[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 163 (Tuesday, September 21, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Tribute to Staff

  Madam President, I want to take this opportunity to highlight another 
group of Americans who rarely receive the public recognition they 
deserve, the staff right here in the U.S. Senate. These staffers shun 
the spotlight and dedicate their craft to represent the interests of 
our constituents.
  When it became clear that the administration was failing in 
Afghanistan, congressional staffers from across Capitol Hill--from both 
parties in Washington and in State offices and district offices around 
the country--rose to the challenge. These staffers helped with a 
modern-day ``Digital Dunkirk.'' They were united in the common cause of 
helping stranded Americans and Afghan allies. Many of them sprung to 
action instinctively and in an instant, almost as if they had been on 
call, like a doctor or a firefighter, immediately ready to help 
mitigate the damage of this disaster.
  Some of those who did this work serve on my staff: Bobby Zarate, my 
national security advisor, spent countless hours engaging with 
counterparts in the State Department, communicating with Active-Duty 
military and veterans, including some on the ground in Afghanistan, 
and, of course, fielding requests from all corners to expedite cases of 
American citizens and allies in Afghanistan; Kevin Kim, a fellow in my 
office from the State Department; Rachel Leong, a legislative 
correspondent; and Bonny Warren, a caseworker in my Cookeville office. 
They were all right there, too, every step of the way.
  For their work on behalf of folks in need, I want to thank them for 
all that they do and all they continue to do.
  I imagine many of my colleagues here in the Senate have similar 
stories, their own Bobbys, their own Kevins, and Rachels, and Bonnys 
helping those in need. And for the totality of their work, we, the 
Members of the Senate, owe our staff a great thanks.
  I am honored to describe the role that my office played and is 
continuing to play in rescuing Americans from Afghanistan, but it 
didn't have to be this way. And I hope, for the sake of our government 
and our country, that it will never be this way again.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arkansas.
  Mr. COTTON. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator 
Murphy and I be allowed to complete our exchange before the next 
scheduled vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.