[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 207 (Tuesday, December 8, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        Tribute to Cory Gardner

  Mr. THUNE. Madam President, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute 
to two Senators whom I had hoped to serve with longer: Cory Gardner and 
Martha McSally.
  One of the first things that became clear about Cory Gardner when he 
came to the Senate is that he is an incredibly hard worker. He is 
tireless. Cory has not only a great sense of humor; I remember back 
during impeachment when we were working some really late nights, he 
left 5-hour ENERGY drinks for all of us in our mailboxes.
  I have to say, you kind of need a 5-hour ENERGY drink to keep up with 
Cory. Seriously, though, Cory has a tremendous amount of energy and 
focus and drive, and he has left it all on the field during his time in 
the Senate.
  I think he knew when he was elected that he might not be here 
forever, and he has made every moment over the past 6 years count. He 
is a results-oriented person. He is interested in getting things done, 
and he has built an impressive record.
  Serving the people of Colorado has been the first thing on his mind 
every day. He spent a lot of time working on Colorado priorities, from 
protecting our public lands to improving wildfire preparedness, to 
expanding healthcare access for veterans by ensuring the completion of 
the VA hospital in Aurora, CO.
  He has also been a leader on foreign policy issues, specifically on 
the issue of holding North Korea and China accountable for their lack 
of freedom and their human rights violations, such as China's mass 
incarceration of Uighurs and its targeting of Chinese citizens who 
dissent from the Communist Party line.
  Cory has also been a great friend to Taiwan. Among other things, he 
authored the TAIPEI Act, which the President signed into law earlier 
this year, legislation that makes it U.S. policy to support Taiwan's 
efforts to strengthen its relationships with countries in the Indo-
Pacific and around the world. A free, prosperous, and safe Taiwan is in 
the interest of the United States, and Cory understands this well.
  In addition to being one of the hardest working people you will ever 
meet, Cory is also one of the most pleasant. He has an upbeat 
personality and a contagious cheer, and committee hearings and meetings 
are always more enjoyable when he is around.
  He has been called a happy warrior. I think it is a fitting title. He 
is an eternal optimist. I don't mean that in a naive, wide-eyed sort of 
way. Cory is well aware of the challenges we face in our Nation and 
around the world, but he genuinely believes in our country and in our 
ability as citizens and as Members of Congress to make life better for 
our fellow Americans.
  And over his 6 years here in the Senate, he has helped make life 
better for his constituents in all four corners of his State and for 
the American people. Nobody could have worked harder for Colorado over 
the past 6 years--nobody--and he has done more for his State in a 
single term than many have managed to do in twice as long a time 
period.
  We were fortunate to have Cory here in the U.S. Senate. I will miss 
serving with him, but I look forward to seeing what he does next. 
Whatever it is, I am confident of one thing: It will be great