[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 160 (Wednesday, September 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5638-S5642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                  DACA

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, it has been exactly 90 days since the 
Supreme Court rejected President Trump's effort to end deportation 
protection for Dreamers. Dreamers, of course, are young immigrants who 
came to the United States as children, toddlers, or infants and who 
grew up in this country believing they were part of America, only to 
learn when they were old enough to be told, as teenagers, that they 
were undocumented through no fault of their own.
  In an opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court held 
that the President's attempt to rescind the Deferred Action for 
Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, was ``arbitrary and capricious.''
  It was 10 years ago that I joined with then-Republican Senator Dick 
Lugar, of Indiana, on a bipartisan basis, to call on President Obama to 
use his legal authority to protect Dreamers from deportation. President 
Obama heard our call. He responded by creating the DACA Program. DACA 
provides temporary protection to Dreamers from deportation on a 2-year 
basis, which is renewable if they register with the government, pay a 
fee, and pass criminal and national security background checks. More 
than 800,000 Dreamers came forward to sign up for DACA.
  DACA unleashed their full potential, and they could see there might 
be a future. They began to contribute to our country as soldiers, 
teachers, and small business owners. More than 200,000 DACA recipients 
are essential critical infrastructure workers. That is not my choice of 
words. It is the definition of President Trump's Department of Homeland 
Security. More than 200,000 DACA recipients are essential critical 
infrastructure workers. Among these

[[Page S5639]]

essential workers, 41,700 DACA recipients are in healthcare. They are 
doctors, intensive care nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists.
  Despite this incredible story of these innocent children coming to 
the United States while not having legal status in this country but 
having fear of deportation and still being determined to be part of 
America's future, as well as the fact that they would serve our country 
as essential workers and healthcare workers, on September 5, 2017, 
President Trump repealed DACA. Hundreds of thousands of Dreamers faced 
losing their work permits and being deported to countries they may not 
even remember.
  The Federal court stepped in and ordered the Trump administration to 
continue DACA for Dreamers who had already received this protection. 
However, Dreamers who had not already received DACA were blocked from 
applying from this protection for nearly 3 years while the case 
languished in court. The Center for American Progress estimates that 
approximately 300,000 Dreamers had been unable to apply for the program 
because the case was in court.
  On June 19, the day after the Supreme Court rejected President 
Trump's repeal of DACA, I led a letter from 43 Democratic Senators to 
the President. We called on the President to follow the law, to 
immediately comply with the Supreme Court's decision and reopen DACA 
for those who were eligible to apply. It has been 3 months now. We 
haven't received any response from President Trump, and the Trump 
administration refuses to reopen DACA.
  In July, a Federal judge issued an order for the Trump administration 
to begin receiving new applications for DACA. Instead, Acting--and let 
me underline ``Acting''--Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad 
Wolf has issued a memo saying that the DHS will ``reject all initial 
requests for DACA.''
  Let's be clear. The Supreme Court of the United States rejected 
President Trump's repeal of DACA. That means DACA returns to its 
original status, and the Trump administration, under Court order, must 
reopen the program, and it must do it now. Instead, Mr. Wolf is saying 
the DHS will turn away 300,000 applicants who are Dreamers who are 
eligible for DACA but who have not had a chance to apply.
  It is important to note that the nonpartisan Government 
Accountability Office has concluded that Acting Secretary Wolf is 
illegally serving. This calls into serious question any legal authority 
he claims in issuing a memo to refuse to reopen DACA.
  This administration, which is telling America it is dedicated to law 
and order, is in open defiance of the Supreme Court. The stakes are 
high both for the rule of law and, just as importantly, for the lives 
of Dreamers. To ignore this is to ignore a legitimate order of the 
highest Court in the land. Republicans and Democrats in Congress should 
come together to compel this President to follow the law and 
immediately comply with the Supreme Court's mandate.
  On June 4 of last year, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6, 
the American Dream and Promise Act. This legislation would give 
Dreamers a path to citizenship--my goal for years. It passed on a 
strong bipartisan vote. It has been pending in the Senate, sitting on 
the desk of Republican leader Mitch McConnell, for more than 12 months.
  After the Supreme Court decision, I sent a letter, signed by all 47 
Democrats, calling on Senator McConnell to immediately give us a vote 
on the Dream and Promise Act. It has been 3 months. Still no reply.
  The Dream and Promise Act would also provide a path to citizenship 
for 400,000 immigrants who have been living in the United States on 
temporary protected status. More than 90 percent of them are originally 
from El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti. Most of them have lived in the 
United States for over 20 years.
  As with DACA, TPS recipients must register with the government, pay a 
fee, and clear criminal and national security background checks. Like 
DACA recipients, TPS recipients are making important contributions to 
America. More than 130,000 TPS holders are essential critical 
infrastructure workers, and 11,600 are healthcare workers.
  My friend, the Senator from Arkansas, just came to the floor and 
lauded our healthcare heroes across America in the midst of this 
pandemic. I have given that same speech. I think we all have, and we 
mean it. Yet did you ever stop and think how many of those healthcare 
workers are the DACA recipients, Dreamers, TPS holders--the so-called 
immigrants--whom we want to reject and remove from this country? We 
praise them on one hand, and we tell them to get the heck out of the 
United States on the other. How can that be consistent?
  Two years ago, I negotiated bipartisan legislation with a path to 
citizenship for DACA and TPS recipients. President Trump profanely 
dismissed our bill in an Oval Office meeting that has now become 
infamous. Instead, the President is trying to rescind TPS protections 
and deport hundreds of thousands of immigrants from our country.
  A Federal judge concluded that the President broke the law and 
blocked his effort to end TPS. Earlier this week, in a divided 
decision, two Republican-appointed judges ruled the other way and 
lifted the injunctions. This decision makes it even more important that 
the Senate immediately consider the Dream and Promise Act.
  Over the years since I introduced the DREAM Act, I decided the only 
way to tell the story of this bill was to tell the story of the 
Dreamers. I have come to the floor 125 times to tell the stories. Today 
will be the 126th. I want to tell you the story of these two people. I 
will start with Esmeralda Tovar-Mora. In this photo, she is with her 
husband, whom I will talk about more in just a moment.

