[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 193 (Thursday, November 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Veterans Day

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam President, when most Americans think of the 
sacrifices that our veterans made in the name of defending freedom, 
they think of those brave men and women running toward the danger. We 
are grateful that, in their hearts, they have that desire, but as 
anyone who knows or has worked with veterans knows, they also make 
sacrifices that really never bubble to the surface or come to our 
attention. Not only do they sacrifice their own safety, they give up 
their personal independence, the comforts of home, their relationships 
with friends and family, their spouses, and their children.
  Think about what an extraordinary decision they have made--that the 
safety and security of their fellow countrymen is worth more than 
losing those precious days. They have made that choice. They put that 
service and that sacrifice in front of their desires, in front of the 
desires of their family. They are, indeed, called to serve.
  These are the people whom we should be looking to for comfort and 
inspiration during difficult times. They really do have experience in 
that category. They have made those sacrifices, and they have made 
those choices knowing that it wouldn't be easy and knowing that they 
may not come home, but, when they do come home, that sometimes it is 
tough. It is tough to get back in that groove of where you were, to 
rekindle those relationships.
  Our younger veterans, in particular, were painfully aware of this 
when they put on the uniform. But do you know what? They still made 
that choice to serve.
  Here in the Senate, we have backed legislation that really has made 
things easier for so many of our veterans.
  When I was in the House, I was honored to help shepherd passage of 
the VA MISSION Act, and I was grateful to see that receive bipartisan 
support here in the Senate. It has, indeed, streamlined many of the 
processes in the VA healthcare system.
  Last month, I introduced a bill to provide doula services to improve 
maternal health outcomes for our female veterans, a population that 
every single month continues to increase.
  Back in August, I introduced a bill that will allow our K2 veterans 
to obtain the special health screenings they need to check for cancer 
and other illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances in 
Uzbekistan.
  In fact, this has been a great year for veteran support. We have 
passed--or are very close to passing--legislation that will improve and 
simplify doctor-patient relationships, recordkeeping, and mental health 
services, and will make those and other important benefits more 
accessible to our veterans and their families.
  If you are not already supporting these efforts, I encourage my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
  As the week draws to a close, I would encourage everyone to seek out 
veterans' stories and to internalize the knowledge that the sacrifices 
they made were for us. There is so much we can learn from those who 
have served. There is so much that they have done to help preserve our 
way of life and our freedoms. It is so much that they have done for the 
values and the institutions--things that really do transcend politics.
  I reached out to many of our veterans this week and had great 
conversations and heard from veterans online.
  I heard from William, a Tennessean who proudly served in the Air 
Force. He said his service was ``the best decision of his entire 
life.''
  I also heard from Greg, who served as a C-130 crew chief in theatre 
during Desert Storm. He put off his college education when he was asked 
to serve.
  And I would be remiss if I did not recognize the veterans who are 
currently serving in our office: Dana Magneson, John Clement, Jay 
Strobino, Dr. Karen Summar, and Paris Cervantes.
  I thank each and every one of them for their service and for the 
continued work that they do on behalf of all Tennesseans.
  These brave men and women represent the hope of a nation and our 
promise to the rest of the world that, no matter what, the United 
States stands ready and willing to answer the call.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sasse). The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.