[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO PAT ROBERTS

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to someone 
who is more than just a colleague. He is more than just a friend. In 
fact, he has been a true partner here in the Senate, and that has paid 
huge dividends for farmers, families, and communities across our 
country.
  Pat Roberts has been here in the Senate for a long time. Some might 
even call him an institution. At a recent Ag Committee event, I joked 
that, as a young man, he advised George Washington on farm policy. That 
might be a bit of an exaggeration, but his legacy can hardly be 
overstated. He has left a lasting imprint on farm and food policy in 
this country. He is the only person to have written a farm bill as both 
the chair of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.
  Those of us who have had the honor of serving alongside Pat on the 
Senate Agriculture Committee know there is no other place quite like 
it. It is a place where we leave politics at the door and focus on the 
ways we can improve people's lives and livelihoods in rural America. We 
do that because we know agriculture isn't a red issue or a blue issue. 
Agriculture and food policy affect everyone. And nobody knows that 
better than Pat.
  Senator Roberts and I never gave up on passing the 2018 farm bill 
even when it got tough. At the beginning of negotiations, we made a 
commitment to work together. We visited each other's home States--
twice, in fact. I arrived in ``The Little Apple'' of Manhattan, KS, 
wearing K-State purple. A few weeks later, Pat came to Frankenmuth, MI 
and wore a MSU green tie.
  Around this time, we also made a commitment to each other to write a 
bipartisan farm bill. Throughout the entire process, I never doubted 
that Pat had my back--even when negotiations got tough. Thanks to this 
partnership, we achieved the most bipartisan bill in history.
  We first passed our Senate bill by 86 votes, but that wasn't enough. 
We decided to beat that record and passed the final farm bill by 87 
votes, the most yes votes ever. We were able to do that because we have 
a unique partnership built on trust and mutual respect. And the outcome 
was a strong, bipartisan bill that provided certainty for all farmers, 
from wheat farmers in Kansas to cherry growers in Michigan. Part of 
that certainty is Federal crop insurance--and nobody deserves more 
credit for the foundation of that important safety net program than 
Senator Roberts.
  Pat is also a champion for food security, agricultural exports, and 
agricultural research, which is why he and I worked together to 
establish the Foundation for Food and Agriculture in the 2014 Farm 
Bill. He also understands the importance of protecting food assistance 
for children and families. I was honored to share the Food Research and 
Action Center's Distinguished Service Award with Senator Roberts last 
year for our teamwork.
  Above all, it has been an honor working with Pat because he is truly 
one of a kind. From the moment I met him, it became abundantly clear 
that he wasn't your run-of-the-mill politician. Some say it is his 
unflappable nature. Others say it is his unique sense of humor. But to 
me, Pat Roberts is defined by his loyalty, integrity, and dedication to 
the people of Kansas.
  He started his career as a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps. And 
it is clear he has carried that courage and conviction with him 
throughout his life. He was also a newspaper reporter, which makes 
sense when you consider his dogged determination, and, for better or 
worse, his ability to be exceptionally quotable.
  As a public servant, he is so beloved in his home State of Kansas 
that he never lost an election, a record of 24-0. If only his K-State 
Wildcats could be so lucky.
  Senator Pat Roberts, it has been such an honor to be your partner--
and an even bigger honor to be your friend. So while your retirement is 
well earned, you will be deeply missed on the Agriculture Committee and 
here in the Senate.
  Thank you for all you have done for farmers, families, and the 
American people.
  Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I would like to recognize and thank 
the Senator from Kansas, Pat Roberts. He has served the people of 
Kansas and our Nation in Congress for nearly 40 years, serving 16 years 
in the House of Representatives and in U.S. Senate since 1997. Over the 
past 4 years, I have had the pleasure of serving with Senator Roberts 
in the Senate, including on the Committee on Rules and Administration 
and the Finance Committee for the last 2 years.
  Senator Roberts has been a pragmatic partner on legislation focused 
on supporting rural hospitals and telehealth access during the 
pandemic. We introduced the Rural ACO Improvement Act to support rural 
health care providers as well as the Ensuring Parity in Medicare 
Advantage for Audio-Only Telehealth Act to protect seniors' access to 
telehealth visits even when video is not available during the COVID-19 
public health emergency. I respect and appreciate Senator Roberts's 
dedication to these important issues.
  Senator Roberts has had a long and esteemed tenure in Congress, and 
his emphasis on working across the aisle can be seen clearly with the 
record number of votes in favor for the 2018 farm bill. His evident 
love for his family, rich heritage as a fourth-generation Kansan, and 
his call for levity and humor in the Senate to ensure bipartisanship 
will be remembered for years to come. I thank Senator Roberts and wish 
him, his wife Franki, and his family all the best in the coming years.

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