[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S6986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Tribute to Richard Shelby

  Mr. President, let me now say a few words about another dear friend 
and extraordinary leader, Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama.
  As chairman and vice chair of both the Appropriations Committee and 
of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Richard Shelby has 
dedicated himself to ensuring that the United States remains the 
world's most advanced and effective military force. He has ensured that 
our Nation's servicemembers are equipped with the tools that they need 
to protect and defend our country.
  I know that the people of Alabama are so proud of his countless 
contributions to his State. He has worked tirelessly to support the 
servicemembers, veterans, and defense industry workers who call Alabama 
home. Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell Air Force Base, and Fort Rucker are all 
vital national hubs for various military commands and activities due to 
the leadership of Richard Shelby.
  Richard's legislative influence has been extraordinarily broad. He 
has chaired four Senate committees--Appropriations, Rules, 
Intelligence, and Banking, where he holds the record for the longest 
tenure of committee membership.
  His extensive knowledge, combined with the deep bonds that he has 
forged with his fellow Members of Congress in both the Senate and the 
House, has enabled him to compile an extensive list of accomplishments.

  Serving with Richard on the Appropriations Committee, I have 
witnessed firsthand his command of policy and his skill as a 
negotiator. He truly is a master legislator, always focused on securing 
tangible results.
  One example that stands out occurred in 2018, when he took over as 
chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Under his leadership, the 
fiscal year 2019 Defense bill marked the first time that America's 
military had been funded on time through regular order in a decade. 
Richard Shelby did it.
  Richard has also played a crucial role in positioning our country as 
a leader in scientific achievement, advancement, exploration, and 
discovery. He looks to the future, placing a premium on funding 
innovative research in areas such as hypersonics, quantum computing, 
and artificial intelligence.
  From the early days of the space race to today, Alabama has been a 
vital hub of cutting-edge research on propulsion and space systems, 
particularly through the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. 
Richard has consistently ensured that funding would be there for NASA 
to preserve America's superiority in the final frontier.
  As their service in the U.S. Senate draws to a close, Senator Jim 
Inhofe and Senator Richard Shelby will go down in history and long be 
remembered for their dedication to our Armed Forces and their 
determination to keep America free and strong. Their legacy will 
continue to inspire all of us to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
  I thank all of them; I thank both of them. I thank their wives Kay 
and Annette for their service as well. And it is a great pleasure to 
join with my colleague Roger Wicker in paying tribute to two 
extraordinary Senators.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.
  Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to make 5-minute 
remarks before the vote is called.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I wanted to get to the floor today to say 
thank you to some colleagues that are truly deserving of it. There are 
three of them here. My understanding is that Senator Shelby, or ``The 
Chairman,'' as I call him, has not yet made his farewell speech, so I 
am going to reserve my laudatory comments for somebody who I will 
always consider ``the chairman'' of the Appropriations Committee, even 
when he is the ranking member and even when he is not here. He is truly 
the chairman, and I have learned so much from him and am deeply 
appreciative for his incredible work and want to talk about that at 
greater length after he has made his floor speech.