[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PAT ROBERTS

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President. Senator Pat Roberts has dedicated his life 
to serving the Nation and the people of his home State of Kansas, and I 
would like to take a moment to recognize his retirement.
  During his 40 years of service in the U.S. Congress, Senator Roberts 
has become a leader on agriculture, rural health and education, and 
defense policy. Senator Roberts is the first Member of Congress to 
chair the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee in both the 
Senate and the House of Representatives. Through his work on this 
committee and other, and across Congress, Senator Roberts has served 
with honor and distinction, keeping foremost in mind the interests and 
needs of Kansans.
  Pat has been a true partner on the Agriculture Committee. His 
methodical approach to bipartisanship mirrors my own efforts when I 
served a chairman of that committee and worked with Senator Dick Lugar 
to write and advance farm bills, nutrition laws, and conservation 
policies. Under Pat's chairmanship, the committee was able to reach a 
compromise on the 2018 farm bill, allowing for the inclusion of several 
key policies to enhance rural development, support our farmers, and 
fund vital nutrition programs. I know from negotiating the 1990 farm 
bill as committee chairman that reaching a bipartisan and bicameral 
consensus on such a substantial and sweeping piece of legislation is no 
simple task. Pat's leadership through the process showed his deep 
commitment to providing for the American people.
  Pat and I have worked together, and we have traveled together. We 
often chuckle that there are two bald men named Pat serving in the 
Senate. While I will miss sharing that chuckle with my friend, I will 
miss more his partnership and unwavering commitment to advancing 
responsible policies and practices to support agricultural sectors 
across the country. Pat and his wife Franki have become friends. 
Marcelle and I wish them the very best.

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