[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 4, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6026-S6027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN McCAIN

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I wish to honor the life and legacy of 
my friend and colleague, Senator John McCain. Over these past months, 
his presence has been dearly missed, and I must admit it is still hard 
to imagine that John isn't coming back.
  I want to associate myself with the remarks of my colleagues who have 
so eloquently discussed John's lasting legacy as a great statesman and 
as a true American hero. I join with them and so many Americans across 
the country in mourning his passing.
  As many people know, John had a special relationship with New 
Hampshire, a relationship forged during his Presidential campaigns. We 
often considered John one of our own, a true Granite Stater. He just 
seemed to click with the Granite State; in fact, he

[[Page S6027]]

would call New Hampshire his ``second favorite state.''
  Throughout his many visits to New Hampshire, Granite Staters 
appreciated his candor and sincerity. The Straight Talk Express wasn't 
just a slogan--the John McCain you saw was the John McCain you got.
  Most memorable, during a campaign stop in Wolfeboro in 2008, a mother 
stood up and asked John to wear a bracelet with her son's name it. Her 
son, Matthew Stanley, was only 22 years old when he died serving in 
Iraq. She wanted to make sure that her son's sacrifice wasn't 
forgotten, that he didn't die in vain. John said he would be honored to 
wear the bracelet. From then on, it was on his wrist everywhere he 
went. In his final days, John continued to wear the bracelet of Matthew 
Stanley on his wrist. Until the very end, John was true to his word and 
true to his convictions.
  As my chairman on the Armed Services Committee, it was always a great 
honor to work with John on the annual defense authorization bill. The 
issues we addressed were so important to him. His devotion to service 
and the Armed Forces not only ran deep in his character, but in his 
family legacy. Delivering a good and timely defense bill was John's No. 
1 priority.
  One issue I had the great honor of working with John on every year 
was providing additional visas to Afghan interpreters and support staff 
who help our troops and diplomats on the ground. For their service, 
these men and women are often targeted by the Taliban and other 
terrorist groups. John recognized that we have a profound obligation to 
provide a safe haven to these Afghan allies who risk everything. John 
led this fight because it is just the right thing to do. He understood 
that the solemn commitment to leave no man behind extends to all who 
fight, and just like John, America would be true to its word.
  I also had the pleasure of traveling internationally with John to 
represent the United States and observe U.S. missions. As many of my 
colleagues can attest, rarely was a minute wasted on a McCain 
delegation. One of his great passions was human rights and supporting 
those on the side of freedom and democracy around the world. Whether 
that be students seeking academic freedom in Belarus or newly elected 
leaders in Tunisia, he always made time to encourage and support their 
efforts.
  John cared greatly for the U.S. Senate and was deeply worried about 
the current state of our politics. I believe that the floor speech that 
Senator McCain delivered soon after learning of his cancer diagnosis 
will echo for decades to come. We can fight like hell for what we 
believe in, but we must always recognize that we are fundamentally 
Americans who have more in common than we have differences. Compromise 
in a legislative body is essential, not a dirty word. Political 
expediency must take a backseat to what is best for the country. We 
should all take this message to heart every day as we seek to address 
the many challenges our country faces.
  My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the McCain family. I wish 
for them strength and perseverance during this very difficult time.
  There will never be another John McCain, and the Senate will not be 
the same without him.

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