[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 184 (Thursday, December 17, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S8777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BRIAN PERKINS

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, on a different topic, just for a moment I 
would like to indicate that it is time, unfortunately, for me to say 
good-bye to one of my long-time employees, Brian Perkins of Wichita, 
KS. A Kansan through and through is departing our staff at the end of 
the year.
  Brian came to our office when I was a House Member in 2009 and 
followed me here to the U.S. Senate. Among the issues that I consider 
most important as we try to care and work on behalf of Kansans and 
Americans are issues related to health care and issues related to 
education. Brian has been front and center in our office, day in and 
day out, on these issues.
  I have many wonderful and qualified staff members, but I think Brian 
is the role model for all of them, including for me. We have seen Brian 
time and again step up and act above and beyond the norm. In every 
setting he is genuine, he is sincere, and he demonstrates his care for 
Kansans in each and every circumstance. He is intelligent and knows the 
details of health care and education law, but the compelling factor 
about Brian is that he cares so much about getting it right and doing 
things for the right reasons.
  I understand there is sometimes a lack of appreciation by Americans 
across the country for the people who work here. I would exclude me and 
other Members of Congress from this statement, but I would think that 
almost without exception all of our staffs are worthy; those who work 
in the Senate, who work in our offices, and who work in committees are 
worthy of esteem and respect. These are people who work hard every day 
for a good and worthy cause. Most of them have an interest in policy or 
an interest in politics and decided that Washington, DC, the Nation's 
Capital was a place where they could do something for the good of their 
country. Brian exemplifies that.
  It is not easy to say good-bye to Brian. As Senators, we spend a lot 
of time with our staff. I want to express my gratitude to him on behalf 
of my family and me. I wish him and his family, Beth and their 
children, all the best as they move closer to family. It is another 
attribute of Brian; I think he has the sense that he hates to leave, 
but he knows he has a responsibility to his family. That is something 
Kansans also admire and respect.
  Brian, thank you very much for all the hours, days, weeks, months, 
and years in which you have advanced the good cause of government for 
the people of our State and the people of our country.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. SASSE. Thank you, Mr. President.
  Mr. INHOFE. Will the Senator yield?
  Mr. SASSE. Yes.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that at the 
conclusion of the remarks by the Senator of Nebraska and the Senator of 
Georgia that I be recognized along with the Senator from New Mexico.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

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