Maggie Hassan

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I am honored to recognize Caitlin McGrath-Levesque of Portsmouth as December's Granite Stater of the Month. Following the death of her youngest brother, Caitlin and her two siblings turned their grief into action by creating a nonprofit in his honor to provide free, hot meals to those in need. Caitlin's late brother--who went by ``Red''--was an avid volunteer in the Seacoast area. After he died, Caitlin and her siblings decided that the best way to honor their brother was by giving back to their community. Following a $100 donation from each of the siblings, Red's Good Vibes was officially born. Red's Good Vibes consists of one food truck--with a second one on the way--that travels around the Seacoast to communities with the most need. The nonprofit collects monetary donations, as well as utilizes relationships with the NH Food Bank, local restaurants, and grocery stores, which allows them to service communities 3 days a week with the help of dedicated volunteers. For Caitlin and her siblings, one of the most important goals of Red's Good Vibes is to make sure that all clients are treated with the utmost respect and dignity. In that vein, Red's Good Vibes always works to ensure that clients have multiple meal options, which helps make the experience feel more like a normal food truck than a charity. The nonprofit also never asks for suggested donations when volunteers are actively serving food to avoid making anyone feel compelled to donate in the moment. Red's Good Vibes is a labor of love for Caitlin and her siblings, who found a way to honor their brother in the most authentic way that they could. Thanks to their dedication, and the hard work of their volunteers, Red's Good Vibes distributes 1,500 hot meals a week to Granite Staters facing food insecurity. Soon, the nonprofit hopes to double that number using a second food truck that they are leasing from the city of Dover for $1 a year. Caitlin turned a tragedy into an opportunity to give back to her community, which exemplifies the Granite State's ingenuity and all- hands-on-deck spirit. I am proud to honor Caitlin as December's Granite Stater of the Month, and I wish Red's Good Vibes continued success serving their community.