  Esmerelda is the 126th Dreamer's story I have told in the Senate, and 
it is a good one. She came to the United States from Mexico at the age 
of 2, so she obviously had no voice in that decision. She grew up in 
Hutchinson, KS.
  She sent me a letter, and here is what she said about growing up:

       Growing up in the United States has been the only thing 
     that I've known. Pledging allegiance to the American flag and 
     singing the national anthem on a daily basis made me believe 
     that I was truly American.

  She was a good student--no, she was excellent. In high school, she 
was a member of the National Honor Society and president of the Key 
Club. She sang in her church choir and played on the tennis team. She 
graduated magna cum laude.
  Esmerelda's experiences in the Key Club visiting nursing homes 
convinced her she wanted a career in healthcare.
  Thanks to DACA--thanks to DACA--Esmerelda was able to work as a 
waitress to support herself through college. She is now a case manager 
at a mental health center and a medication aide in an Alzheimer's ward 
in Hutchinson, KS.
  She is married to Michael Mora, seen in this picture. Specialist Mora 
serves in the Kansas National Guard and recently returned from a 9-
month tour in the Middle East--National Guardsman, 9 months in the 
Middle East--serving a country that will not recognize his wife as a 
citizen.
  Let me introduce you to someone else. This is special. This beautiful 
little girl is Esmerelda and Michael's daughter Rose. She just turned 
4.
  Esmerelda is on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, and here 
is what she said:

       We've been on lockdown since March 30. Since family members 
     can't visit, my patients are scared and lonely. Many have 
     started asking me to call them Grandma or Grandpa, a little 
     crumb of comfort at a time when the world around them is 
     going crazy. I'm happy to be their adopted granddaughter. It 
     eases the pain of scrubbing my hands until they're raw and 
     the anxiety that I could infect my beautiful family. It also 
     makes me happy to know that I am appreciated here in 
     Hutchinson, because right now I've got an added stress: The 
     U.S. government wants to deport me.

