[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 159 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Tribute to Tom Hawkins

  Now, Mr. President, on an entirely different matter, it is with great 
reluctance that I close by marking the recent departure of a trusted 
adviser, a loyal friend, and a true patriot from my leadership staff.
  Tom Hawkins served as my national security advisor for over a decade. 
Over that time, he became a familiar face to so many around the Senate. 
In fact, while I told my staff I was waiting for a quiet day to offer a 
fulsome tribute to Tom's service here on the floor, I have to admit I 
was really just hoping one of my colleagues would convince him to stick 
around so I wouldn't have to.
  Of course, for Tom, with his incredibly important portfolio and his 
diligence and dedication, there was really no such thing as a quiet 
day. Long after the lights went off here on the Senate floor, Tom was 
reviewing intelligence, conducting classified meetings, and making sure 
my colleagues and I were equipped to make serious decisions about our 
Nation's security and footing in the international system. It was 
impossible to walk away from a meeting with Tom and not grasp the 
serious, real-world consequences of our work. After all, he had lived 
them.
  During his own decorated military career, Tom led marines in combat. 
He understood firsthand the price of freedom. This was clear from his 
very first days on my staff. From those early months, in the heat of 
negotiations over a new strategy for our involvement in Iraq, I never 
doubted that Tom was tirelessly committed to the brave men and women in 
uniform who continue to serve our Nation--so tirelessly, in fact, that 
traveling with Tom and our military personnel abroad was a lot like 
traveling with our dear, late friend, Chairman John McCain--cover a lot 
of ground, meet a lot of people, and sleep when you get back home. As 
Tom moves on from the Senate, I sincerely hope that he will take a 
break from his grueling pace.
  In fact, Tom, that is an order.
  I know Tom's wife, Jennifer, and his daughters, Emily and Abigail, 
will back me up on that one. Very few people will ever know the full 
extent of Tom's service and his sacrifice, but believe me--America is 
safer and more secure for his efforts, and in the Halls of this 
institution, which he served so faithfully for so long, he will be 
sorely missed. Never once--not one time--did Tom put his personal views 
ahead of my own or his personal interests ahead of the best interests 
of our country. He was always faithful to me, to this body, and to our 
Nation. That was Tom--always faithful. To put it another way, semper 
fidelis.
  On behalf of the Senate and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, our men and 
women in uniform around the globe, and the entire Nation, I thank Tom 
Hawkins again for his many years of patriotic service, and I extend our 
very best wishes for all that the future holds.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cotton). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.