[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7972-H7973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING BRAD ASHFORD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and 
accomplishments of my friend and former Congressman, Brad Ashford, who 
passed away April 19, 2022. Brad began his career in politics by 
faithfully serving in the Nebraska State legislature for 16 years, 
focusing on ways to solve problems in education, labor, and urban 
affairs.
  After being elected to represent the Second Congressional District of 
Nebraska, Brad worked hard to advance multiple bills in support of 
veterans. He was a co-sponsor of the Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 
2015, which helped veterans find sustainable employment and apply their 
skills to work for Customs and Border Patrol. He also co-sponsored the 
Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015, which allowed veterans with 
a service-related disability to take an increased amount of time to 
seek treatment and heal as needed.
  Brad will most be remembered when people drive by the nearly 2-year-
old Ambulatory Care Clinic at Omaha's VA Hospital. This facility, 
funded through a public-private partnership, was largely the result of 
Brad's efforts to craft and pass the CHIP In for Vets Act of 2016.
  This innovative legislation was a first of its kind that enables the 
use of Federal funds to be matched with privately raised donations. 
Brad and I became friends after 2016 and we worked together to see the 
project come to fruition. This past September, I was humbled to carry 
on his legacy by passing the reauthorization of this important 
legislation.
  It was Brad's mission to ensure all constituents of the Nebraska 
community felt well-represented. Throughout his tenure in Congress, 
Brad consistently sought to reach across the aisle and advocate for 
bipartisan legislation, highlighting that Representatives are not only 
capable of working together, but must do so to advance our Nation, and 
we do this regardless of ideology or political party.
  He was a problem-solver and a man of action. Even after his time in 
Congress, he continued to advocate and educate the public on justice-
engaged youth, including our last project together finding pathways to 
careers that could reintegrate them as productive members of our 
community and reduce recidivism.
  I salute and thank Brad for his leadership, mentorship, and 
friendship. We went from being political adversaries to great friends. 
It is my hope that we all carry on Brad's legacy of civility, 
compassion, and cooperation. I personally will miss the optimistic and 
hopeful conversations with my friend that we frequently enjoyed.
  My heart goes out to his wife, Ann, his children; John, Ellie, and 
Tom; his granddaughter, Rosie; and his many loved ones. We are 
eternally grateful for all that Brad has done for our Nation.

                              {time}  1030


                  Honoring Nebraska Senator Tom Brewer

  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Native American Heritage Month, I 
rise to recognize the dedication and accomplishments of Senator Tom 
Brewer, a veteran with 37 years of service, including six tours to 
Afghanistan, two Purple Hearts, and a Bronze Star.
  His experiences show resilience and true patriotism as he holds the 
title of the first senator of Native American descent to serve in 
Nebraska's unicameral. He was first elected in 2016 and represents the 
13 counties of District 43 in the western Nebraska Sandhills.
  Senator Tom Brewer is a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux and grew up 
on the Pine Ridge Reservation before he enlisted in the Nebraska Army 
National Guard. He attended college at Doane University in Crete on an 
ROTC scholarship and continued to serve us internationally as he fought 
on behalf of our freedoms in Afghanistan.
  Although gravely wounded in his final tour, Senator Brewer did not 
let this injury prevent him from fighting for his country through 
public service. After serving nearly four decades, Senator Brewer 
retired from the Army and was then elected to the Nebraska unicameral.
  His inclusion represents how far we have come as a State, as well as 
the ways that we as people can come together in the future to uphold 
the proposition that all men are created equal.
  Since his time in office, he has worked on legislation that improves 
veterans' affairs and agriculture policy to help all Nebraskans.
  Senator Brewer continues to advocate for farmers and ranchers, 
servicemen and women, and fights to protect our constitutional rights. 
He has just returned from 2 months in Ukraine doing humanitarian relief 
in the Kharkiv region.

[[Page H7973]]

  Though he has faced much adversity, he has managed to overcome it and 
use his experiences to create new standards in Nebraska's government. 
We thank him for his service and honor him for paving the way for all 
Native Americans.

                          ____________________