Ms. HASSAN

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 President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about a grave threat that we face, a threat to the very idea of America. By law, every 2 years, Americans cast their votes for Federal office on a Tuesday in early November. Like many Americans, I have always treasured that day. I have gone to my polling place, and I have cast my vote. When I have left, usually from a townhall or a school, I have done so with the confidence that the votes would be counted, a winner declared, and my town, my State, and my country would move forward, accepting the results not because of which candidates won but because of our confidence that the election system was run impartially by people who believe in our democracy and believe that democracy is about free, fair, and impartially administered elections. This great democracy of ours depends on the existence of a free and fair casting and telling of the votes and the public's acceptance of that result. That is the prerequisite for a functioning democracy, and every other piece of our society, from our economy to our national security, depends on it. Without free, fair, and impartially administered elections, the United States of America as we know it would not exist. Yet, right now, our beloved democracy is under attack. In States around the country, partisan lawmakers are proposing to ignore properly cast votes, essentially trying to throw out the votes and silence the voices of those with whom they disagree. These partisans are more concerned about losing power than protecting the rights of citizens and preserving the foundation of our country. Here in Washington, a set of arcane Senate rules are being used as an excuse not to act. This cannot stand. We must change the rules to allow a simple majority of this body, as our Founders intended, to pass laws that will protect the right to vote and protect American democracy. In States across the country, partisan politicians are calling into question the sacred American right to free, fair, and impartially administered elections. These politicians are trying to reject the will of the people, trying to interfere with elections and, yes, overturn results. This is not an idle threat; it is happening right now. As the Presiding Officer well knows, earlier this year in Georgia, a new law enabled the legislature to seize control of the State election board, allowing elected legislators to install a partisan majority beholden to that legislature, with the ability to suspend and replace local election officials. In Arizona, legislators have proposed a bill that would enable the State legislature to override an election certification with a simple majority vote. These efforts threaten the integrity of our election system. That, in turn, threatens our peace, stability, and certainty--the very rule of law that makes individual liberty, a vibrant economy, and, yes, the peaceful transfer of power possible. There is no single aspect of American life that isn't related to free, fair, and impartially administered elections. We have public schools, safe neighborhoods, access to healthcare, support for small businesses, and access to the great outdoors all because ordinary Americans can make their voices heard and hold their government--a government of, by, and for the people--accountable. In America, as imperfect as we are, everybody has the opportunity to succeed because everyone has the opportunity to vote. But that all changes when our election system is corrupted by politicians who are more interested in clinging to power than being responsive to the people whom they were elected to represent. When those in power work to create a partisan electoral system where the focus is not on ensuring that every vote is counted but is instead on ensuring a predetermined outcome, those in power become less and less responsive to the will of the people. And as citizens become disenfranchised and angry, those in power increasingly rely on authoritarian methods to stay in power. That is the road that we risk going down if this systematic undermining of our elections and our democracy continues. Authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea would like nothing more than to see our great American experiment fail, to see Members of this Congress stand by while our democracy withers on the vine. When Americans lose trust in our democracy, when the integrity of our elections is thrown into doubt, neither Republicans nor Democrats win; our enemies do. But we in the Senate can stop this threat to our democracy by acting to protect the fundamental right to vote. The Constitution gives Congress the power to oversee Federal elections. That means that Congress has the authority to protect democracy and the right to vote, and we have a constitutional and moral obligation to do so. That was part of the oath I swore, to ``support and defend the Constitution'' and ``bear true faith and allegiance to the same.'' Congress has a responsibility to act now to ensure that the right of every American to vote is never taken away. We must pass legislation to prevent partisan politicians from rejecting the will of the people and overturning election results. Because that effort here in Congress is being blocked by a minority, which is abusing its power, I believe the time has come to change the Senate rules to allow a straight up-or-down majority vote on this fundamental issue of democracy. Our Founders understood that our democracy was a fragile thing that we would always have to fight to protect. Across every generation, Americans have signed up to serve not just to protect our physical security but to protect our freedom. American soldiers, like my father, fought in World War II. They saved the world from Hitler, preserving freedom around the globe. My dad fought in the Battle of the Bulge. When I was growing up and we were having breakfast, Dad would sometimes look up at my brother, my sister, and me, and he would say, ``So what are you going to do for freedom today?'' Sounds like kind of a big question to ask a kid, but he was serious because every single American has a responsibility to help protect our democracy, including and perhaps especially U.S. Senators. We must change the Senate rules to protect the right to vote because if we don't, we face a very different kind of election day than the one we have now. If the partisans who are attacking our democracy have their way, our Tuesday election day in early November will be different. We will wake up, cast our vote, drop our kids at school, and go to work. We will tune back in at the end of the day to see the election results, only to learn that the vote tally is being ignored, that our votes don't matter much. We will learn that our legislatures are going to throw out the results and pick their own winner. We will see an election day that is a charade just like in countries where democracy doesn't exist. Our democracy is too important to allow a minority of this body to let it slip away. We must pass legislation to protect American democracy. Our country depends on it. I yield the floor.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, before I start my remarks, I would like to thank the Senator from Missouri and add my thanks to Dr. Francis Collins for his leadership and for his contributions to our country, to our country's future, and for his reassurance during very difficult times. I thank Senator Blunt for so eloquently recognizing Dr. Collins.