December 4, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 193 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages S6854-S6855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY ISAKSON

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, today I rise to honor and pay tribute 
to my good friend Senator Johnny Isakson on his retirement from the 
U.S. Senate.
  Throughout the years, I have gotten to know Johnny as a colleague but 
more importantly as a friend.
  Together, we cochaired the National Prayer Breakfast and attended the 
weekly Senate Prayer Breakfast. I always came away from those 
breakfasts thankful for colleagues like Johnny, who reminded me that we 
all share a common purpose and a common humanity and that, with faith 
and forgiveness, we can start anew.
  As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Johnny was 
always a tireless champion for our Nation's veterans--leading on issues 
that face all of our brave men and women who have stepped up and served 
our country. Without Johnny, important legislation like the Harry W. 
Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act--also known as the Forever 
GI Bill--to increase the number of veterans who can access benefits 
under the post-9-11 GI bill, would not have been signed into law in 
2017. And

[[Page S6855]]

whether it was his work on the Finance, Foreign Relations, or Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pension Committees, Johnny exemplified a fighting 
spirit and an enduring commitment to service.
  Not long after I was elected to the Senate, Johnny and I began 
working together on legislation that was later signed into law to 
advance research on muscular dystrophy and help strengthen a program 
that provides information and education for people battling this 
disease. I will always appreciate his willingness to put partisanship 
aside in an effort to work toward a bipartisan proposal that would 
protect Dreamers last year.
  Beyond just our legislative work together, I will always think fondly 
of Johnny as someone who is decent, caring, and kind. He even hosts a 
prerecess barbeque that has everything from pulled pork to brisket to 
mac and cheese and sweet tea and pecan pie. One year, you could smell 
the hickory-smoked meats in the halls of the Senate for days--and I 
loved it.
  As we take this opportunity to honor Johnny, I also want to thank his 
wife Dianne and their three children and eight grandchildren for 
sharing so much of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather with 
the U.S. Senate.
  As much as I will miss Johnny's company in the Senate next year, I 
know that this isn't his final chapter. He will continue to do good 
work for the people of Georgia, and I am lucky to count him as a 
friend.
  Thank you Johnny.

                          ____________________