[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DAVID TRONE

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I want to take this opportunity to 
acknowledge a colleague of mine and a valued member of Team Maryland, 
Representative   David Trone. Since coming to Congress in 2018, 
Representative Trone has demonstrated a passion for tackling some of 
the most pressing issues that face our country and a persistent drive 
to advocate for the people of western Maryland.
  I am proud to have worked closely with Representative Trone over the 
years to fight for Marylanders on a variety of issues. The progress 
that Representative Trone has made in combatting the opioid crisis 
stands out in my mind as an example of his tenacity and effectiveness.
  Many regions in our country have seen the harm opioid and substance 
use disorders can bring to their communities, and western Maryland is 
no exception. When Representative Trone took office, he made it clear 
to his constituents that this would be a top priority of his.
  He quickly backed it up with action, by hitting the ground running in 
the House of Representatives. Representative Trone launched the 
Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, 
bringing together more than 140 Members of Congress from across the 
country and aisle. Twenty-six of their bills became law in the 117th 
Congress. Representative Trone serves on the House Appropriations 
Committee, Budget Committee, and the Joint Economic Committee.
  Outside of specific legislative work, Representative Trone has played 
an important role in shifting the narrative to see addiction as a 
disease and a public health crisis, rather than a personal shortcoming. 
That is why he has supported mental health offerings like passing a 
bill to provide confidential mental health support to first responders. 
He worked to expand the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program to 
include coverage for first responders whose deaths are a result of 
suicide or are permanently disabled as a result of traumatic service-
related experiences.
  I will miss working with Representative Trone, but I am grateful for 
his service to the Maryland delegation. I wish Representative Trone, 
his wife June, and his entire family only the best going forward. I 
wish him only happiness and success in what follows his career in the 
House. And I thank him for sharing his dedication to Maryland's sixth 
district with the American people and his fellow colleagues.

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