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I have 10 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Coach Sean McDonnell, who recently announced his retirement after leading the University of New Hampshire football team for the past 23 years. I am deeply grateful for his leadership on and off the field and the impact that he has made on countless students. Coach McDonnell has been a staple of UNH football for decades. After playing defensive back for the Wildcats from 1975 to 1978, he later returned to serve as an assistant coach, before taking over as head coach in 1999. Under his leadership, the Wildcats saw much success. The team made 14 consecutive appearances in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision--FCS--playoffs and reached the semifinals in 2013 and 2014. As a result of his hard work, Coach McDonnell was named a two-time national coach of the year in the FCS. But his reach goes far beyond the scoreboard. Known as Coach Mac, he served as a mentor and role model for countless young people. Above all, he was deeply proud of how those students and players represented the University of New Hampshire and our entire State. Coach Sean McDonnell has left a lasting legacy in the Granite State. I thank him for all of his hard work and wish him the best in his well- deserved retirement.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I am proud to recognize Mark Hagopian of Auburn and Jay Anderson of Sandown as November's Granite Staters of the Month. Mark and Jay partnered together to raise COVID-19 relief money for Granite Staters by designing and selling their own special IPA, which they named ``Brain Fog.'' In March of 2020, Mark Hagopian was rushed to Elliot Hospital in Manchester and was immediately admitted to the ICU to be treated for COVID-19. After 3 weeks on a ventilator, Mark miraculously recovered thanks to the hard work of the nurses and medical staff--or ``super heroes,'' as he calls them. After his recuperation, Mark wanted to help others, which led him to partner with Elliot Hospital to set up the NH COVID-19 Family Relief Fund. Proceeds go to Granite Staters who continue to feel the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and can help these individuals with healthcare copays, rehabilitation, groceries, and other costs. When Mark asked his friend Jay Anderson, owner of From the Barrel Brewing Company in Derry, about teaming up, Jay said it was a ``no- brainer.'' They got to work designing a special IPA with the proceeds going to the NH COVID-19 Family Relief Fund. Since Mark had been a regular customer, Jay knew exactly what type of beer Mark would like, and together, they named the final product ``Brain Fog.'' At the launch event for ``Brain Fog,'' Granite Staters mingled and heard from Mark and Jay about the NH COVID-19 Family Relief Fund. The beer itself was wildly successful, as evidenced by the fact that Mark and Jay sold out of all the cases of ``Brain Fog'' that first weekend. The duo plans to revive the brew and continue fundraising for the Elliot Hospital in the future. Mark and Jay are shining examples of what it means to be Granite Staters. After undergoing intense medical hardship, Mark turned around and started giving back to his community, and Jay was more than ready to help. Not only did they show impressive innovation and entrepreneurship, but they also brought people together during an especially hard time as our State and country continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am honored to name them as Granite Staters of the Month, and I look forward to seeing how their future endeavors continue to make our communities stronger.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I am proud to recognize Levi Goodan of Meriden and Maurgan McGrath of Hopkinton as October's Granite Staters of the Month. Levi and Maurgan both separately started initiatives to donate toys and other goods to patients at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth--CHaD--to help provide comfort to young patients with serious illnesses. At the age of 8, Levi was treated at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth for multiple broken bones over the course of 1 year. Following his treatment, Levi decided to donate his birthday and Christmas gifts to CHaD, since he knew how difficult spending nights at the hospital could be and wanted to lift peoples' spirits. He was inspired by his late grandfather, who used to tell him stories about receiving treatment for polio when he was a child at Boston Children's Hospital. His grandfather would frequently emphasize to Levi the importance of staying strong, hopeful, and positive in difficult circumstances. Since then, Levi continues to donate to CHaD. He most enjoys donating Legos, Play-Doh, fidget spinners, and projects such as kits to grow at- home crystals. Maurgan was born with a prenatal condition called malrotation, which results in problems in the normal formation of the fetal intestines, and as a result, she underwent various surgeries at ChaD while growing up. She remembers how lonely her experience was at times and did not want other children to feel the same way. As part of her senior year project, Maurgan began collecting books, games, and pajamas for children at CHaD to help them regain a sense of hope. Levi and Maurgan exemplify the Granite State spirit, taking a difficult time in their lives and using the experience as a source of strength. In both their cases, they helped bring joy to other young people who are facing similar challenges. Their commitment to helping other children navigating the often lonely, scary world of hospital visits should inspire all of us to give back and become more involved in our communities. I am honored to name them as Granite Staters of the Month, and I know that they will continue to make a positive difference in their communities for years to come.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Mike Mariani of Spofford and Devin McLaughlin of West Chesterfield as September's Granite Staters of the Month. Mike and Devin are currently biking nearly 4,000 miles across the United States to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention efforts following the loss of Mike's brother to suicide in 2018. Three years ago, Mike lost his 16-year-old older brother Nathan. Nathan was a junior at Keene High School at the time and was known to friends and family for his sense of humor and love for the outdoors. In his memory, Mike and his best friend Devin launched Pedaling for Prevention, an initiative to raise awareness for suicide prevention by cycling across the country. Pedaling for Prevention also raises money for The Samaritans in Keene, which is a nonprofit that provides resources, including an anonymous crisis hotline, to help Granite Staters battling depression or thoughts of self-harm. This cross country bike ride was initially scheduled for last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced Mike and Devin to change their plans. Instead, the pair travelled across New England and held socially distanced meet-and-greets where folks could share their stories about losing loved ones to suicide and help reduce the stigma around mental health. On their return home, the duo received a warm welcome from their community, including a ride through town on the top of a fire truck, courtesy of the Chesterfield Fire Department. Mike and Devin started their long-awaited cross-country journey earlier this summer. The two are currently exhibiting an incredible show of endurance by pedaling 3,762 miles across the entire United States and providing social media updates to spread awareness about the importance of suicide prevention. On their journey, they are also sharing their story with people they meet along the way to further expand their reach. These two thoughtful, brave, and determined young people embody what it means to be a Granite Stater. After a heartbreaking loss that reverberated through an entire community, Mike and Devin decided to make a positive impact by spreading a message of resilience and hope, all the while educating others about suicide prevention and the importance of reaching out for help.

