S7704 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 18, 2020 there. That’s not what it’s about. To me, it’s The two brothers plan to remain in East- speaking about the Senate, Senator about I know where I can put something and ern Kentucky and continue making a dif- ALEXANDER often says, ‘‘It’s hard to it gets out there, and you’re helping some- ference in their communities. get here, it’s hard to stay here, and one. It goes back to giving back. The littlest Tom stated, ‘‘ ‘‘What’s most important is thing can mean so much to somebody. If it’s that Bob and I came here almost 42 years ago while you’re here, you might as well that family, if it’s that crew person at the to go into business. We had the opportunity try to accomplish something good for restaurant, it might be that gentleman at to leave many times, to relocate. But we the country.’’ Over his 18 years in this the gas station you see everyday. On and on chose to stay because the mountains spoke institution, he has embodied those . . . I think it’s the biggest reward is if it’s to us and there’s a lot of opportunity here. words and has served as a guiding force Christmas and it’s breakfast with Santa and We’ve seen a lot of opportunity here—but the of principle and bipartisanship. there’s children, seeing those kids smile . . . people. The people in the communities and Under his 6 years of leadership as I’m touched, man. That’s it right there. And the people that were with us in our organiza- watching kids grow up.’’ tion—our company was really powered by chair, the Senate Health, Education, Bob then stated, ‘‘ ‘‘The successes and re- people with pride and we knew we had every- Labor, and Pensions Committee re- wards are not always measured in money. thing we ever set out for and that we could ported 45 bills that became law. It is a There are people in East Kentucky that are begin and continue our foundation by stay- shining example of his commitment to as close as family. They are family—ex- ing here in Eastern Kentucky, where we working together and finding resolu- tended family here in the hills.’’ The two chose to make our home. We’re still in the tion on issues that directly impact brothers then took a moment to reflect on community. We’ll still be engrained in many what it is like to work as partners in their Americans’ lives. As a member of the things in the community. We are not leaving HELP Committee, I am thankful to business endeavors. or abandoning, we are just taking ourselves ‘‘It’s very unique,’’ said Tom, ‘‘to be in a to the next level.’’ have had the opportunity to work with partnership for that many years, but then Bob stated, ‘‘We will be here, we will be ac- Senator ALEXANDER on some of these it’s unique added to it to be in partnership tive, we will be involved and the thing that’s bills, such as the Opioid Crisis Re- with your brother for all of those years. We keeping us here is the people—the people in sponse Act of 2018 and the reauthoriza- are totally like night and day. Ask any of the mountains. People here have been our crew. But that’s part of it. I respect tion of the Perkins Career and Tech- great—we’ve been able to help a lot of peo- Bob’s forte, he respects mine, but do we al- nical Education law, among others. I ple, but there’s a lot of people that have been ways agree? No. But when we sit down at a am also thankful for Chair ALEXAN- able to help us.’’ table and we have a discussion, it may not be Tom said the brothers are simply opening DER’S, as well as Ranking Member what I sat down at the table and wanted or another chapter in their lives. PATTY MURRAY’s, support for my work thought was best, but when we walk away, ‘‘We walked in together, and we’re walking to lower the cost of prescription drugs we’re on the same mission. What is the re- out together,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a beautiful sce- and improve access to mental health sult we want? We talk it out. It’s about com- nery.’’ munication, cooperation and coordination.’’ services. ‘‘If we really hit head to head, then we do f When I came to the Senate in 2018, paper, scissors, rock,’’ joked Tom. TRIBUTE TO LAMAR ALEXANDER Senator ALEXANDER welcomed me as a Bob stated, ‘‘My strong points might be his colleague and friend, for which I will Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, weak points. His strong points might be my always be grateful. While I will miss weak points. However, through osmosis over I would like to take a moment to rec- his esteemed, bipartisan leadership, the years we’ve been able to balance each ognize and thank the chair of the Sen- both on the HELP Committee and in other.’’ ate Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- ‘‘I’m a very diplomatic guy,’’ Bob contin- the Senate, I am grateful for his serv- sions Committee and Senator from ued. ‘‘Tom likes to put a lot of bling in stuff. ice to our country and wish him and Tennessee, LAMAR ALEXANDER. Senator Tom likes to make stuff look nice. There’s Honey the best in their next chapter. really nothing wrong with it, but we’ve went ALEXANDER has committed his life to head-to-head on some of the remodels that public service for both the people of Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I would we’ve done. Before, when we were allowed Tennessee and Nation. He served first like to take this time to honor Senator the luxury of picking out nice lights and nice as the Governor of Tennessee, then as LAMAR ALEXANDER. Over the past 30 wallpaper or quality seating, and he wanted the Secretary of Education under years, Senator ALEXANDER has served to do things . . . we went into a boxing President George H. W. Bush from 1991 the people of Tennessee as U.S. Sen- match over that one. I said, ‘Do whatever to 1993, and finally in the U.S. Senate ator, Governor, and U.S. Secretary of you’d like, but keep in mind that I’ve got the Education under President George budget.’ ’’ since 2003. Senator ALEXANDER has H.W. Bush. Over the past 2 years, how- LEAVING THE BUSINESS served more years as Governor and U.S. Senator than any other Ten- ever, he has also been a great friend to The decision to move on from McDonald’s, a freshman Senator from Nevada who the brothers said, was linked to the death of nessean who has occupied both posi- their older brother at 70. tions. It has been an Honor to serve came from a different political party ‘‘Bob and I reflected on the passing of our with Senator ALEXANDER over the past but shared his desire to get things done older brother and thought when is the right 4 years. for the American people. Like so many time?’’ Tom said. ‘‘I don’t know if there is a As chair of the Health, Education, in this Chamber, I will miss this dedi- right time, but we did make a plan and so we Labor, and Pensions Committee, Sen- cated public servant who sought to find made the availability. What was nice is that common ground on the many pressing some of the perimeters we had set were like ator ALEXANDER dedicated the end of ‘Who’s going to come in and represent and his Senate career to issues such as the issues facing the Senate, including take care of our people? Who would take care opioid epidemic, supporting mental healthcare, education, and medical re- of our guests? Who is going to best reflect health providers, lowering prescription search. what we’ve laid a great foundation out for?’ drug prices, and cultivating innovation Senator ALEXANDER has been a great It was about finding the right team, family in the medical field, just to name a mentor and colleague of mine in the or person who had the same beliefs and was Senate. I was grateful for how gracious going to keep our company intact.’’ few. During his tenure as chair Senator For Bob and Tom, the Faris family was the ALEXANDER presided over more than 70 he was when I first came to the Senate perfect fit for continuing their legacy. hearings and oversaw more than 45 and for his willingness to engage me on Bob stated, ‘‘It was an easy decision. We’ve bills that eventually became law. the key issues facing Congress. As had five or six people approach us over the Senator ALEXANDER has dedicated his chairman of the Health, Education, last couple of years without even putting a career to faithfully representing the Labor, and Pensions Committee, of sign out. It was really easy when we saw who people of our great country, believing which I am proud to be a member, Sen- they (the Faris family) are personally and professionally. We knew who to sell it to. that ‘‘the best decisions are made by ator ALEXANDER worked tirelessly on They’re people-oriented.’’ those closest to the people.’’ Thank important issues like increasing access Tom echoed the sentiment, stating, ‘‘The you, again, to Senator ALEXANDER. I to telehealth services, lowering health Farises, what they had to offer us and what wish him a long and peaceful retire- care costs, making it easier to apply they had to offer the team, I want to say ment, playing piano and spending time for student financial aid, and advo- that we are like book ends. Bob, Tom and with his wife, Honey, their children cating for our seniors. I particularly the Faris family. Same core beliefs. That’s appreciated the work he did to support what felt good.’’ and grandchildren, and dog, Rufus. ‘‘I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if they Ms. SMITH. Mr. President, I am hon- the fight against Alzheimer’s disease make this organization better than it al- ored to pay tribute to my colleague, and ensure we invest in robust funding ready is,’’ said Bob. Senator LAMAR ALEXANDER. When for medical research.

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