  I want to thank Esmerelda for her service. She is truly a health 
hero--an immigrant health hero. She is a DACA health hero. She is 
putting herself and her family at risk every day to protect others--
Americans--loving members of families, and it may be their last day on 
Earth. She should not also have to worry about whether she is going to 
be deported and her family torn apart. Isn't it enough that her husband 
is serving our country to prove how much this family loves America?
  Would we be stronger as a country if we tell Esmerelda Tovar-Mora to 
leave

[[Page S5640]]

or if she becomes an American citizen and continues to work on the 
frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic? I don't think the answer is even 
hard. I think it is clear.
  Esmerelda and hundreds of thousands of other Dreamers and TPS holders 
are counting on those of us in the Senate to solve this crisis that 
President Trump created.
  I am sorry that Senate Republicans are ignoring President Trump's 
defiance of the Supreme Court and refusing to bring the Dream and 
Promise Act to the floor.
  As long as I am a U.S. Senator, I will be coming to this floor to 
fight for Esmerelda Tovar-Mora and all immigrants. It would be an 
American tragedy to deport this brave and talented healthcare worker in 
the midst of this pandemic. We must ensure that Esmerelda and hundreds 
of others of our essential workforce are not forced to stop working 
when we need them more than ever, and we must give them a chance--just 
a chance--to earn their way to citizenship.
  Mr. President, it has been my honor to represent Esmerelda and the 
hundreds of thousands of Dreamers over the years. They have never 
disappointed me--never.
  Many times we brought to the floor of the Senate the Dream Act, bills 
containing the Dream Act. We have managed to pass them a few times but 
never at the same time as the House, so they have never become law. So 
for decades--literally for decades--these young people have waited for 
their chance. They have done everything they can possibly do to prove 
they love this country. What will it take to convince my colleagues? 
What will it take to convince them that losing this beautiful young 
woman, with this pretty little girl, Rose, and telling this man, who 
served our country in the Kansas National Guard in a 9-month tour of 
duty in the Middle East--what will it take to convince my Senate 
colleagues that these are worthy people to become American citizens?
  Some of us just lucked out; we were born here. There was never a 
moment where we made a decision; we were Americans from the start. But 
for others, they have had to prove their way into this country. Hasn't 
this wonderful young woman proved her way into America? Hasn't she told 
us why she should be given the right to become--a great honor--a 
citizen of the United States of America?
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                 Unanimous Consent Request--S. Res. 697