Ms. HASSAN

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

Ms. HASSAN

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

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I rise today to offer a bipartisan amendment to promote U.S. competitiveness and support American innovation. The R&D tax credit provides critical support and tax relief to the small businesses and startups that power our economy. These businesses are job creators, helping spur innovation in New Hampshire and across the country. This bipartisan amendment with Senator Young would build on efforts to expand the R&D tax credit for startups, while protecting the tax incentives that allow U.S. companies, startups, and small businesses to stay competitive in our global marketplace and out compete China. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and yield my time to the Senator from Indiana.

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I call up my amendment No. 3278 and ask that it be reported by number.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Tyler Blanchette of Hudson as August's Granite Stater of the Month. Tyler has helped run an annual fundraiser outside his family's home in the middle of the winter to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association and has continued this effort even as he faces his own brain cancer diagnosis. The yearly fundraiser began on a chilly day in the winter of 2009 when Tyler's older brother Brandon decided to sell hot chocolate on his front lawn to raise money to support Alzheimer's research. The inspiration behind the fundraiser stemmed from their great-grandfather, nicknamed ``Big Papa,'' who was diagnosed with the disease and died from it when Brandon and Tyler were young. Once Brandon grew older and moved out of the Blanchette's home, Tyler eagerly took over running the event--making the signs, brewing the hot chocolate, and getting the word out to the community. The fundraiser, named Big Papa's Cocoa Stand in honor of Tyler's great-grandfather, sells hot chocolate for $1 to friends, neighbors, and community members who come by for a hot drink and a good cause. All of the sales go to the Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and since its founding, Tyler's family has raised approximately $30,000 for the organization. Four years ago, Tyler was diagnosed with brain cancer, a diagnosis he is living with today. Yet he was determined to continue helping others by running the cocoa stand. Tyler never let his diagnosis stand in the way of his goal to raise money for the organization that is working to find a cure for the disease that took his great-grandfather's life. Despite incredible adversity, Tyler has exemplified the spirit of the Granite State by forging on and serving his community no matter the circumstances. It is a mark of Tyler's compassion and grit that he continues to operate this fundraiser as he battles his own health challenges. I am proud to honor Tyler for his efforts and will pray for him and his family during this difficult time.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Noelle Lambert of Manchester as July's Granite Stater of the Month. Noelle is a Paralympic athlete who founded the Born to Run Foundation, which helps young people who have lost a limb achieve their dreams by providing them with specialized prosthetics. A lifelong athlete, Noelle was recruited to play Division 1 lacrosse at UMass Lowell. In her freshman year, Noelle was in a moped accident that severed her left leg. Noelle did not let this devastating accident stop her from finishing out her college lacrosse career. With the help of nonprofit organizations, Noelle received a specialized prosthetic for running that allowed her to continue competing. A specialized prosthetic like the one Noelle needs can cost up to $50,000 and is rarely covered by insurance, so the help Noelle received from these charities was essential in her return to competition. Inspired by the nonprofits who helped her compete at an elite collegiate level and determined that others in need of prosthetics receive the help that they need, Noelle started her own nonprofit to help other children and young adult amputees. Already, the Born to Run Foundation has donated specialized prosthetics to 14 individuals, including one as young as 4 years old. With the assistance of prosthetics provided by Born to Run, individuals have been able to run, weightlift, or simply take a walk on the beach again. If her work leading Born to Run wasn't enough, Noelle is also a world-class athlete and national record holder who qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Team and is competing at the Tokyo Paralympics in the 100-meter dash in the T63 division. Noelle's grit, perseverance, and compassion for others represent the best of the Granite State. Her ability to turn a traumatic experience into an opportunity to help others is an inspiration to us all, and I am honored to recognize her.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Maurice Mailhot of Berlin as June's Granite Stater of the Month. Maurice, a veteran who served in the Korean war and received two Purple Hearts during his service, worked diligently to help redesign Veteran's Memorial Park in Berlin. Starting with the memorial for the Spanish American War, Maurice worked through northern New Hampshire's grueling winter and into the spring to place each war memorial centrally and in chronological order in the park, creating a tribute worthy of New Hampshire's veterans. The story of how Maurice came to redesign the park is a testament to his service to his community and his indomitable spirit. A lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Maurice was asked by his fellow VFW members to lead and coordinate efforts to redesign Veteran's Memorial Park in downtown Berlin. As one of the oldest members of the group, Maurice could have said no and enjoyed his well-deserved retirement, but instead, he not only organized the redesign but almost singlehandedly completed the construction himself. Maurice, working mostly alone, dug holes around each memorial so that it could be lifted by machinery to a more optimal spot in the park. Maurice also designed a new signpost for the memorial park, replacing an older, wooden sign that failed to reflect the reverence that each of the war memorials is intended to convey. The new sign, made of solid, local granite, was donated by Maurice to honor Berlin's veteran community. Maurice embodies what it means to be a Granite Stater. Long after his brave service to our country, Maurice continues to serve his community and has gone to extraordinary lengths to honor his fellow veterans. I am grateful not only for Maurice's service but also for his dedication to his community, and I am honored to recognize him.

