Mike Crapo

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, along with my colleagues Senator Jim Risch, Representative Mike Simpson and Representative Russ Fulcher, I congratulate Glen Tait, who is retiring from his position as Idaho National Laboratory's--INL--Governmental Affairs Director, after nearly 20 years with INL. Prior to joining INL in 2001, Glen served as my legislative director when I was first elected to the Senate. During his time guiding my legislative staff, he worked on annual appropriations, nuclear, and other energy issues. He brought with him significant experience and understanding of our great State of Idaho, as he had previously worked as a senior adviser to my predecessor, Dirk Kempthorne. Prior to serving on my staff, Glen's first job in Washington, DC, was working for Vice President Dan Quayle. He served on the Vice President's national security staff as a congressional liaison. When announcing Glen's retirement, INL Director Mark Peters recognized Glen's excellent leadership as he has worked with our Idaho congressional delegation ``throughout the annual appropriations process, securing the participation of INL experts in congressional hearings, and working with Congress and federal agencies to advance legislation and policies important to our energy and national security.'' Glen has been instrumental in helping us ensure the allocation of needed resources to INL and assisting with Federal policy changes to best support nuclear innovation. For example, we have greatly valued his assistance with the 2018 enactment of S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, and the 2019 enactments of S. 512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, and S. 174, the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act. These laws are important legacies of Glen's work, as they will ensure the research conducted at INL keeps our Nation at the forefront of nuclear innovation. These measures are a nice capstone to his years of service and dedication to INL and nuclear energy, ensuring that research into advanced nuclear reactors continues and that research is ultimately able to be commercialized and deployed in the private sector. Glen is dedicated and talented in many aspects of his life beyond his work. He speaks Russian, is an avid gardener, bikes to work, and runs daily. He is a big sports fan, with the Washington Nationals and the California Golden Bears being among his favorite teams to watch. Glen is also very generous with people and cares greatly about helping young people get solid footing in Washington, DC. He is well regarded for his guidance and mentorship, as he has helped newcomers with job and life skills. He has taught many of our staff the ins-and-outs of the lab's research and the science behind it. His patience and guidance are deeply appreciated by many who were fortunate enough to work with him. Glen, may retirement afford you many runs on the beach and great times with your loved ones, including your wife, Jeannette, and daughters, Lindsey Marie and Hailey Madison. Congratulations on an outstanding 30-year career. We will miss your wit and intellect, and thank you for sharing your talents with Idahoans all these years. We wish you all the best in your retirement.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, today I honor J. Kirk Sullivan, who had a long-time, distinguished career in principal Idaho industries and politics. Kirk was born and raised in Greenwood, SC. His alma mater is Clemson University, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Throughout his life, Kirk continued to support Clemson along with other educational institutions, especially in Idaho. As he began his career, Kirk went to work for FMC Corporation in South Charleston, WV, and met his wife, Betty. Over their 59 years of marriage, the couple had two children, Hal and Kim, and three grandchildren, Matthew, Adam, and Sara. In 1965, Kirk and Betty moved to Pocatello. Kirk's obituary reads, ``Kirk had a deep love for the State of Idaho and chose to make this place his home for 50 years.'' After the Sullivans moved to New York for a 1-year FMC work opportunity, they thankfully returned to Idaho, where Kirk went to work in Boise for Boise Cascade Company. In 1998, Kirk retired as the vice president of governmental and environmental affairs, after a 28- year career with the company. Kirk in no way was idle in retirement. In 1999, he cofounded consulting firm Veritas Advisors, and he served as chairman of the Idaho Republican Party from 2004-2008. In addition to his remarkable career, Kirk's obituary reads, ``Kirk shared his treasure and talents with countless non-profits, state-appointed boards, and political organizations. Dozens of those organizations have honored his work for them and those accolades will always be cherished by his children and grandchildren. He humbly loved knowing he was contributing to others' lives.'' Kirk's passing in early April came at an especially challenging time, as families have had to postpone memorials in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. I extend my deep condolences and prayers to Betty, their family, and friends. Kirk is described in his obituary first as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Additionally, Kirk was a pillar of Idaho industry and politics, thought-leader, and friend, who no doubt boosted and inspired countless budding leaders and efforts throughout our great State.