  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, the brave men and women of our 
law enforcement are facing an onslaught of violence, harassment, and 
abuse. They deserve better. These selfless individuals are true heroes 
who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.
  Right now, as Hurricane Sally moves across Florida's panhandle and 
Alabama, causing massive flooding and storm surge, law enforcement 
officials are working tirelessly to keep people safe. They are going 
out in these extremely dangerous conditions to rescue those in need.
  We can never truly repay them for their service and their sacrifice. 
Throughout my 8 years as Governor, we lost 51 members of law 
enforcement in the line of duty, and you wouldn't believe the bravery 
of these individuals and the strength of the families and communities 
who support them.
  As Governor and now Senator, supporting and investing in our law 
enforcement has always been a top priority. Because of our efforts, 
Florida has a 49-year low in our crime rate. Americans are moving to 
Florida in droves, not just for low taxes and great weather but because 
we have safe communities, and that is thanks to our hard-working law 
enforcement. That is why it is so disturbing to see the harassment, the 
insults, and the abuse from the liberal mob.
  I remember what it was like for American soldiers coming back from 
Vietnam. Whether you agreed or disagreed with that war, the abuse and 
insults directed at our military men and women were disgusting and 
disgraceful. We are seeing the same thing today directed at our men and 
women in blue. It is just as disgraceful.
  The radical left wants to defund the police--the most dangerous 
policy idea of my lifetime. Think about that for a minute. If you 
defund the police, who do you call when your house gets broken into? 
Who is going to patrol the streets to prevent drug trafficking and 
violence? Who is going to investigate murders and rapes and assaults 
and robberies? Who is going to protect our schools? We only have to 
turn on our TVs for the answer.
  Over the past several months, rioters and thugs, filled with hate 
inspired by this goal of defunding the police, have turned their words 
into violent action in cities across this great country--throwing 
homemade bombs at officers and setting fire to police stations.
  We have watched Democratic mayors and Governors turn their backs on 
law-and-order and try to pretend that these violent demonstrations are 
somehow peaceful, and their partners in the media have helped.
  This past weekend, we saw another horrific act of senseless violence 
as two sheriff's deputies in Los Angeles were ambushed by a deranged 
gunman. In the evening, rioters surrounded the hospital where the 
deputies were fighting for their lives and chanted ``We hope they 
die.'' We hope they die? We should all be denouncing this heinous act--
all of us--and praying for the speedy and full recovery of the 
deputies. We should all be denouncing the cruel, heartless, and frankly 
pathetic disregard for human life that was clearly evident from these 
protesters.
  This anti-police mentality is raging in American cities and 
threatening the future of America as we know it. Our law enforcement 
officers dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, and we 
can't let these acts of violence continue.
  We can all agree that reforms need to be made. That is why it is so 
unbelievable that my Democratic colleagues refuse to even debate the 
police reform bill led by Senator Scott of South Carolina. Instead of 
actually doing something and having a chance at providing healing to 
our Nation, Senate Democrats turned their backs on our law enforcement.
  But we can't let the radical left use the crimes of a few bad actors 
to demonize good, hard-working police officers--officers like Sergeant 
Adrian Rodriguez and Sergeant James Henry of the Lakeland Police 
Department. They began the department's Neighborhood Program over 6 
years ago and lead two outstanding teams of officers who do everything 
from reading at the local kindergarten classes to assisting a SWAT team 
with the service of high-risk drug warrants. No matter the assignment, 
their teams work nonstop to build community pride in the citizens' 
police department.
  Officer Jimmie Bizzle of the Tampa International Airport Police 
Department is dedicated to bettering his community and supporting 
individuals who experience homelessness. He trains his colleagues on 
how to connect homeless individuals with the resources and services 
they need.
  Corporal Margo Fergusson of the Tampa Police Department spent years 
of her career defending and protecting children by investigating crimes 
in the department's Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit, working tirelessly 
to hold offenders accountable. During the pandemic, she has been 
working with her fellow officers and local schools to disbursing food 
to families who might need a helping hand.
  Detective Michelle Mahoney of the Clearwater Police Department is 
part of the department's Refuse to Lose Program, which engages the 
faith-based community with youth offenders to help them succeed and 
stay on a good path, offering services like tutoring, employment, and 
mental health help. She is known for her empathy, understanding, and 
compassion for her community.
  Instead of attacking and defunding the police and starving these 
hard-working men and women of the resources they need to do their job, 
we need to do the opposite. We need to fund the police. We need to 
recognize and support the individuals who have worked so hard to make 
our Nation the safe America we know and love. We

[[Page S5641]]

