Deb Fischer

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, this amendment would strengthen community health centers across this country. In Nebraska we have 7 federally qualified health centers and 40 clinic sites that have served over 75,000 people. These centers provide quality personalized health care that women need and deserve. Last year I had the opportunity to visit one of these in Omaha, the Charles Drew Medical Clinic. I saw firsthand the comprehensive, compassionate care that they provide to Nebraskans. Many times, women are the ones who make health care decisions for their families, but with higher costs and fewer choices, ObamaCare has hurt, not helped, women in this country. They have seen their premiums go up, they have had a hard time finding the doctors that they trust, and they have had to sign up for plans that they don't like. With this amendment, we can alleviate this frustration. We can help ensure that they receive quality care in their communities surrounded by a support system. It would strengthen women's health. It would help take care of our families, our neighbors, and our friends.

Mrs. FISCHER

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 Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I rise today to offer my warmest wishes to my legislative director, Stephen Higgins, as he begins the next chapter of his truly remarkable professional career. It is a career that is characterized by unshakable dedication to the common good and supreme attention to detail. These qualities make Stephen Higgins a true professional. His service is a labor of love for our country and this institution in particular. Stephen has worked in the Senate longer than all but nine of its current Members, serving this Chamber for 23 years. Stephen still remembers his first day on payroll: March 21, 1994. He began with Senator William Cohen of Maine as a counsel on the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. There he began what would become a decades-long mission: to advance crime victims' rights. A year later, Stephen joined the office of Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, where he would distinguish himself as a committed, talented lawyer over the next 18 years, serving as chief counsel in Senator Kyl's personal office and for 14 years as chief counsel on his Judiciary Committee staff. During that time, Stephen played the lead role, supporting efforts to pass a bipartisan crime victims' rights constitutional amendment. The end result: After 8 years of hard work, a landmark statute was passed by a vote of 96 to 1. This is one of Stephen's proudest accomplishments. ``We did something significant to help crime victims,'' he said. ``We enshrined into law the rights of crime victims to be informed, present, and heard.'' To put it simply, Stephen Higgins helped humanize America's criminal justice system. This work reflects his sincere beliefs about that system. ``The criminal justice system is about seeking the truth,'' he said. ``The truth matters.'' For Stephen Higgins, the truth has always mattered. He is a man of high character and great personal integrity. These attributes made him exceptionally well-suited for work in another critical realm of the Senate: judicial nominations. ``Judges hold people's lives in their hands,'' Stephen said. ``Their decisions have life-altering consequences.'' Most recently, Stephen played a key role in the nomination of Omaha attorney Bob Rossiter to serve as U.S. district court judge for the District of Nebraska, and last year, the Senate confirmed Judge Rossiter unanimously. This was a beautiful capstone to Stephen's Senate career. He leaves the Senate now for a new position: managing director of the Human Ecology Institute at the Catholic University of America. This is an interdisciplinary research institute that will apply the rich intellectual tradition of the Catholic Church to contemporary problems in our society. As Stephen said, ``I love the Senate. The only institution I love more is the Catholic Church.'' Sounds like a match made in Heaven. As he takes his new post, I know Stephen will work like it all depends upon him and pray like it all depends upon God. I thank Stephen's wife of 18 years, Lauren, and their two children, James and Elizabeth, for loaning him to us here in the Senate, because it is a sacrifice. I know they are proud of you, Stephen, as are your parents, Joe and Shelley, and your brother, David. So, Stephen, thank you so much for all you have done for my office, for the Senate, and for the people of this country. Good luck. God bless. Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to continue my tribute to this generation of Nebraska heroes. They are the men and women who have given their lives defending our freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each one has a different story, and each Gold Star Family has the same request: that we remember the sacrifice of their loved one. By telling these stories of their service here on the Senate floor, we can honor that family's request. Sergeant Germaine Debro Mr. President, today I honor the life and service of Germaine Debro, a man who seemed destined for military service. Germaine's father, Alvin Debro, was a career Air Force technical sergeant. At a young age, Germaine even picked up a nickname: ``G.I. Joe Maine.'' Even then, family and friends saw qualities that would make Germaine a great soldier. Because of his military service, Alvin and his wife Priscilla and their three boys moved often. Germaine attended Benson High School in Omaha, NE, for a year before his family moved to Arkansas. There, Germaine graduated high school in 1991. Later, he and his family returned to Nebraska. For a time, Germaine worked as a manager at the local Burger King. In 1994, G.I. Joe Maine followed his calling and he enlisted in the Army. In 1997, he joined the Nebraska National Guard. During those years, Germaine became known for his genuine personality and for developing a great camaraderie with his fellow soldiers. According to SPC Shawn O'Neil, Germaine was the ``nicest guy you could ever meet.'' He would walk into a room and it would light up. To his battle buddies, SPC Germaine Debro was affectionately known as DB. His dedication to his fellow soldiers was obvious. Being single, Germaine volunteered for assignments so that married soldiers might remain at home with their families. Germaine deployed to Kuwait in 2001 and to Bosnia in 2002. In 2005, he learned that his unit, the 1st of the 167th Cavalry of the Nebraska Army National Guard, would deploy to Iraq. Germaine would be assigned to Troop B. Germaine's family was anxious about him deploying again, but Germaine would not let his Army brothers go without him. In the end, his family supported his decision. In explaining how his fellow soldiers felt about Germaine, SGT Josh Graft put it simply: ``He was like a Dad to all of us.'' After a year of training, the 1st of the 167th Cavalry arrived in Iraq in early 2006. That is when the Sunni-Shia civil war erupted. In February, the al-Askari mosque was bombed and Iraq was plunged ever deeper into sectarian violence. American forces had come to enforce peace; they found themselves engaged in intense wartime operations. Germaine's unit was right in the thick of it. Enemy attacks were frequent. Tensions were high. On September 4, 2006, a 20-truck convoy headed out from a site 30 miles north of Baghdad. In the United States, Americans were celebrating Labor Day with barbecues, sporting events, and family gatherings. In Iraq, Germaine was driving a humvee, providing advanced security for the convoy. Thirty miles outside of Baghdad, Germaine's humvee struck an improvised explosive device. The vehicle was spun several times before erupting into flames. SGT Josiah Warren, riding in the right seat, tried unsuccessfully to pull Germaine free. Germaine Debro died on September 4, 2006. At Iraq's Camp Anaconda, members of the Nebraska Army National Guard assembled to honor the man who had cared so deeply for them. On September 18, 2006, the Morning Star Baptist Church near downtown Omaha was filled with people paying a final tribute to Germaine Debro. Outside, 110 patriot riders stood guard. Germaine's brother, Maurice, read from a letter Germaine had written to him. In it, his brother offered some advice: ``If you don't take a risk, then you'll never know what happened.'' ``That was my brother,'' said Maurice. ``He was a loving, caring person.'' Germaine Debro was promoted posthumously to the rank of sergeant. His military decorations included a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. SGT Germaine Debro is survived by his father Alvin, his mother Priscilla, and his brothers, Alvin, Jr., and Maurice. He is a true Nebraska hero. I am honored to tell his story. I yield the floor.

