[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KELLY AYOTTE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, ``God gave us two ears so we would 
listen more than talk.''
  It is a simple phrase that many of us have likely heard before, but 
to Senator Kelly Ayotte, it is the best piece of advice she says she 
ever received, and it is a proverb she has lived by during her time in 
the Senate. In fact, it is how she got her start here in the first 
place.
  As New Hampshire's first female attorney general, Kelly listened to 
the concerns of those around her. She heard their concerns about the 
direction our country was going, about the numerous security threats 
facing our Nation, and about out-of-control spending. She could have 
just sat on the sidelines as these problems escalated--it certainly 
would have been the easier choice--but she chose to jump in the game 
and work to solve them instead. From day one, Senator Ayotte rolled up 
her sleeves and got to work. As the most prominent New Hampshire 
newspaper put it, she has never been a ``freshman back-bencher,'' she 
has been a dynamo from the start.
  I can't say I was surprised. I still remember the first time I heard 
about Kelly. It was from our former colleague Judd Gregg, who told me 
about this rising star in New Hampshire. Boy, was he right. It didn't 
take long for everyone to reach a similar conclusion.
  Kelly is tough, she is a problem solver, and she is a fighter. 
Senator Ayotte doesn't view the challenges of this job as obstacles 
either. She prefers to call them opportunities. She says: ``It's how 
you react to those bends in the road that will make the biggest 
difference in your life.'' During her 6 years here, she has clearly 
made a difference in the lives of a lot of others as well.
  Senator Ayotte has helped make a difference as a champion for jobs 
and as a champion for the economy. As someone who has helped start a 
small business, she knows firsthand how regulations can stifle growth. 
She fought to cut through the redtape and the burdensome rules. She 
cosponsored a law to help small businesses expand and refinance, and 
she worked to strengthen manufacturing and support job training.
  Senator Ayotte has helped make a difference as a leader on combating 
opioid abuse. As a former prosecutor who has been among the loudest 
voices drawing attention to this horrible epidemic, she knows how 
devastating it has been in her State and across the country. She worked 
with first responders and families to figure out how to address this 
heartbreaking challenge. She sponsored and helped pass comprehensive 
legislation that will help us tackle it. Now, in no small part because 
of her efforts, we will pass critical funding this very week that will 
help our communities begin to heal.
  Like New Hampshire, my home State of Kentucky has been among the 
hardest hit by this epidemic. It has been a privilege working with my 
friend to help do something about it.
  Senator Ayotte has helped make a difference as an expert on national 
security issues too. This military spouse didn't need someone to tell 
her what it means to serve nor what it means for veterans and their 
families. She mastered the issue almost overnight. She fought for 
language in the VA reform legislation to expand choice when it comes to 
veterans' health care. She helped prevent dangerous Guantanamo 
terrorists from being moved to U.S. soil, and she has long spoken out 
about the threat posed by Iran. She just voted to extend some critical 
sanctions against the regime last week, and Senator Ayotte has helped 
lead efforts to counter its ballistic missile program for years.
  It is clear she has been a leader on national security issues right 
from the start. I was proud to have Senator Ayotte join me and other 
colleagues on a congressional delegation I led to the Middle East not 
long after she took office. It was evident then what a difference she 
would make on these important matters. She has regularly joined in 
efforts with two other leading voices in our conference on defense, 
too, Senators McCain and Graham. Together, they are the ``Three 
Amigos'' or, as our former colleague Joe Lieberman might point out, we 
should really call them the ``Three Amigos 2.0.''
  Either way, here is what is clear. It is an equal partnership, one of 
mutual respect and trust, one that has strengthened our conference and 
defense policy, and one that I am sure Senators McCain and Graham would 
tell you has enriched both their Senate work and their lives. I am sure 
many other colleagues feel exactly the same way.
  Senator Ayotte set out to make an impact. She clearly made one on her 
State, her country, for her constituents, and her colleagues, but I 
know Senator Ayotte would tell you the most cherished moments of her 
life aren't those spent in classified briefings or on congressional 
delegations, they are the ones spent with her family--with her husband 
Joe and their two children, 9-year-old Jake and 12-year-old Kate. They 
have always been her biggest fans. They are a constant source of 
comfort and support. Sometimes they like to jump in on the action 
themselves.
  In fact, Kate recently made a cameo--alongside her mother--in an ad 
featuring the two shooting hoops and practicing layups. From what I 
hear, Kate may even have her sights on a future in politics. She once 
advised her mom not to run for President.
  Senator Ayotte was taken aback. She said she wasn't planning on it 
but wondered why she would ask in the first place. Well, Kate replied: 
``Because I want to be the first woman President.''
  I guess it is true what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the 
tree. It is not surprising when you consider the example Kelly Ayotte 
has set, not just for Kate but for so many others as well. If anyone 
can do it all, it is Kelly Ayotte. From sports practices and Lego 
competitions to 5Ks and trips to the largest lake in New Hampshire, the 
time with her kids is what truly brings Kelly joy.
  As all of you know, this job can make you appreciate the little 
things even more. It is why you will never hear her complain about 
waiting in the pickup line at school. It is why she enjoys spending her 
weekend grocery shopping at the Market Basket, probably picking up the 
ingredients for Grape-Nuts pudding--whatever that is. Apparently, it is 
one of Kelly's favorites. I will just take her word for that.
  I wish to acknowledge what a privilege it has been getting to know 
Senator Ayotte and working with her over the past few years. Her impact 
has been immeasurable, her friendship indisputable. I know she has made 
her family proud as well.
  I want to conclude with a mantra that Kelly and Joe rely upon when 
facing a challenge: ``Brush the dirt off and get back in the game.'' It 
is a good reminder for each of us. I feel confident in saying that 
Senator Ayotte will be back in the game, looking out for her State and 
making our country stronger and safer no matter where her next journey 
leads.

                          ____________________