[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 154 (Monday, December 15, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6828-S6829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               John Walsh

  Mr. REID. Madam President, there is only one combat veteran of the 
Iraq war in the Senate, and that is GEN John Walsh--Senator John Walsh.
  In 2004 General Walsh led the deployment of several hundred National 
Guard men from Montana to Iraq. He did the same thing a year later. It 
was a very difficult time for Americans in Iraq. General Walsh's men 
were in some of the heaviest battles. Many of them were wounded, and a 
number of them gave the ultimate sacrifice.
  He led the largest deployment of Montana soldiers and airmen since 
World War II. For his service, John was awarded the Bronze Star, the 
Legion of Merit Award, and the Combat Infantry Badge. John came to the 
Senate a hero, and he will leave the Senate a hero.
  He treated his time in the Senate like his time in the Army--he 
volunteered for the most difficult assignments here in the Senate. For 
example, Saturday night it was late--we thought we may have to be in 
here all night--and he volunteered to be here all night, not having to 
be relieved. He agreed to be here all night. He said: That is what I am 
here for.
  He served the people of Montana admirably in the Senate. I thank him 
for his service over the past year.
  I thank his family--his wife Janet, his sons Michael and Taylor, and 
granddaughter Kennedy--for their sacrifice in supporting his work here 
in Washington, DC.
  I wish him the very best. He was the lieutenant governor of Montana, 
a job I held in the past, and we talked about that.

[[Page S6829]]

  I don't know what the next chapter in his life will be, but knowing 
the courage and integrity of John Walsh, it will be an important 
chapter.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Baldwin). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. WYDEN. I ask unanimous consent to speak as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, my friend Senator Thune and I are on the 
floor this afternoon to speak together about the Internet Tax Freedom 
Act. Before that, I wish to spend a few minutes discussing Senator 
Rockefeller and his extraordinary accomplishments. I know that Senator 
Thune, after he and I have spoken about the Internet Tax Freedom Act, 
will make some additional remarks. I commend the work of Senator Thune 
on charitable contributions. He and I have led the effort to protect 
charitable donations. Neither of us consider charity efforts as some 
kind of tax loophole. We consider them a lifeline for the American 
people.
  So I look forward to the remarks of the Senator from South Dakota on 
several issues.