September 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 143 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S5345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY ISAKSON

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I welcome my colleagues back to the 
Senate. I hope all of us took advantage of the past weeks that we spent 
in our home States and with our constituents. Washington is where we 
come to work. We come here to fight for our neighbors and for the 
places we love and are proud to hail from.
  The American people know this is a highly charged political moment. 
They haven't sent us here to stage pitched battles or score political 
points. They elected us to make a difference for them and their 
families. We do that by taking care of the people's business and by 
collaborating in good faith to complete our work and attend to the 
pressing matters that are before us.
  While we were spread out across the country, we heard an unwelcome 
announcement from our dear friend and colleague, the senior Senator 
from Georgia. Senator Johnny Isakson has determined that his health 
challenges will lead him to conclude his distinguished 15-year Senate 
career at the end of December, putting Georgians first, like always.
  His departure will be a significant loss for the people of Georgia 
and for the 99 of us here in this Chamber. Senator Isakson is a 
tireless legislator. In particular, he is a dogged advocate for our 
Nation's veterans. But he is even more than that. Johnny is universally 
seen as one of the warmest, friendliest, most respectful, and most 
collaborative Members of this body. He has strong views and solid 
principles, but he knows that broad, often bipartisan cooperation is 
the way to advance those very goals.

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