[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16416-16417]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTES TO HARRY REID

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, as a young man growing up in Searchlight, 
Nevada, Harry Reid was an accomplished amateur boxer. During his 30 
years of service in this Chamber, Senator Reid has demonstrated time 
and again the qualities of skill, hard work, and determination that he 
learned in the ring all those years ago.
  Prior to joining the Senate in 1987, Senator Reid established a deep 
commitment to public service in the House of Representatives and in 
State and local offices. And before that, he served Congress and 
supported his young family working nights as a Capitol police officer 
while attending law school at George Washington University. As a Senate 
leader, serving as Democratic whip, majority leader, and, currently, 
Democratic leader, he has been a formidable advocate for his caucus.
  In the Senate, Senator Reid has been a passionate voice for 
education, environmental protection, health care, and renewable energy. 
His commitment to those who serve our Nation in uniform is evident 
through his support for military readiness and for our veterans.
  The great Jack Dempsey defined a champion as ``someone who gets up 
when he can't.'' In his many years of service to the people of Nevada 
and to our nation, Senator Harry Reid has proven himself to be a 
fighter who always answers the bell. I wish him and his wife, Landra, 
health and happiness for many more years to come.
  Mr. NELSON. Mr. President, I have had the honor and privilege of 
serving with Harry Reid for all of my 16 years in the Senate. He has 
been a resolute leader for our Caucus, a fearless legislator who has 
brought landmark legislation to the floor and a tireless advocate for 
Nevadans and all Americans. More importantly, I am proud to call Harry 
a friend.
  We all know the story of Harry's journey to elected office from that 
small mining town in Nevada. The humble way he grew up inspired him to 
help others who faced similar hardships his family had faced. He 
carried that perspective with him from Searchlight, NV, to the halls of 
the Capitol, where he became a champion for causes meant to improve the 
lives of all Americans.
  Harry is a fighter. That has been said by so many of his friends and 
colleagues over the years, and it is truer of him than almost anyone I 
have ever worked with. That title, of course, has more than one meaning 
for Harry. His years of amateur boxing taught him strategy and 
relentless willpower in the face of his opponents. His years in the 
Senate have been no different. He has had to fight for historical 
legislation in an increasingly vitriolic political climate, things like 
the Affordable Care Act and the stimulus bill, legislation that gave 
millions of Americans hope for their futures.
  Harry has also been a very powerful ally for me and my fellow 
Floridians, specifically in the fight to protect the State's fragile 
environment. He has always been right there with me in pushing for 
Everglades funding and vigorously defended our coastline from drilling 
proposals that threatened Florida's economy and unique environment.
  His leadership has been a source of guidance and great strength for 
me during my time in the Senate. I am honored to have served with him 
and wish him and his family well in his retirement.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the many 
accomplishments of my friend, Senator Harry Reid, my colleague from 
Nevada, during his storied career in the U.S. Senate.
  Growing up in a modest household without an indoor bathroom, hot 
water, or a telephone, Harry learned the values of family, faith, and 
education. Harry understood that it is the most vulnerable in society 
that need the strongest champions, someone to fight for them.
  Harry's service to the people of Nevada began long before he came to 
Congress. After attending law school at George Washington University, 
Leader Reid returned home and served as Henderson's City Attorney. At 
the age of 28, he was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. Two years 
later, Leader Reid became the youngest Lieutenant Governor in Nevada 
history. Harry experienced political losses early in his career, but he 
never let that hold him back. After 5 years as chairman of the Nevada 
Gaming Commission, Harry won election to the U.S. House in 1982. He 
served two terms before winning his first U.S. Senate race in 1986.
  Harry's stint as an amateur boxer taught him to never back down from 
a fight, no matter how big. Throughout his Senate career, the people of 
Nevada have been able to count on Harry to fight for them.
  He has spearheaded investments in clean energy, established Nevada's 
first national park, Great Basin National Park, and led passage of the 
Post-9/11 G.I. Bill of Rights.
  As majority leader, he shepherded landmark legislation through the 
Senate--The Affordable Care Act, Wall Street Reform, the Recovery Act, 
and many more. Despite the powerful interests lining up to defeat these 
efforts, Harry didn't back down. He worked hard and got things done. As 
a result, millions of Americans have health care.
  We have fought our way back from the Great Recession of 2008. 
Consumers now have more protection against powerful companies. It is 
fair to say, Harry's leadership has improved our country and our 
families' lives.
  Today I want to focus on a few issues where I was particularly proud 
to have worked with him. Leader Reid has been a longtime champion for 
the Filipino World War II Veterans. This group of over 260,000 Filipino 
veterans answered President Roosevelt's call during World War II and 
fought heroically under the U.S. flag. Unfortunately, they have had to 
endure another fight over the course of seven decades--the fight for 
the recognition and benefits they were promised. Leader Reid has been 
at the forefront of this fight. He has helped secure compensation from 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. We have worked together to reunify 
the remaining veterans with their children. And just last week, the 
House passed and sent the President my legislation awarding Filipino 
World War II veterans the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest 
civilian honor Congress can bestow. Leader Reid was instrumental in 
getting this bill through the Senate, and I deeply appreciate his 
support.
  Nevada is home to a vibrant Filipino-American community. Leader Reid 
is deeply familiar with the experiences and struggles of Filipino 
veterans and their families. He worked with Hawaii's late Senator Dan 
Inouye to create the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund within 
the VA in 2009. The fund's creation was a significant step forward in 
recognizing the dedicated service and sacrifice of these veterans. I 
was proud to have Leader Reid join me in our successful effort to 
secure appropriations language prohibiting any attempts to direct these 
funds to other programs.
  This past May, the Obama administration finalized a parole program 
that would allow family members of Filipino World War II veterans to 
come to the United States to be reunited with their aging parents and 
siblings. These veterans had already waited decades to be reunited with 
their children in the Philippines.
  Speaking at my press conference announcing the program, Harry honored 
the veterans' sacrifice saying, ``in those islands where MacArthur 
left, the Filipinos were left there with some of our troops and they 
fought valiantly and were not recognized.''
  Finally, I want to highlight Leader Reid's work on immigration. In 
2009, while campaigning in Nevada, a young woman named Astrid Silva 
slipped a note to Harry. Astrid was brought to the United States when 
she was 4 years old. Unable to work legally, Astrid babysat to earn 
money. She excelled at school but feared deportation if she applied to 
college. In the following years, Astrid and Harry corresponded, and he 
learned of the hopes, dreams, and struggles of the DREAMers.

[[Page 16417]]

  In a 2013 interview hours before the Senate passed comprehensive 
immigration reform, Harry said, ``This is why I did this . . . because 
of some things she said.''
  Later, when speaking on the floor before the vote, Harry said, ``I 
appreciate every one of those letters she sent me, because each was a 
reminder of what is at stake in this debate.'' A testament to Harry's 
character, even while serving in one of the most powerful roles in 
Washington, Harry never forgot who he was fighting for.
  Aloha, Harry. As we say in Hawaii, a hui hou, ``until we meet 
again.''

                          ____________________