience with his congregants as well. I enjoyed meeting yesterday with him and his confirmation students to hear about their concerns on a wide variety of social issues. I appreciate his prayer for our country and its leaders. I yield the floor.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to former Arkansas State Senator Stanley Russ of Conway, AR. Stanley Russ was born in Conway in 1930. He graduated from Conway High School in 1948 and went on to attend Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas, before earning a bachelor of science in education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Russ also served his country in multiple ways, including in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, where he completed officer candidate school. Later, he served as a company commander in the Arkansas National Guard. Russ was inducted into the U.S. Field Artillery OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Sill in 1995. Senator Russ served in the Arkansas Senate from 1975 to 2000. He was the president pro tempore from 1995 to 1997 and served as the majority leader in 1997. During his time in public office, he was known as an advocate for public, private, and higher education. Russ was named one of the Ten Outstanding State Legislators in the United States by the Assembly of State Government Employees in 1981. Four years later, he was honored for Distinguished Service by the Municipal League of Arkansas. He was elected into the Arkansas Tech University Hall of Distinction in 1994 and the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2000. Stanley Russ was a beloved public servant who devoted his life to Arkansas. He was a leader who worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and didn't care who got the credit as long as the goal was accomplished. Stanley showed kindness and consideration to everyone who approached him. I sincerely appreciate his devotion to our State and its citizens. He will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 639, H.R. 5687.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Perdue amendments be agreed to, and the bills, as amended, be considered read a third time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the measures.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar Nos. 675 through 683.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be considered read a third time and passed, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5015, which was received from the House.

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 notwithstanding the Senate's adjournment, committees be authorized to report legislative and executive matters on Tuesday, December 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 635, S. Res. 636, S. Res. 637, S. Res. 638, and S. Res. 639.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table en bloc.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 1831 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk will report the bill by title.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 6416, which was received from the House.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Moran substitute amendment be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Ernst amendment No. 5128 be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, that the title amendment No. 5129 be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of H. Con. Res. 179, which is at the desk.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time. The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the bill.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there be printed as a Senate document a compilation of materials from the Congressional Record in tribute to retiring Members of the 114th Congress, and an additional Senate document a compilation of materials from the Congressional Record in tribute to the President of the Senate, Joe Biden, and that Members have until Tuesday, December 20, to submit such tributes.