Ms. HASSAN

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

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I am proud to recognize Elizabeth ``Izzy'' McKinney of Londonderry as May's Granite Stater of the Month. A nurse and mother of two young children, Lily and Bryant, Izzy is using poetry, illustrations, and her personal experiences to bring much # needed attention to neurodivergent conditions in children. When her daughter, Lily, was a toddler, she would flap her arms when she got excited. Izzy and her husband thought nothing of it at first, since Izzy also used to flap her arms when she was a child. It was not until Lily started kindergarten that Izzy and her husband realized that Lily's arm-flapping was unique. Flapping is a type of self-stimulatory behavior that is common in children with neurodivergence and can help them alleviate feelings of sensory overload. For a school project that encouraged students to highlight what makes them special, Izzy encouraged her daughter to find things about her that stood out from her peers. While thinking about her daughter's project, Izzy decided to write her own poem about her daughter's unique physical behavior to demonstrate to Lily that it is okay to be different from friends and classmates, that everyone has unique attributes. Eventually, Izzy expanded the poem into a children's book called ``What Makes Me Special.'' All the proceeds for the book go toward the High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire, a nonprofit that provides life- enhancing experiences for children with chronic conditions. Later, after Izzy's second child, Bryant, was born, Izzy wrote another children's book, this time focused on her son's neurodivergence, dyspraxia. This book is titled ``My Buddy Bryant: A Story of Friendship and Dyspraxia'' and encourages children to embrace each other's differences. All the proceeds for this book go toward the Dyspraxia Foundation USA, which seeks to educate the public about dyspraxia and provide support and resources to families. Izzy also runs her own blog, flappingoodtale.com, about her experience parenting two children who are neurodivergent. Izzy embodies the best of our State by destigmatizing neurdivergence and promoting acceptance and inclusion. Her books provide a fun avenue to help children and adults understand that including people who experience physical or behavioral differences or disabilities can strengthen our families, our committees, our State, and our country. I wish Izzy all the best as she continues this important work.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Adam Hammill and his business, Exile Burrito of Berlin, NH. Mr. Hammill, a Coast Guard veteran, had the courage to open his business after years of planning in May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After honorably serving our country, both in the Coast Guard and with the Bureau of Prisons, Mr. Hammill turned his passion for cooking authentic Mexican cuisine into a family business and contributed to the revitalization of Berlin's historic Main Street community by opening a restaurant, creating jobs, and offering a new variety of table fare that was previously not available within an hour of New Hampshire's northernmost city. Opening a new business is always a challenge, but that is especially true for people like Mr. Hammill, who decided to start their business during an unprecedented global pandemic. Mr. Hammill was committed to staying open for his employees and his community by pivoting to a takeout model and implementing safety measures for both his employees and customers. As Mr. Hammill adapted to the ever changing business climate due to the pandemic, he found that as a new business, he was unable to access the critical pandemic relief funding passed by Congress. Mr. Hammill recognized the gap in support and raised this issue with me. As a result of advocacy from Mr. Hammill and other new business owners in New Hampshire, I introduced the bipartisan Recovery Startup Assistance Act with Republican Senator Mike Braun of Indiana, which President Biden signed into law as part of the American Rescue Plan. Now, thanks to Mr. Hammill's advocacy, new business owners will be able to access payroll assistance through a tailored version of the employee retention tax credit. Mr. Hammill truly represents the best of the Granite State--serving our country, showing his grit and determination to open a successful business despite unprecedented challenges, and speaking up to help other new businesses like his own. I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.

