[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S7090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY ISAKSON

  Ms. DUCKWORTH. Madam President, I rise today to recognize my 
colleague and friend, Senator Johnny Isakson, for a lifetime of service 
to our Nation that started with his time as a loadmaster in the Georgia 
Air National Guard, to his tenure in the Georgia General Assembly, to 
his years of public service in the U.S. House of Representatives and 
the U.S. Senate.
  With Johnny's retirement, the Senate is losing a truly great leader; 
a man of courage, whose dedication to this country has inspired me more 
times than I can count; a man of honor, who has worked tirelessly for 
the veteran community; and a man of compassion, who I am so grateful to 
be able to call a dear friend.
  We will never be able to fully thank Johnny for all he has done for 
the rest of us, but today, I want to try. Johnny, thank you for being 
there for me at Walter Reed when I was a Wounded Warrior, just home 
from combat. Thank you for being by my side last spring, a decade and a 
half later, on my first trip back to Iraq.
  Thank you for always being there when it matters the most, for being 
such an incredible advocate for our veterans, for giving the absolute 
best birthday and holiday presents, and for showing what it means to 
lead a life guided by integrity, a life defined by service.
  You have made our Nation stronger and our Union more perfect. You 
will be missed every time this Chamber is gaveled into session.

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