[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Remembering Nathan Lane

  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a Foreign Service 
Officer of the United States and a former Pearson Fellow in my office, 
who was tragically killed in an accident while serving his country 
abroad.
  After serving in my office for a yearlong fellowship, Nathan Lane was 
assigned to the Poland desk at the U.S. State Department here in 
Washington. Sadly, while on temporary duty in Poland, he was involved 
in a car accident. While he was initially hospitalized, his injuries 
proved too severe, and, surrounded by his loving family, he passed away 
on November 2.
  Nathan was a committed public servant who joined the State Department 
in 2000 and served in nearly every corner of the globe. He and his wife 
Sara and, later, his son Peter travelled from Mexico, to Russia, to 
Belarus, to Vietnam, and finally to Kenya. After his assignment in 
Kenya, he had the ``misfortune'' to be assigned to my office through a 
Pearson Fellowship. Here, my team and I got to see his diligence and 
dedication every day firsthand.
  During his time in my office, Nathan proved invaluable. His knowledge 
and expertise of foreign policy gave him a mastery of the portfolio, as 
revealed by his exceptionally researched policy papers on important 
international issues and matters that my team and I tackled in the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
  Nathan's understanding of the dynamics of foreign relations and his 
skills at compiling pertinent information allowed him to craft the 
soon-to-be-released report on China. This product of the Subcommittee 
on East Asia, the Pacific, and Cybersecurity Policy will be a 
comprehensive report on the activities of China in the Indo-Pacific 
region. Absent Nathan's diligence and dedication, this report would not 
have been possible.
  Additionally, Nathan drafted a resolution urging the formation of an 
unprecedented treaty alliance between the United States and Indo-
Pacific nations to collectively guard against growing cyber threats. 
The Cyber League of Indo-Pacific States, or CLIPS, was Nathan's 
brainchild. He was passionate about this idea and rightfully proud of 
this resolution, and my team and I are honored to carry on this torch.
  Of course, Nathan contributed so much more than just policy 
expertise. His kind heart and curious nature made him a friend to my 
staff and me. He would readily help those around him, even with the 
smallest tasks, without a whisper of complaint and quickly fit in as 
one of the team.
  Nathan had many passions beyond foreign policy. He loved chess, and 
every so often, we would catch him pulling up an ongoing game between 
times of busyness. He loved running, and it wasn't uncommon for him to 
step away from his desk at a convenient time to go for a quick jog 
around Capitol Hill.
  Perhaps his greatest passion, though, was baseball. Indeed, one of 
his most timeless contributions to our office was his membership of 
Coors & Corn, the joint softball team between Senator Sasse's office 
and mine. We may not have won it all that year, but we certainly would 
not have stood a chance without Nathan. As we celebrate the World 
Series in Washington, Nathan was such a great Nats fan that, every time 
we cheer for that team, we will also be cheering for him.
  He was one of a kind. He was cheerful, eager, and caring; his loss 
will be felt by all of us who knew him. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in praying for his family, his wife, and his son and commemorating the 
man who graced so many of us with his compassion.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.