Mr. HASSAN

Mr. HASSAN. Mr. President, I have a request for one committee to meet during today's session of the Senate. It has the approval of the Majority and Minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committee is authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Monday, May 10, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., to conduct a meeting.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Olivia Van Ledtje of Durham as March's Granite Stater of the Month. Olivia, a 12- year-old book activist, creates videos--called LivBits--that seek to encourage children around the globe to love books as much as she does. Olivia began creating LivBits when she was 8 years old as a way to overcome bullying that she experienced. The videos gave Olivia a purpose and allowed her to find her voice. Olivia's first video, which was uploaded to her mother's social media, went viral and has more than 500,000 views. Since then, Olivia has created many more LivBits about some of her favorite books and even hosted a podcast with authors as a way to get children her age excited about reading. Over the last few years, Olivia has travelled across the country and around the world to promote her love of reading and inspire others. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Olivia hasn't been travelling as much, but because her work is built for the digital age, she is still able to share her message with children and teachers around the globe. Olivia's passion for and dedication to promoting literacy and inspiring children in New Hampshire and around the world to love reading represents the best of our State. By promoting self-reliance and self-empowerment through discovery and learning, I know that she will continue to do incredible things, and I look forward to everything she will go on to accomplish.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I am proud to recognize Emily Kim Ae Sun Hunter of Chester as April's Granite Stater of the Month. In response to the surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, AAPI, Emily is organizing a peaceful gathering in downtown Portsmouth to demonstrate support for New Hampshire's AAPI community. Emily was born in Seoul, South Korea. When she and twin sister were 5 months old, they were adopted by a couple in New Hampshire. Growing up in a predominantly White community, Emily and her sister quickly learned what it was like to be the only people of color in a room. The sisters were also the target of hate, which left a lasting impression on both of the girls. Emily--now a mentor for Asian-American women at her company and a strong voice in the AAPI community--was shocked and horrified, as so many Americans were, by the mass shooting in Atlanta, GA, that left eight people dead, including six women of Asian descent. In response, Emily decided to take action by organizing a peaceful gathering to show support for the AAPI community and help share resources to combat discrimination. Emily, who has never organized an event like this before, has also taken to social media and raised more than $6,500 for AAPI organizations across the country. Emily's dedication to uplifting members of the AAPI community and encouraging others to do the same embodies the best of the Granite State. Amid a challenging time for the AAPI community, Emily has shown true strength by elevating her message of inclusivity and acceptance. I am honored to name her as a Granite Stater of the Month as we join together to stand with the AAPI community and condemn the un-American attacks that we have seen.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the provisions of S. Res. 152 as a further mark of respect for the memory of Officer William Francis ``Billy'' Evans of the United States Capitol Police.

Ms. HASSAN

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 152, submitted earlier today.

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