[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 188 (Thursday, November 29, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7232-S7233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO HEIDI HEITKAMP
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, at the end of each session of Congress, it
is a tradition for the Senate to pause for a moment to acknowledge and
express our appreciation for the service of each Senator who will not
be returning in the next Congress. With that in mind, I would like to
take a moment to express my gratitude to U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of
North Dakota.
During the past 6 years, those of us who had a chance to come to know
and work with Senator Heitkamp have been impressed with her dedication
to the people of her home State, her involvement with tax issues, and
her willingness to work with members on both sides of the aisle to find
solutions to the problems and concerns of the people of North Dakota.
I share a connection with Senator Heitkamp, who is a Senator from a
smaller rural State. Because of this shared background, we have had the
opportunity to work on various issues. But beyond our work together, I
have enjoyed knowing Senator Heitkamp. Heidi is a remarkable person.
She is the first female Senator elected from North Dakota and a
survivor of breast cancer. She would feel comfortable in my home State
of Wyoming, the Equality State, where we know what it is like to have
women trailblazers. She may be leaving us after this Congress, but she
does so knowing that during her time she has made a significant
difference in the lives of North Dakotans and in our country.
[[Page S7233]]
She joined the U.S. Senate in 2013 and has served in a Congress often
divided by partisan views. She has been willing to work with President
Trump and to work across the aisle on many issues, all for the good of
the people of North Dakota. I have been one of those she has worked
with, and I am happy to call her a friend.
The accomplishments that brought her to the Senate are substantial.
Before serving in the U.S. Senate, Senator Heitkamp served as North
Dakota's tax commissioner and, later, attorney general.
I have had the privilege of working with Senator Heitkamp on many
issues. Notably, we worked together on an issue that has long been
important to Wyoming, forging parity between brick-and-mortar stores
and e-commerce. During her time as tax commissioner, North Dakota
sought to make an out-of-State mail order retailer, which had no
physical presence in the State, collect and pay use taxes on sales into
the State. After entering Congress, Heidi cosponsored my bill, the
Marketplace Fairness Act, seeking to level the playing field for brick-
and-mortar retail stores and out-of-State online sellers. Later, we
worked on amicus briefs with several of our colleagues, and our efforts
to create this level playing fields went all the way to the Supreme
Court in the case South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., a case in which the
U.S. Supreme Court sided with our position. These efforts have been
such an important part of my time in the Senate, and I thank Senator
Heitkamp for her work on this issue.
Heidi has consistently and tirelessly fought for the people of North
Dakota. She has worked in the best interests of small businesses and
contributed in a significant way to culture of the Senate and the
Nation as a whole.
If her past is any indication of her future, I think it is clear that
she will be closing the door on this great chapter of her life and
moving on to something new. Whatever that may prove to be I am certain
it will make good use of her abilities, background, and experience.
My best wishes to Heidi, her husband Darwin, and their children as
they enter the next chapter in their lives. I thank her for her
willingness to serve the people of North Dakota and the people of the
United States. There are countless ways of saying farewell, one of my
favorites is: Happy Trails. Until we meet again.
____________________