[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Tribute to Pat Roberts

  Madam President, Pat Roberts has had a distinguished career in both 
the Senate and the House of Representatives. His work has touched on 
many issues, but he has been particularly dedicated to preserving the 
strength of our national defense and ensuring the well-being of our 
servicemembers.
  Pat's concern for the defense of our Nation is longstanding. He began 
his public service as a young man in the U.S. Marine Corps, and he has 
displayed the steadfast resolve emblematic of marines throughout his 
time in Congress.
  I observed this commitment firsthand during our years serving and 
traveling together as part of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Pat 
successfully pushed for the creation of a more modern refueling and 
transport tanker for our Air Force. He helped secure improvements at 
Fort Leavenworth and created the first Senate caucus exclusively 
dedicated to supporting the U.S. Marine Corps.
  As Chairman of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, Pat ably 
led the effort to build a memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 
Washington, DC, and I am delighted that, after years of Pat's hard work 
and leadership--and I observed this firsthand during my few years as a 
member of the Commission--the memorial was officially opened and 
dedicated in September. That, too, will be a lasting tribute to Pat 
Roberts' work.
  Beyond his defense work, Pat was greatly concerned with the well-
being of our farmers. He is the only Member to have authored and 
enacted farm bills in both the House and the Senate. We also worked 
closely together to pass legislation upgrading our Nation's trauma 
centers to ensure that severely injured patients receive the best 
possible care.
  Pat was always quick with quips and brought levity to this body. I 
thank him for his spirit and his lifelong service.