[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DUSTY VAUGHAN-

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the service of 
my longtime staff member and dear friend, Dusty Vaughan.
  After 14 years of service, he is turning a new page in what has been 
an impressive and dedicated career of service to the people of 
Nebraska.
  Dusty was the first person I hired after I was elected to represent 
District 43 in the Nebraska State Legislature in 2004. He served in my 
legislative office for my entire time in the unicameral, first as my 
legislative aide and then as legal counsel of the Transportation and 
Telecommunication Committee, which I chaired for 6 years. As a state 
senator, I relied on Dusty's expertise to make the best possible 
decisions that improved our State and helped Nebraska's families.
  Together we accomplished a lot. We got results and Dusty worked 
tirelessly to get the ``big stuff' done. Our proudest achievement from 
our legislative days was securing the passage of LB 84, the Build 
Nebraska Act, which dedicated a quarter cent of every sales tax dollar 
to a new highway fund in the State of Nebraska. This was a policy 
change for the State and is viewed as a major policy accomplishment in 
the last 40 years.
  In 2012, after I was elected by the people of Nebraska to serve in 
this Chamber, one of my first decisions was to make Dusty my State 
director. In the years that followed, when I wasn't here in Washington, 
I was likely travelling on the road with him across Nebraska. From 
Scottsbluff to Omaha, we visited countless families, organizations, 
schools, hospitals, and small businesses. I always enjoyed our many 
lunches, ice cream breaks, and discussions about everything from policy 
issues to our families. And we have certainly had a lot of laughs--and 
a few tears--over these many years.
  Each and every day Dusty brought unmatched integrity and heart to 
work with him. He is a wonderful example of the true goodness of the 
State of Nebraska. I want to thank Dusty's family, his wife, Julie, two 
sons Gabe and Kellen, and his two beautiful daughters, Tatum and Zoe, 
who lent much of his time, including some busy weekends. I know they 
are proud of him, as I am.
  Dusty has shown them what it means to be a true humble servant of our 
State.
  Dusty, I thank you for your positivity, your loyalty, your 
friendship, and your faith in Nebraskans. I wish you the very best on 
this next chapter of your career, and I know you will continue to get 
the big stuff done and make us proud.

                          ____________________