May 13, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 90 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S2387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, people often think of prisons as 
places only to send criminals and then forget about them. But as I have 
noted here before, most inmates will one day be released.
  Helping former criminals become productive citizens is very much an 
important function of our prison system. In recent weeks, inmates in 
the Iowa prison system have acquired what you might consider strange 
skills--but they are new skills--and even monetary allowances. They 
have done this by producing personal protective equipment, like face 
shields and masks. During this time of the virus pandemic, we all know 
what those are used for.
  I commend these efforts by our prisoners and our prison system 
promoting this sort of training. They will help to protect the health 
and safety of the prisons and our State in the short term, but they 
will also help inmates in the long term.
  These inmates are providing an essential public service, and for that 
they deserve our appreciation. It is an important contribution that I 
hope they will long remember and that will help them to be productive 
members of society when they finish their sentences.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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