[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 25, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5120-S5121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                           Honoring Ken Duke

  Mr. PRYOR. Madam President, I rise today to honor Ken Duke of Hope, 
AR. Ken is an incredible athlete who has a great story and is actually 
here with us today.
  Years ago, as a teenager, Ken was diagnosed with scoliosis and he was 
forced for years to wear a back brace. There were times when he had to 
wear that back brace for 23 hours a day. He underwent surgery and 
numerous treatments. Eventually they put a metal rod in his spine and 
the rod is still there today.
  Despite all of those tough circumstances, he persevered. He went on 
to win his high school district golf tournament. He was wearing the 
back brace, no less.
  In recent years, Ken became a strong advocate for those suffering 
from spinal problems. He now hosts an annual charity golf tournament 
called ``A Day with Duke.''
  Anyway, after playing golf for Henderson State University--and might 
I say, Go Reddies--he turned professional. As do many professional 
golfers, he had his good days and bad days, his ups and downs. It is a 
tough life. He has been out there plugging away week in and week out. 
But this past Sunday Ken had one of his best days of golf he has ever 
had in his career. At the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, CT, Duke 
faced a tense playoff with Chris Stroud. After Stroud had chipped in on 
the 18th hole, the men were neck and neck, both at 12 under par. But 
Ken pushed ahead, making a 2\1/2\ foot birdie putt on the second 
playoff hole to clinch his first PGA tour victory. This was not only a 
great shot and a great round of golf, but it is also a great American 
story.
  Arkansas is very proud of Ken, and we hope there are many wins in his 
future. I wanted to say ``congratulations.''
  Madam President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Madam President, I have the honor to chair the 
Commerce Committee and thus have enormous interest in who our next 
Commerce Secretary is going to be. I don't think the President could 
have picked anybody better.
  I have known Penny Pritzker for 30 years. I have Chicago relations in 
my family too. She is a force of nature. That is the thing I want 
people to understand: She is a force of nature. Yes, she is wealthy. 
Yes, she is experienced in business. Yes, she is experienced in public 
service. She is a tiger of energy and purpose.
  The Department of Commerce is probably the most complicated--I don't 
know compared to DOD, but I think it is the most complicated non-DOD 
agency. We have oceans, spectrum, aviation, trains. There are a 
thousand different areas, including all the oceans. It takes a real 
leader and it takes a tough person. We haven't had a tough enough 
person for a while. We had one, but then because of health reasons that 
person had to resign.
  I cannot imagine a better--and I don't say these things often about 
nominees--I cannot imagine a more perfect person to run the Department 
of Commerce than Penny Pritzker. I hope my colleagues will vote for her 
overwhelmingly.
  I thank the Chair and yield the floor, and note the absence of a 
quorum.

[[Page S5121]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HATCH. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.