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E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 116 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 166 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 No. 207 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was I used these words: [So that he could] of the Senate’s time. But above and be- called to order by the President pro enjoy the blessings of hearth and home. yond that, the strategic realities dic- tempore (Mr. GRASSLEY). Now, I am not so sure that he took tate that Congress should not stand in f my advice to heart. I recently learned the way of this sale. that Tom has been moonlighting in re- In August, the UAE reached the first PRAYER tirement as an intrepid crew member of the Abraham Accords, the landmark The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- sailing the icy waters of the North At- peace deal with Israel, brokered by the fered the following prayer: lantic. In fact, he joined the crew of 59 Trump administration, which Bahrain Let us pray. North Sailing for five voyages. His soon went on to reprise. That step, the Heavenly Father, keep us from dis- most recent adventure found Tom first normalization of relations be- appointing You. Inspire us in all we say aboard Ice Bear navigating gale force tween the Arab nation and the State of and do to glorify You. Empower our winds in and around the rugged coast- Israel in nearly 30 years, cemented an Senators to strive to please You in line of Newfoundland. important new chapter in the UAE’s their every thought and action. They say you can’t take the farm out international relations and its close re- Lord, we acknowledge that You are of an Iowa farm kid. The same must be lationship with the United States. our rock of safety and our fortress dur- true for a lifelong sailor and the sea. Of course, it is a key American objec- ing every season of distress. Give our Tom recently celebrated his 81st tive to preserve and protect Israel’s lawmakers the wisdom to honor Your birthday in November. Barbara and I quantitative military edge. Fortu- Name in their work, entrusting You to wish him many more trips around the nately, Israel’s Ambassador, Defense take care of all their tomorrows. Set Sun and as many adventures at sea Minister, and Prime Minister have all them in a safe place because of Your that his heart desires. made sure they are comfortable with unfailing love and faithfulness. I yield the floor. this deal. Senators considering this sale need We pray in Your merciful Name. I suggest the absence of a quorum. to consider a reality we cannot escape. Amen. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The A significant competition for influence clerk will call the roll. f in the Middle East is underway, and The senior assistant legislative clerk China and Russia will be more than PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE proceeded to call the roll. happy to meet the demand for ad- The President pro tempore led the Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, vanced capabilities if the United States Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: I ask unanimous consent that the order simply takes our ball and goes home. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the for the quorum call be rescinded. If our colleagues make the Senate United States of America, and to the Repub- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without vote on this measure, I urge all my col- lic for which it stands, one nation under God, objection, it is so ordered. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. leagues to vote against it. f The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. f HYDE-SMITH). The Senator from Iowa. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL ENZI LEADER Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, ask unanimous consent to speak for 1 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- now, on an entirely different matter, minute in morning business. jority leader is recognized. my colleagues here in the U.S. Senate The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without f are, to put it mildly, an impressive objection, it is so ordered. bunch. It always makes it a challenge UNITED ARAB EMIRATES f to pay adequate tribute when one Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, leaves our ranks. TRIBUTE TO TOM HARKIN this week, some Senators indicate they But even by the high standards of Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, may attempt to move a privileged reso- this place, the course charted by the long before he was sworn into the U.S. lution to disapprove of the administra- Senator, whom I have to send off this Senate, my former colleague, Tom Har- tion’s proposed sale of advanced arma- morning, stands out. The senior Sen- kin from Iowa, served in the U.S. Navy ments to the United Arab Emirates, a ator from Wyoming, Senator MIKE in Vietnam. He and I represented critical partner in our fight against ENZI, has accomplished enough in one Iowans for 30 years together here in the terrorists. It is a little baffling to sug- career to fill two. He seemingly glided U.S. Senate. gest that now, of all times, a protest from business success to military serv- Six years ago, I came to the floor to gesture with no chance of obtaining a ice, to local government, to State poli- wish my friend well in retirement, and veto-proof majority is of valuable use tics, to the U.S. Senate, where he has ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. S7247 . VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:08 Dec 09, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A08DE6.000 S08DEPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S7248 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE December 8, 2020 built a remarkably productive legisla- wanted. The experienced salesman had were happy to meet with one of this tive record. to pitch his longtime friend on the body’s chief champions on the AIDS MIKE’s prolific career began in a opening, and it worked. issue. small town. In fact, Gillette, WY, was From Gillette to the Senate, Flip was But let the record reflect that east so small when MIKE and his wife Diana MIKE’s secret weapon—not just a staff- coast, Washington, DC, life never arrived and stood up the family busi- er, but as MIKE tells it, a true partner spoiled MIKE. I heard from a reliable ness, the town still carried the less- in service for many years. When Flip source that after wrapping up one than-flattering nickname of ‘‘Dirt.’’ passed away much too soon in 2016, this meeting with Bono, the world-famous But new discoveries in the American entire institution felt the loss. front man of U2 and a leader in the energy business were in the course of MIKE’s staff likes to say he has a fight against AIDS, MIKE cheerfully of- changing everything. A major oil and whole collection of useful hats he can fered the following parting remark to gas boom meant more people. More wear to approach Senate business: the the well-established superstar: ‘‘Well people meant more sales at MIKE’s NZ perspective of a mayor or of a small . good luck with the band!’’ Shoes store—that is the letter ‘‘N’’ and business owner or a State legislator or If you have seen MIKE in action the letter ‘‘Z.’’ an accountant or a Wyomingite. Well, around the Senate—devouring details, MIKE could have just sat back and that hasn’t just been a winning com- mastering issue after issue—it is hard cruised, but MIKE saw Gillette strug- bination for the people of Wyoming. It to imagine him making time for much gling to keep up with the growth, and has benefited our entire country. of anything outside his work. But you basic services were lagging. Nearly ev- MIKE’s trade secret has been what he would be badly mistaken, because one eryone who encountered him in town calls the 80–20 rule. Across all the of the worst kept secrets around the or in the junior chamber of commerce issues he tackled, he insists about four- Capitol is that MIKE is one of the very meetings concluded this up-and-comer fifths of the subject matter is potential warmest Members of the Senate fam- had real leadership talent. I understand common ground ripe for progress. He ily. the final prod into public service came said: You just can’t let the controver- As we prepare to bid him farewell, from no less a Wyoming statesman, our sial 20 percent blow everything up. MIKE’s colleagues may miss his wise own former colleague, Al Simpson. Well, that approach made our col- leadership on legislation, but I suspect They had crossed paths. Alan had league from Wyoming downright pro- the loss will be greater for future class- heard MIKE speak. He took the prom- lific. MIKE has been directly respon- es of Senate pages, who will be denied ising young man aside to tell him rath- sible for the passage of more than 100 the pizza and ice creams parties MIKE er pointedly that his town sure did bills. He has become a go-to leader on threw to celebrate their successes. The need a good mayor. To be precise, MIKE everything from budget, tax reform, staff at a favorite nearby Mexican res- tells us the phrasing was typically and the deficit to AIDS relief and taurant will miss a couple who, along blunt Al Simpson: ‘‘Put your money workplace safety.