need to reject dangerous proposals that threaten our communities and 
strip the safety we hold dear. It is time to stand up and say 
``enough.'
  Defunding the police is un-American and the antithesis of the values 
that make America great. Police officers across the country risk their 
lives every day to keep people safe, and they deserve our appreciation. 
They uphold their oath to serve and protect.
  Today, I am introducing a Senate resolution to condemn the widespread 
violence, the hatred and vilification of law enforcement, and express 
our unwavering support for the brave men and women in uniform who 
protect us.
  I am proud to have Senator Daines here today and thank him for his 
unwavering commitment to law enforcement and for joining us today. We 
ask that all of our colleagues join us in support.
  To the sheriffs, police chiefs, sheriff's deputies, police officers, 
highway patrol, State troopers, Federal marshals, and many other law 
enforcement officials who serve in Florida and across the country, 
thank you. It is time that you get the respect you deserve, and I won't 
accept anything less.
  Mr. President, at this time I would like to yield to my colleague 
from Montana.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I want to thank the Senator from Florida 
for yielding his time. He is not only the Senator from Florida; he is 
also a former Governor.
  Mr. President, I am here today to talk about the brave men and women 
of law enforcement in Montana and across this Nation. These men and 
women, many who are my friends, are the best of the best. Montana 
heroes literally put their lives on the line every day to protect our 
families--our moms, our dads, our kids. They don't do it for the pay or 
the accolades; they do it to serve their communities, to keep us safe.
  The men and women wearing that badge accept that every time they 
leave home to go to their shift and give their loved ones a kiss 
goodbye, they may never come back home. That is courage.
  My home county sheriff--Gallatin County, MT--Sheriff Brian Gootkin--
just a little over 1 week ago, we had a huge, massive wildfire that 
struck the Bridgers just north and east of Bozeman. It has been my 
hometown for 56 years. There were huge plumes of smoke, a great big 
fire--11,000 acres. They rushed into the fire and evacuated the 
residents there. Twenty-eight homes were destroyed, and not a single 
person lost their life. I can tell you why--because of the actions of 
the Gallatin sheriff's department, firefighters, and other agencies.
  This courage is something we should celebrate every day. This is 
something we should defend every day, including right here on the floor 
of the U.S. Senate. But, sadly, some people have other ideas.
  The way that members of our law enforcement are being treated right 
now around this country is atrocious. It is disturbing. Just this past 
weekend, two members of L.A.'s law enforcement, a man and a woman, were 
ambushed while sitting in their car--shot point-blank. Many of you have 
seen the horrifying videos.
  If that weren't sickening enough, there were violent protesters 
storming the hospital that they were being treated at and chanting 
``Let them die.'' There are no words to describe the outrage of what is 
happening here. This anti-police rhetoric is beyond dangerous, and 
those who support it should be ashamed of themselves. They should be 
publicly condemned by every Senator, every Representative, and every 
Governor across this great country.
  In fact, just this year, 37 officers have been killed. By the way, 
that is more than a 20-percent increase over the same time last year. 
Being a police officer in this country is more dangerous than ever 
before. I am having private conversations with members of law 
enforcement, our peace officers, men and women who will quietly tell 
you that it is difficult to continue to serve in this environment where 
they are not getting the support of their elected officials. I will 
tell you they are getting the support of their communities in many 
cases, though. But where is the outrage being expressed by those who 
are elected to serve, and how are these heroes repaid?
  Cities and towns across our country, including Montana's very own 
city, Missoula, are talking about reducing their budgets and proposing 
abolishment in some areas--abolishment of police departments. That talk 
is crazy. We have some of this crazy talk in Montana, where some of our 
communities were looking to take school resource officers out of our 
schools. They were looking to slash budgets. Thankfully--thankfully--
the community rose up, and they pushed back and, in most cases, stopped 
it. That is happening right in Montana in some communities.
  The Senators standing before you today will not accept it. We should 
not be defunding the police. We should be defending them.
  To my Democratic colleagues who support defunding these American 
heroes and these Montana heroes, you should be ashamed. I will always 
back the blue.
  I yield back to my colleague Senator Scott.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, first, I want to thank my 
colleague from Montana for his unwavering support for law enforcement. 
It is hard to believe that in a State like Montana, which is so 
supportive of law enforcement, there would be any city that would be 
thinking about reducing their police budget. It shouldn't be happening 
around the country.
  I am honored to stand here today to support our brave law enforcement 
and say enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate violence, 
attacks, and vilification of our law enforcement. I am proud to 
introduce the Back the Blue resolution today. I am asking all of my 
colleagues to join me in support
  As in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 697, submitted earlier today. 
Further, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to; that 
the preamble be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from New Mexico.
  Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, thank you very much for the recognition. 
Reserving the right to object, as a former New Mexico attorney general 
and assistant U.S. attorney, I have worked closely with law enforcement 
for many years. I have worked hard to prosecute violent crimes in my 
career, including crimes where law enforcement officers were the 
victims. I have been privileged to work with law enforcement in New 
Mexico, and we are all thankful for the tremendous work of the Capitol 
Police here in our Nation's Capital.
  The Senate is united in our respect for law enforcement. Just 5 
months ago, in May, the Senate passed a number of bills and a 
bipartisan resolution during National Police Week in support of those 
who serve our communities in the face of risk.
  We all agree that deadly violence targeting law enforcement is 
appalling, and we all have expressed gratitude for the brave men and 
women who serve in law enforcement. The recent shooting of two law 
sheriff's deputies in California was heinous. Our prayers go out to the 
officers and their families, and the perpetrator must be brought to 
justice.
  Like many of us here on both sides of the aisle, I am also dedicated 
to embracing a moment before our Nation where we confront the very real 
issues of systemic racial injustice. We have policy disagreements on 
how to do that, but I hope that we can all agree the Senate should be a 
place for coming together and making progress to respond to this moment 
in our country, not fanning the flames of division and anger.
  The initial draft of this resolution has some vague but divisive 
language that I do not think belongs in a Senate resolution, and a 
number of other Members agree. Our side is asking for some reasonable 
changes in good faith. To reflect the public safety and trust between 
law enforcement and communities is fundamental to the security and 
prosperity of our Nation. I hope that the Senator from Florida and his 
colleagues are willing to accept those changes, which I will offer in 
response to his request. Then the Senate can

