May 12, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2375 out of reach with every day that from July 2019 to May 2020. During this County High School and then traveled passes. Prior to this pandemic, we saw time, he led with precision and class. to Denver, where she graduated from a rents and home prices rising twice as Eleven months—a short period, yet small community college. A dedicated fast as worker’s incomes. Today, the the presence of the Navy here in the public servant and Wyomingite cost of a typical single-family home is Capitol and the results we have seen through and through, Leta served for four times greater than the median since last July would indicate a labor more than 15 years in the Campbell household income. of a much longer period. In that time, County Assessor’s office and district We need a Deputy Secretary of Hous- he has served under various leaders, court and 12 years as a member of the ing and Urban Development who will yet in spite of that, the Department of Gillette City Council. She also worked make it a priority to reverse the tra- the Navy has never been more strongly for former Wyoming Senator Al Simp- jectory that we have been on and to ac- integrated with Congress than it is son for 10 years, both in his northeast tually make housing more affordable today. Through dedication and State office and in Washington, DC. in America. This position is responsible impactful communication, Brad has While her political career alone is for management of all day-to-day oper- deftly navigated his team, our staffs, impressive, Leta was always involved ations within HUD, including roughly and our mutual partnership to new and giving her time to Wyoming. Leta 7,700 employees. They oversee a budget heights. is a dedicated member of the ranching of approximately $50 billion that funds Brad has had the challenge of being community and the community at a number of programs meant to provide the Navy’s lead advocate on Capitol large as a member of Campbell County quality, affordable housing for lower Hill and has had the privilege of com- Cattle Women, Campbell County Wool income Americans, provides rental as- municating with all Members of Con- Growers Auxiliary, and a member of sistance for low-income families, and gress, which inherently is no small Women in Business, just to name a few. distributes grants to states and com- feat. The hidden mission therein is the She loved nothing more than working munities for various housing-related tireless jobs of educating our staffs, on the ranch with her family, and has purposes and also enforces the Fair precisely executing congressional dele- worked tirelessly to support the next Housing Act. gations on all continents, supporting generation in agriculture. Brian Montgomery is not the person hearings, and negotiating the NDAA. In 2002, Leta was the Campbell Coun- for the job. He has handled our thousands of con- ty Woman of distinction. She has done In his current role as the FHA Com- stituent inquiries and properly rep- many wonderful things for the Gillette missioner, Mr. Montgomery has sup- resented the Navy while taking into community and the State of Wyoming. ported policies from the Trump admin- account military, political, and budg- She has been a generous supporter of istration that would increase the cost etary priorities. family-oriented performance at the Brad is the reason senior Navy lead- of FHA loans and include risk-based Cam-Plex Heritage Center in Gillette ers are always well prepared to stand pricing, continuing to make homeown- since 1996. In 2013, her donation to Gil- before us during all hearings, calls, and ership even less affordable for those lette College in support of their Agri- numerous briefings. His clear, concise, who can least afford it. He was also culture Education Center and Rodeo and consistent communication to the part of the senior leadership team that complex made it a reality. This state of Hill during the COVID–19 pandemic, en- published a rule that would help under- sured the Navy’s efforts for the safety the art facility features an indoor mine enforcement of the Fair Housing of sailors and their families and the rodeo practice area, classroom, lab, and Act through the Disparate Impact execution of all missions to support the 20-stall loafing sheds. It is quite pos- Study. The disparate impact standard national defense strategy and safety sible that, without Leta’s support, this is a longstanding tool used to root out and security of our Nation was well un- world-class facility and many other policies and practices that may not be derstood. Because of Brad’s profes- projects would not have come to fru- openly discriminatory on their face, sionalism and visible commitment to ition. The dorms at Gillette College but disproportionally harm a protected the Navy and our country, he certainly will forever bear the name Tanner Vil- class under the Fair Housing Act. The established lasting relationships with lage. Her willingness to help the com- proposed rule that Mr. Montgomery all of the Members of Congress. munity grow and thrive will never be helped create—and which is vigorously On behalf of my colleagues and the forgotten. opposed by a coalition of fair housing, entire U.S. Congress, I want to person- I am reminded of a few words my civil rights, and consumer groups—rigs ally thank Rear Admiral Brad Cooper mother taught me: ‘‘Do what’s right. the system to make it nearly impos- for his more than three decades of dedi- Do what’s best. Treat others as you’d sible for a victim of discrimination to cated service to the Navy and our Na- wish to be treated.’’ Leta certainly em- win a disparate impact claim. tion. He will be certainly missed. I also bodied these principles and will con- A person who has used his current po- want to thank his wife, Susan, and tinue to do so. Although she will be sition to make it harder for low- and children Bradford and Katie for their leaving our great State, Leta’s legacy middle-income Americans to afford to deep sacrifices and tremendous sup- will live on and continue to be an ex- buy a home should not serve in a top- port. I wish them all the best in his ample of just what is possible for Wyo- tier position as the equivalent of the next assignment in Norfolk, VA, and I mingites of all ages. Department of Housing and Urban De- sincerely look forward to working with Leta, thank you for your years of velopment’s chief financial officer. We him again in the future. Fair winds and tireless service to Wyoming. Diana need individuals in these positions following seas to you. joins me in sending our best wishes to fighting to get families into homes, not f you and your family. Stay in touch. pushing that dream further and further Wyoming will always be your home. out of reach. Therefore, I oppose Mr. TRIBUTE TO LOLETA MARIE Thank you and God bless. ‘‘LETA’’ RECORD TANNER Montgomery’s nomination to serve as f the Deputy Secretary of Housing and Mr. ENZI. Madam President, I would TRIBUTE TO KAREN NYBERG Urban Development and would have like to say a few words to send best voted nay, had I been able to be wishes to a good friend of mine on her Mr. CRAMER. Madam President, I present. next adventure, LoLeta Marie ‘‘Leta’’ want to honor a remarkable woman f Record Tanner. I recently learned that who has retired after three decades at Leta will be moving to Texas from our the National Aeronautics and Space TRIBUTE TO REAR ADMIRAL BRAD great State of Wyoming to live with Administration. In her 30 years at COOPER her son. While I am overjoyed that she NASA, Karen Nyberg spent 20 of them Mr. INHOFE. Madam President, can be with her family, I am deeply as an astronaut, including 180 days in today I wish to recognize and congratu- saddened that Wyoming will no longer space on two spaceflights. late Rear Admiral Brad Cooper of the be the physical home to such a dedi- Along with other Americans, I en- U.S. Navy on his exemplary service to cated, strong, and loving person. joyed following her space shuttle mis- our Nation as the Department of the Leta was born in Gillette, WY, in sion in 2008 and the International Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs 1930. She graduated from Campbell Space Station’s 6-month expedition in VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:06 May 13, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A12MY6.007 S12MYPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE S2376 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 12, 2020 2013. During her space shuttle mission, Fred, who was born in South Carolina For me, perhaps the sense of personal she became the 50th woman in space. and grew up in Idaho, earned a degree respect and understanding I had for While on the International Space Sta- in history at the College of Idaho be- Fred are what seem most powerful. The tion, she shared unique personal mes- fore earning his law degree at the Uni- previously mentioned Washington sages, including videos on how to wash versity of Chicago Law School. His Times article from three years ago, in- hair in space, make a stuffed animal, early career included serving as an As- cluded a quote from Fred stating, ‘‘I’m and work on a quilt.