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize ADM Cecil D. Haney at the conclusion of his tenure as commander of U.S. Strategic Command and on his upcoming retirement from the U.S. Navy. Admiral Haney has been an exemplary officer, and he has been an outstanding leader. Over the course of his 38-year career in the Navy, he has made countless sacrifices for our country. I commend his service and the sacrifices of his family, including his wife Bonny, his daughter Elizabeth, and his two sons, Thomas and Joey. I express our great appreciation for his leadership and devotion to our Nation's security. I first met Admiral Haney in 2013, when he was nominated to succeed General Kehler as the commander of STRATCOM. Over the past 3 years, it has been my great pleasure to work with him, and I am grateful for his wise counsel and his firm resolve to always do what is best for our Nation and for the men and women he leads. Secretary Carter has pointed out on many occasions that our nuclear forces remain the bedrock of our Nation's security, and as the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, Admiral Haney spent the last 3 years ensuring that this bedrock remained strong. Every day our Nation relies on its nuclear forces to deter strategic attack on the United States and our allies. Admiral Haney has ably led the forces that comprise our nuclear deterrent as they perform this highest priority mission. He has also been a strong advocate for the modernization of our aging nuclear infrastructure--no small task in a time of capped budgets. His ability to work closely with Members of Congress and his clear-eyed assessments--such as the statement he delivered to the Committee on Armed Services last year that ``there is no margin to absorb risk'' in our plans to modernize our nuclear enterprise--have helped maintain congressional consensus on the importance of following through with those modernization commitments. Admiral Haney has also shown strong leadership and provided valuable advocacy with respect to the other capabilities for which the command is responsible. For example, he led the effort to establish the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center, which will become a crucial command and control node, ensuring our Nation has the ability to protect and defend critical national space infrastructure. Admiral Haney's selection as commander of the U.S. Strategic Command was a fitting capstone to a career of service that never strayed far from the nuclear mission. He began his career in 1978 as a distinguished graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. Rising quickly through the Navy, he went on to command the USS Honolulu, Submarine Squadron 1, Submarine Group 2, and to become the director of the Submarine Warfare Division and the Naval Warfare Integration Group. In 2010, he became the deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command, after which he served as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In each role, Admiral Haney has set a strong example for those under his command by faithfully discharging his duties with professionalism and dedication. With nearly four decades of dedicated service to our Nation, Admiral Haney deserves our most heartfelt gratitude and praise. So I thank the admiral and wish him the best and also the best to his family. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mrs. FISCHER

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 583, S. 2360.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendment be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Chair lay before the Senate H. Con. Res. 166, which was received from the House.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I further 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 with no intervening action or debate.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2733, which is at the desk.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5946, which was received from the House.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam 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.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 579 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I further ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions, which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 600, S. Res. 601, and S. Con. Res. 55.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc.

Mrs. FISCHER

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

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam 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.

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 5944, which was received from the House.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 651, S. 2959.

Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported amendments be agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mrs. FISCHER

Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I understand there are two bills at the desk and I ask for their first reading en bloc.