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, today I honor Fred Kelly Grant. In March, our Nation unfortunately lost a reasoned, dedicated, and outstanding advocate for locally driven decision-making. However, Fred leaves a lasting remembrance in the extraordinarily positive impact he had on so many people. Fred, who was born in South Carolina and grew up in Idaho, earned a degree in history at the College of Idaho before earning his law degree at the University of Chicago Law School. His early career included serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Baltimore from 1963-1965. He then served as Assistant State's Attorney for Baltimore City, where he was appointed chief of the organized crime division. He then practiced criminal law in private practice before returning to Idaho and serving as counsel for two former Idaho Governors, Cecil Andrus and John Evans. He also served as law clerk for Judge Edward J. Lodge from 1975-1980, and he provided legal, political assistance to local governments, businesses, and individuals throughout his career. Further, Fred served on multiple commissions, authored books, and led organizations. This includes him helping to start the Stand and Fight Club focused on preventing regulatory agencies from doing economic harm to rural America. Countless people all around the country were influenced and helped by Fred. Fred was a long-time Idaho lawyer, but his influence and know-how reached far beyond our Idaho borders. In a 2017 Washington Times Article, Fred was aptly characterized as an ``unsung hero of rural America.'' He gave needed weight to requiring the Federal Government to coordinate with localities when implementing new rules. He emphasized local policy and local plans as drivers of the economy. Fred championed this effort in Idaho and nationally, extending important information and experience to other local governments across the nation. In so doing, he advanced the ideal of those closest to the land rightly driving natural resources and environmental solutions. This emphasis on locally driven, collaborative land management decisions was the central focus of the Owyhee Initiative. Fred masterfully provided local leadership at a critical time in the history--and future--of Owyhee County. The Owyhee Initiative, ushered into law through the hard work and strength of purpose of Fred and other Owyhee Initiative partners, maintains a thoughtful balance of multiple uses required for the betterment of an amazing part of our great state and country. The collaborative efforts furthered in the Owyhee Initiative remain an example of the great achievements that are possible when we all come to the table and work through the differences to find the common ground. My staff and I knew him best during the many years of sustained effort on the Owyhee Initiative, yet we are aware that his life reached many people well beyond that important work. Many have shared messages describing Fred. The tributes share words in common: perseverance, remarkable intelligence, created lasting friendships, wisdom, deeply caring, empathetic, perceptive, quick wit, and love. All of these characteristics and more are but a start in describing Fred. For me, perhaps the sense of personal respect and understanding I had for Fred are what seem most powerful. The previously mentioned Washington Times article from three years ago, included a quote from Fred stating, ``I'm tempted all the time to retire . . . But, I truly believe in this nation and I think there are too few people who understand and believe in the core principle of the federal republic, and if we lose that, I believe we lose what makes the Constitution the most perfect instrument of government that's ever been created.'' He lived this and left a lasting charge for all of us never to let up in smartly pushing back against Federal supersession of local decision- making. I extend my deepest sympathy to Fred's widow, Carol, and all of Fred's family and friends. We all miss Fred and are grateful for his life, legacy and friendship.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to urge my colleagues to confirm Brian Montgomery as the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Mr. Montgomery is among the most respected voices in the housing market, as well as one of the most experienced. His breadth of experience includes service as the head of the Federal Housing Administration--or FHA--during the Bush administration, the Obama administration, and the Trump administration. Mr. Montgomery guided FHA through the 2008 financial crisis and has provided steadfast leadership at the FHA through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, arguably the two most turbulent times for the housing market in a generation. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, he oversaw the return of FHA's insurance fund to its strongest financial position since fiscal year 2007, while continuing to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to tens of thousands of first-time homebuyers each year. Since the outbreak, he has worked to make sure that FHA performs its traditional countercyclical role of maintaining liquidity and credit access in the mortgage market where traditional sources of home financing may have dried up. For over a year now, Mr. Montgomery has also served in the capacity of Acting Deputy Secretary at HUD, where he has managed the day-to-day operations of the Department under Secretary Ben Carson. Mr. Montgomery knows the Department inside and out and has been intimately involved in carrying out HUD's mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable housing opportunities for millions of Americans. He has been described by the National Multifamily Housing Council as ``a housing policy veteran with deep expertise and experience across a wide variety of policy areas.'' The National Association of Homebuilders has noted that ``throughout his government and private sector career, Brian has proven himself to be both an expert in affordable housing policy, as well as an outstanding Federal agency administrator and communicator.'' This confirmation vote comes at a critical time. In the wake of COVID-19, we have already seen a huge number of mortgage borrowers enter forbearance, while many landlords are struggling to make ends meet, and countless renters are unsure where their next rent payment will come from. Homeless shelters are at or near capacity and facing novel issues related to social distancing, and the homeless community, who may be particularly exposed to the risk of contracting COVID-19, is leaning on HUD for help. HUD has a central role to play in addressing these challenges and more. The CARES Act acknowledges this important role, entrusting HUD with over $12 billion in additional funding to provide immediate relief and to address emerging issues. Bold leadership is especially needed during this critical time for HUD, and Mr. Montgomery is a trusted voice who fits the mold perfectly. Fifteen years ago, this body confirmed Mr. Montgomery on a voice vote to serve as FHA Commissioner. Two years ago, we confirmed him as FHA Commissioner, again, on a strong bipartisan vote of 74-23. I support Brian Montgomery, and I urge my colleagues to join me today in voting ``yes'' on his nomination. Thank you. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. Chief Justice, I send a question to the desk on behalf of myself and Senators Risch, Graham, Ernst, Fischer, Cruz, and Perdue.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. Chief Justice, on behalf of myself and Senators Risch, Cruz, Graham, Braun, Moran, and Boozman, I send a question to the desk for the counsel for the President.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, along with my colleagues Senator James E. Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, I congratulate the city of Idaho Falls and Bonneville County on the preservation of the historic Hotel Bonneville. The Bonneville County Heritage Association provided historical background about the area and the original naming and purpose of the hotel that has stood in Idaho Falls for nearly a century. The association notes this remarkable structure was named for Captain Bonneville, who led an expedition from 1832 to 1834 through the vast country between the Missouri and Columbia Rivers. Idaho later became part of the United States through the Oregon Treaty in 1846. Then, on March 4, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill establishing the Idaho Territory, and Idaho became the 43rd State on July 3, 1890. Further, the Bonneville County Heritage Association explained that on February 7, 1911, Governor James Henry Hawley put an end to a fight for county division by signing a bill designating Bonneville County and naming Idaho Falls the county seat. The Bonneville County Heritage Association found a May 1927 Times Register article providing an account of the historical significance of the Hotel Bonneville in Idaho Falls at the time of its construction that states the hotel ``is the result of the desire on the part of a number of the people of Idaho Falls, and community, to have the use of a strictly first class hotel, with adequate accommodations and quality of service which would enable Idaho Falls, as a community, to invite public gatherings and conventions and to be prepared to take care of them in a way and manner, which would reflect on the community.'' The name Hotel Bonneville was selected for the original hotel to honor the founder of this part of the country, and the hotel opened its doors for business on June 1, 1927. The Bonneville Hotel has recently undergone extensive renovations transforming it into an affordable housing complex that includes retail space. We commend the visionaries and partners who came together to provide a new life for this local landmark. A plaque at the building notes the original Hotel Bonneville was built by 481 citizens. Through the leadership of Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper, the Idaho Falls City Council, the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency, and the hard work and vison of many Idahoans, the renewal of this landmark honors the founders of the county and those who worked to build and renovate the hotel and preserves this historic building for generations to come. Congratulations on this local transformation.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I honor Idaho veteran Conrad Jeffries for his service to our nation and for his efforts to address alarmingly high suicide rates in our country, especially among our Nation's veterans and servicemembers. Conrad knows firsthand the personal costs of military service and the challenges servicemembers face returning to civilian life, and he has dedicated considerably of his time, talents, and resources to serving our country and helping his fellow veterans and military families. On January 12, Conrad Jeffries embarked on a more-than 200 mile run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to raise awareness about rising suicide rates among veterans, Active-Duty servicemembers, and first responders. I understand his running route is intended to honor three sailors who committed suicide aboard the U.S.S. George H.W. Bush in September and promote the use of suicide screening forms to identify the root causes of and prevent veteran suicides. Conrad has said, ``Veteran suicide is not the problem. Veteran suicide is the outcome.'' Conrad has admittedly faced his own personal struggles and has since dedicated his life to solving veteran suicide. This includes working to help others who struggle with mental health and substance abuse. Conrad, who was raised in American Falls and lives in Boise, ID, served our Nation for 13 years in the Idaho Army National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard. His service included deployment with the 116th Combat Brigade and attachment to Joint Special Operations where he conducted personal security detachment missions as a convoy commander. In 2013, Conrad earned Idaho's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award. I commend Conrad Jeffries for his extraordinary commitment to helping others through his actions to end suicide. His candid sharing of his experiences and empathy on the topic is instrumental as work continues to combat veteran suicide. Suicide prevention, specifically within the veteran community, has been one of my priorities in Congress. I co-led in the introduction of S. 1594, the Show Esteem and Respect for Veterans by Increasing Care and Equity, SERVICE, Act to address the alarmingly high veteran suicide rates by allowing veterans open access to mental healthcare at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. I also joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in asking the U.S. Department of Defense, DOD, to look for and explain any gaps in addressing the alarmingly high rates of suicide in the National Guard. Many well-intended people identify a problem, want to fix it, but get bogged down trying. Others, like Conrad, just face the obstacles, plow ahead, work hard, and literally ``run'' to fix it. I wish Conrad well and thank him for his efforts on behalf of his fellow veterans, military families, and all Americans to end veteran suicide.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, along with my colleagues Senator James Risch, Representative Mike Simpson, and Representative Russ Fulcher, I pay tribute to Idahoan Bill Lowry, who was deeply respected among his peers and beyond, having earned a wonderful reputation with hard work and integrity. His wisdom, good will, and stature helped inspire the development of the Owyhee Initiative, which we expect to help secure the future of ranching families and the culture of Owyhee County. The following is Bill's obituary honoring the life of this great American: ``William `Bill' Anson Lowry was born June 6, 1921 to Charles and Sally Lowry joining a sister, Hazel in Bend, Oregon. He was later joined by 3 brothers (Bob, Al, and Richard) and 7 more sisters (Effa, Gladys, Rhonda, Alta, Dorothy, Betty Jean, and Peggy). The family lived in Prineville, Oregon where Bill began school. They moved a couple times but landed back in Prineville where Bill graduated from the 8th grade. After his 8th grade graduation, he began working for the Stearns Cattle Company of Prineville. His Army discharge report listed his civilian occupation as `cowpuncher'. Bill always had a lot of respect for the Stearns family and they became his second family. It was there that he met the love of his life, Vernita `Nita' Hein, who was working in the cookhouse. In 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Bill was drafted into the United States Army. However, his induction was pushed back because of the flood of boys enlisting. Bill always wanted to honor the boys who quit school and rushed to enlist, describing many of them as being too young to shave. He related his experience and desire to honor these young men to Idaho State Representative Christy Zito at a meeting in Pleasant Valley. Christy then told his story to her friend, Brian Arnold, who composed a poem entitled Too Young to Shave. Through the good work of the Idaho Chapter of Dream Catchers, the poem is now engraved on a marble plaque and displayed in the Warhawk Museum in Nampa, Idaho, fulfilling his dream of honoring these young men. While on leave from his time in the Army Corps of Engineers, he married Nita on July 31, 1945. He was discharged in November of the same year and the young couple returned to Bill's job on the Stearns ranch. The couple began to save their money to realize their dream of owning their own ranch. They worked hard, lived simply, and saved every penny they could even with the addition of their sons, Tim and Mike. Eventually they were able to lease a couple of ranches, later purchasing a ranch in Pleasant Valley, Idaho in 1965. One of Bill's greatest joys in life was working on his ranch and with his Hereford cattle. His love (some would say obsession) for Hereford cattle came from his years of working for the Stearns and with their reputation commercial and registered Hereford cattle. His passions were family, Hereford cattle, thoroughbred saddle horses, conservative politics, education, and unwavering patriotism. Bill is survived by his sons and their families, Tim (Rosa Maria) and Mike (Gaylene); 10 siblings; 5 grandkids--Mirren Lowry, Amaya (Jim) O'Connor, Luke Lowry, Micki (Kevin) Golden, and Melissa (Cody) Bullock; and 9 great- grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Sally Lowry; oldest sister, Hazel; and wife, Nita. His family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff and residents of Grace Assisted Living in Nampa and the First Choice Hospice caregivers for their kindness to and care of Bill. He was grateful for all of you!'' The poem titled ``Too Young to Shave'' by Brian Arnold that was inspired by Bill and referenced in his obituary follows: ``His body was gnarled and twisted, like a wind-blown juniper tree He'd seen the sunrise and seen the sun set more times than two of me. Hobbling from his truck using two canes, so I stopped and held the door He said, `I'm here for the Town Hall meetin'. Is that what you're here for?' I wondered aloud why a ninety-year-old man even cared about civic affairs He said, `Let me tell you a story.' So I grabbed a couple of chairs. `When Pearl Harbor was bombed a bunch of us boys all went into town to join up From the farms and ranches, and some from in town, we had an enemy to whup. They took down our names and gave us a number, then said they'd give us a call So many young fellers were signing up that they couldn't process them all. Was a whole lot of youngsters standin in line, see they was lyin about their age All ready to die for our country, while still too young to shave. It took a few months before they got to us all, `cause so many wanted to go I was an infantryman in the Army, a regular G.I. Joe. Saw many a good man die over there, it was a special kind of hell We were all just tryin to do our part, for some it didn't work out well. Most are buried in those foreign lands, they never did come home They gave their all for freedom, across the briny foam. That war's long over and there's been some since, but I can never forget True comrades that I fought alongside, as they placed their final bet. So that's why I'm here, just to make sure, that as long as our proud flag waves I do my damndest to honor, those men too young to shave.' '' Bill was a blessing to his family and the community in which he lived, and he will be long-remembered with great affection and respect. We are all saddened by Bill's passing yet grateful for his life and legacy.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, reserving the right to object.

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I think the record really needs to be set straight. The picture that is being painted here is that the Republicans or President Trump or both don't care about the fact that Russia is and has been trying to interfere in our elections and that, for some reason, our refusal to allow this specific act to move forward until it is fixed is evidence of that. In support of that, he said that there is no penalty on the Russians because of their actions. I will remind my colleagues that I am the chairman of the committee that has jurisdiction over economic sanctions. On this floor, last Congress, we had this very debate. I was making the case then that we needed a broad, strong sanctions law against Russia for its election interference and not only for its election interference but also for its invasion of Crimea and for its cyber security attacks on the United States. What happened then? We passed what I believe is probably the strongest, most extensive legislation putting into effect sanctions on Russia for election interference, for cyber security violations, for invasion of Crimea, and other malign conduct. Under that legislation, the administration has been active. I want to read you just a little--I think that President Trump has probably put more sanctions on the Russians than any other President in our history. The Treasury's Russia sanctions program is among the most active of the sanctions programs that the United States has. This administration has sanctioned 335 Russian-related individuals and entities, 317 of which were sanctioned under Treasury authority. By the way, the bill I referred to has an acronym. It is the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA. That is the legislation that the administration is using to deter Russian election interference and other activities in addition to other malign conduct. Now, I want to state again, as my colleague knows, I agree and have agreed that we can work on further legislation, but we need to get it right because economic sanctions legislation is a two-edged sword. It hurts the United States and our allies often as much as it hurts the entities sanctioned, and because of that, we have to have the ability to be flexible in when to apply, how to apply, and how to adjust the impact of our sanctions; otherwise, we will see that we will do more damage to ourselves and our allies than to Russia. By the way, we don't just need legislation dealing with Russia. We need legislation dealing with the same types of activities from Iran and China and North Korea, to name just a few of the others. We need to do it with the appropriate mechanisms. The mechanisms in this bill have been designed more to attack the Trump administration and Republicans than to attack the Russians and those who would attack our country and our elections. I have said again and again and again that if we can fix the mechanisms so that they will work effectively to work against our enemies and protect America and our allies, as our current sanctions regimes do, then we can move forward with legislation that will even enhance what we did in CAATSA. I will also remind my colleague that in addition to CAATSA, one of the reasons we have been so active in the United States is that we have passed significant additional legislation. I remind my colleagues and everyone that in addition to CAATSA and the already existing IEEPA legislation, which are very broad and powerful international emergency economic authorities that have previously existed in the United States to help our administrations push back against malign conduct from our enemies, we have also passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act. I referenced Crimea earlier. We have passed the Magnitsky Act. President Obama, President Trump, and I believe President Bush, before them, have issued significant Executive orders on their own with their Executive order authority to expand sanctioning authority. To create the picture that there is no deterrent is false. To create the picture that the Trump administration is trying to turn a blind eye to Russia's malign conduct is false. To create the picture that the Republicans, because they want to get a mechanism that works properly, are therefore willing to turn a blind eye to Russia is false. When we can finally stop trying to play politics with this issue, when we can stop trying to make it anti-Trump or anti-Republican or make politics out of the problems that Russia truly is creating for us, maybe we can come together and pass yet another strong piece of legislation to move forward--but not as long as it is done with mechanisms and with lack of flexibility that actually undermine our own economic security and our system in applying the sanctions. Because of that, I object.

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, not to belabor the point, but I just want to respond briefly. Yes, there are Republicans and Democrats on this bill, but many of the Members who are on this bill have told me they are ready and willing to amend and make it work. I have offered and have tried now for months to get that done. I am willing to continue trying to improve and strengthen this bill, but the notion that this is just somehow trying to protect the President from having to make tough choices is simply false. I will read today--as has been indicated, we have leaders from Russia in America today, and in response to that, our Secretary of State Pompeo said: The Trump administration will always work to protect the integrity of our elections, period. . . . Should Russia or any foreign actor take steps to undermine our Democratic processes, we will take action in response. All of the authorities in this legislation we are debating right now exists already under CAATSA. I guess the argument is that President Trump will not use them. Well, the reality is he will. Secondly, I have indicated my willingness to work on this legislation. Rather than continuing to stand on the floor and debate why we like or don't like what President Trump is doing, I think we ought to get down to the serious business of legislating. I yield the floor.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, I congratulate Jay Hildebrandt, who is retiring after more than four decades in news reporting. Jay has worked for KIFI's Local News 8 in Idaho Falls for the past 35 years. As an anchor for the weeknight news, Jay is known for his calm, gentle demeanor and steady role delivering the news. Originally, from Milwaukee, WI, Jay earned a degree in communications from Brigham Young University. Before anchoring for our local news, he anchored in Twin Falls and Fort Wayne, IN. Thankfully, he then returned to Idaho, where we have been blessed with Jay's reliable, professional and compassionate reporting all these years. His positive influence can be felt throughout our community. Jay has made a difference in many lives through his involvement in impactful projects and community and statewide efforts. In addition to anchoring the weeknight news, Jay produced the weekly ``Wednesday's Child'' reports for 28 years. Through this project, he has helped elevate the stories of area children in need of adoptive homes. He also highlighted the hard work of remarkable high school seniors in his ``Distinguished Student'' series. Additionally, Jay has served as an adjunct instructor at Brigham Young University Idaho and helped lead important efforts, including his service on the Governor's Children's Trust Fund Board, the Region VII Health and Welfare Advisory Board, and the Safe Place Advisory Board. While most of us enjoyed Jay over the years on the television, there are those who have been able to work with him personally. And without exception, he is admired, emulated and respected by his coworkers. One of those fortunate individuals is my current chief of staff in DC, Susan Hawkes Wheeler. She got her start just out of college working for Jay at KIFI in the mid-1980s, when Jay was already becoming the institution that he remains in Idaho broadcasting. His gentle leadership and kind demeanor did much to stabilize a work place that can be very chaotic as news develops, even in small town news stations. He was a patient teacher, an insightful editor, and a delightful storyteller, clearly evidenced by his enjoyment of some of the special projects he undertook like the aforementioned ``Wednesday's Child.'' My office benefits every day from lessons Susan learned through Jay's leadership, and I am grateful for those. In an article about his retirement, his co-anchor of 30 years, Karole Honas, used the words ``solid,'' ``steady,'' ``kind,'' and ``positive'' to describe Jay. Professionalism, hard work, compassion, and optimism are his hallmarks. Thank you, Jay, for your outstanding reporting all these years and for working to highlight the needs and the great achievements in our community. While your reassuring and thoughtful presence on our local news will no doubt be deeply missed, the caring standard you have set will be ever-present. Congratulations on your exemplary career. I wish you well on your well-earned retirement. May it be filled with many happy times with Sally, your children, grandchildren, and friends.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, along with my colleagues Senator James E. Risch and Representative Mike Simpson, I congratulate Mike Dettori, Fairfield District Ranger on the Sawtooth National Forest, who is retiring after 40 years of service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Mike began as District Ranger for the Fairfield Ranger District in 2004 after considerable experience in many areas for the Forest Service. In 1980, he started as a Range Management Specialist on the Kamas Ranger District of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Kamas, UT. He then went on to serve as a Rangeland Management Specialist on the Lost River Ranger District of the Challis National Forest in Mackay, ID, after graduating with a bachelor of science degree in rangeland science from the University of Nevada in 1982. He then served as an interdisciplinary rangeland management specialist for the Yankee Fork Ranger District in Clayton, ID, and rangeland management specialist for the Big Summit Ranger District in Prineville, OR, before serving as acting district ranger on both the Livingston and Big Timber Ranger Districts in Montana. He also served as forest range staff on the Gallatin National Forest and on an incident management team. Throughout his decades of Federal service, Mike has been a steady leader and sensible voice contributing to the science and management of the districts and the well-being of the staff. He has not only been an integral part of the agency, but also an important community member, as he has also given his time to serve in many community organizations. Thank you, Mike, for your service and leadership and for your contributions to the management of wonderful parts of our great State and country all these years. We wish you much happiness in your well- earned retirement.

Mr. CRAPO

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

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. I yield.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, along with my colleagues Senator James Risch, Representative Mike Simpson, and Representative Russ Fulcher, I congratulate Mark Duffin on his retirement from the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association, after serving as the association's executive director for the past more than 28 years. We have greatly valued Mark's insight and partnership on agricultural and related issues over the years. Mark has not only been an Idaho agricultural leader, but also a national agricultural leader, given the high profile of the sugarbeet industry and the crucial role Idaho plays in supplying the market. Mark has been a stalwart advocate for Idaho's sugarbeet growers and provided essential guidance on Federal policy matters impacting the industry, particularly trade, transportation and labor. From sharing the growers' perspective on multiple farm bill reauthorizations, international trade agreement negotiations, natural resource management, and much more. Mark has provided helpful perspective on Federal policy over the years. Throughout, his judicious, considerate, and experienced approach has been instrumental. His understanding of the challenges of agricultural production and appreciation for those he represents is apparent in his thoughtful advocacy. Mark grew up on a farm in southeastern Idaho and farmed with his brother before leading the association. The majority of this Idaho congressional delegation had the honor of serving with him in the Idaho State Legislature, as Mark served in the legislature from 1984-1990. Mark also served as the Power County Farm Bureau president, president of Food Producers of Idaho, and president of the University of Idaho College of Agriculture's Agricultural Consulting Council. We thank Mark for his assistance on behalf of Idahoans and the producers he has represented and wish him well on his retirement. We hope Mark enjoys his retirement, but should he find himself with some spare time, he can always find work driving trucks for his friends and neighbors in the Idaho sugarbeet industry.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I call attention to National POW/MIA Recognition Day through Senate statements, such as this, each year to try to help keep national focus on the return of American servicemembers and help their families to know that our country stands with them as work continues to find the answers they more than deserve. As we observe this National POW/MIA Day on September 20, 2019, a special tribute must be paid to the families and friends of missing servicemembers. Too often, their quiet, ceaseless, and enormous service to our Nation is overlooked. Many have carried on through years and even decades of sorrow and uncertainty. Their questions must be replaced with answers. Their loss must be softened, if possible, by resolution. Those working hard through challenging conditions to get needed answers and bring all American servicemembers home also deserve appreciation and steady encouragement. Thank you to those who work for and assist the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and related efforts. So far this month, the agency has reported accounting for more than 20 missing servicemembers, many of whom were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Korean war. Piecing together the circumstances, whereabouts and lives of those lost cannot be easy, but bringing them home is critical to honoring their service. To help with this effort, I have continually fought for the Bring Our Heroes Home Act that is meant to address obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing the records needed for recovery efforts by putting one entity in charge of prioritizing and facilitating the declassification of records related to missing servicemembers. Thank you to the members of the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. of Pocatello, ID, and other similar groups that hold rallies and other events to keep a spotlight on the immense service of our Nation's veterans and the need for an ongoing focus on bringing them all home. Bringing all of the 82,000 Americans the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency reports remain missing home will certainly not fill the losses felt in far too many American families, but those who have served our Nation deserve no less than to rest at home, and we cannot rest until they do.

Mr. CRAPO

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

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise to speak on the nomination of Governor Michelle Bowman to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the nomination of Thomas Peter Feddo as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Investment Security in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. First, I will speak about Governor Bowman. Michelle Bowman currently serves as a Governor on the Federal Reserve Board and was the first person to fill the Federal Reserve's community banking seat, after her confirmation last year by a bipartisan vote of 64 to 34. Her current term expires on January 30, 2020, and President Trump has renominated her to the same position for a full 14-year term. Prior to serving as Governor, she was the State bank commissioner of Kansas from January 2017 to November 2018. She also served as vice president of a Kansas-based community bank, Farmers & Drovers Bank, between 2010 and 2017 and served in a number of government roles. Confirming Governor Bowman to a new 14-year term will provide the needed stability on the Board. During her current term as Governor, she has played a crucial role at the Federal Reserve by providing the community banking perspective and highlighting their importance to people, households, and small businesses across this Nation, as well as the U.S. economy broadly. She has also contributed meaningfully toward appropriately tailoring regulations in accordance with S. 2155. If confirmed, I am confident her experience and skill will continue to benefit the Board in promoting the effective operation of the U.S. economy and serving the public interest. I will be voting in support of Governor Bowman and urge my colleagues to vote in support of her nomination, as well, today. Turning for a moment to another important issue regarding the Federal Reserve, I want to reinforce that maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve is of the utmost importance in this country. The recent remarks made by former New York Fed President Dudley urging the Federal Reserve to sway an election by using monetary policy are incredibly troubling. The job of the Federal Reserve is to provide this Nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system. I continue to encourage the Federal Reserve to conduct its monetary policy while remaining independent of politics.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. CRAPO

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I congratulate U.S. Marine Capt. Anneliese Satz, of Boise, ID, on her many achievements, including being the first woman to fly the F-35 fighter jet for the U.S. Marine Corps. Above all, I thank Captain Satz for her service to our Nation. In June, Captain Satz became the first female marine to complete the F-35B basic course. Before she joined the Marines, she earned her commercial pilots license flying helicopters. I understand Captain Satz has been assigned to her first operational unit: The Green Knights of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 in Iwakuni, Japan. My home State of Idaho is full of trailblazers. Among them are the women who are leaders, innovators and architects of a new reality where the ``first woman to . . .'' is rightfully becoming a descriptor of the past. Captain Satz is a courageous marine fighter jet pilot. She is also a groundbreaker who worked hard to complete her training and prepare for her service ahead. Thank you, Anneliese, for your service to our country and for your hard work and great leadership. Your preparation and diligence are commendable. You are showing young Americans and adults alike through your example of dedication and proficiency that high goals are achievable.