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speak with a united voice and set a good example for our Nation at a 
time like this.
  As if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of my resolution at the desk; 
further, that the resolution be agreed to; that the preamble be agreed 
to; and that the motions to reconsider be made and laid upon the table 
with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from Florida.
  Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I 
appreciate my colleague's interest in expressing support for the brave 
men and women of law enforcement. That is exactly what my resolution 
does. Why, then, would my colleague object to my resolution and propose 
his own to accomplish the same thing?
  At first, his resolution appears to resemble my own. I note, however, 
that my resolution condemns not only the cowardly attacks of this past 
week on the Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies but also condemns the 
rhetoric and policies that have incited this recent spike in targeted 
violence against law enforcement. My colleague's resolution makes no 
such condemnation.
  My resolution calls out the radical politicians, reckless media 
figures, and organized protest movements that have sought to vilify law 
enforcement officers as a whole and incite, encourage, or celebrate 
widespread criminal activity and violence against law enforcement 
officers. My colleague's resolution is silent about this.
  My resolution calls out the radical politicians for pursuing a 
dangerous campaign to defund the police and starving law enforcement 
agencies of much needed resources to combat the crime wave sweeping 
through our communities. My colleague's resolution makes no such 
condemnation.
  We have to be honest about what is happening here and across our 
great country. We have rioters chanting ``Let them die'' outside a 
hospital caring for two police officers who were violently attacked. 
``Let them die''?
  Americans have the right to peacefully protest, and I support that 
right. But that is not what we are talking about here. We are talking 
about acts of violence against law enforcement, families, and 
businesses. My colleague's proposal takes out all references to this 
bad behavior.
  Expressing support for law enforcement without condemning the people 
and groups who are perpetrating, instigating, and celebrating the 
violent acts committed against law enforcement officers is not enough. 
We can't be afraid to condemn violence against law enforcement and the 
defund police movement. I have no such fear.
  Those radical politicians, reckless media figures, and organized 
protest movements deserve to be condemned for inciting, committing, and 
celebrating acts of violence against law enforcement. I stand firmly 
behind my resolution and behind our Nation's law enforcement.
  If my colleague would be willing to work with me, we may be able to 
find common ground to ensure any resolution includes language that 
firmly denounces the violence and the causes of that violence in our 
communities, but my colleague's resolution does not go far enough, so I 
therefore respectfully object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Is there objection to the original request?
  Mr. UDALL. Yes, there is. I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. UDALL. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from Indiana.


     50-Year Anniversary of the Vincennes University Jasper Campus

  Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I rise this evening to recognize the 50-
year anniversary of Vincennes University Jasper Campus.
  Vincennes University was founded in 1801 as part of the Northwest 
Territory back then that would later become the State of Indiana. For 
over 200 years, Vincennes University has been a premier institution of 
higher learning for those seeking knowledge in manufacturing, 
logistics, aviation, and other important fields of study.
  In 1970, when I was a mere junior in high school, this university 
expanded and established a new campus in my hometown.
  With open enrollment and concentrating on jobs with fields where 
there were employee shortages, Vincennes University Jasper Campus is 
providing opportunities for all Hoosiers to add new skills to their 
resume that will ultimately lead to good-paying jobs, mostly right 
there in Indiana.
  Notably, with their partnership with Purdue University, this campus 
provides low-income students or those in need of remedial coursework 
with a stepping stone to one of the Nation's top engineering schools.
  I have to admit, VU Jasper Campus holds a special place in my heart. 
At the company I founded in the early eighties, we use this as an 
excellent source of recruiting people into our own company who 
generally come there fully skilled, ready to go, and generally end up 
sticking with the job, which is great.
  As a Jasper native, I have seen firsthand what an asset this campus 
has been to our community and the economic benefit it has added to 
Dubois and surrounding counties.
  We are lucky to have VU in Jasper, and I am happy to be here on the 
floor of the U.S. Senate to celebrate with them on their golden 
anniversary.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming.