[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 7246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        THANK YOU, SENATOR BROWN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Emmer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Senator Dave 
Brown for serving in the Minnesota State Senate.
  Senator Brown represents an area located in Minnesota's Sixth 
District, and I have enjoyed working with him on a variety of issues 
that are important to our constituents.
  Senator Brown has worked on policy solutions in the fields related to 
commerce, education, and finance. However, his main area of expertise 
has been in promoting Minnesota energy.
  Our district is home to the Sherco coal-fired power plant, which is 
responsible for hundreds of jobs as well as the abundance of energy it 
provides. During a time when Sherco's future was unclear and unstable, 
Senator Brown was a voice of reason that helped many to keep the plant 
open, allowing many Minnesotans to keep their jobs.
  Thank you, Dave, for the work you have done for our community and for 
Minnesota. I will miss working with you, but we wish you the best of 
luck in your next endeavor.


                      Thank you, Senator Pederson

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Senator John 
Pederson for his dedicated service to the St. Cloud area residents over 
the past 6 years.
  John Pederson was born and raised in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional 
District and first served on the St. Cloud City Council in 2007. After 
4 years on the City Council, John ran and won his seat in the Minnesota 
State Senate.
  Throughout his time in the Minnesota legislature, Senator Pederson 
has shown his expertise in a variety of areas, but none more than in 
transportation. Like me, Senator Pederson understands that an intense 
focus on transportation in Minnesota's Sixth is crucial to relieving 
congestion, improving safety, increasing mobility, and fostering 
economic development in our State.
  John, thank you for your time in serving the people of our great 
State.


                       Thank you, Senator Ortman

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Senator Julianne 
Ortman for her years of dedicated service in the Minnesota Senate.
  Following her time in practicing law and as a county commissioner, 
Julianne Ortman was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2002. Her 
talent quickly became apparent as she rose to various leadership 
positions.
  Senator Ortman served as an assistant minority leader during the 
2007-2008 legislative session. During the 2011-2012 session, she served 
as deputy majority leader and as chairwoman of the Senate Tax 
Committee.
  Of the many issues Senator Ortman championed, taxes, transportation, 
judiciary, and public safety were among her highest priorities. During 
her time as chairwoman of the Senate Tax Committee, the State 
government had a $5 billion deficit, which it eventually managed to 
eliminate without raising taxes on hardworking Minnesotans, evidence of 
Senator Ortman's strong leadership.
  Thank you, Julianne, for your service and for all that you have done 
for Minnesota. Thank you for your leadership.


                       Thank you, Senator Johnson

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Senator Alice 
Johnson for her dedication and service to the people of Minnesota.
  Alice Johnson began her career as a public servant in the Minnesota 
House of Representatives in 1986. She served for 14 years before taking 
a brief break from the Minnesota legislature.
  Alice again ran for office in 2012 and has served in the Minnesota 
Senate for the past 4 years, where she has served as vice chair for 
both the Education Finance and Policy Committees. After an incredible 
18 years in public service, Senator Johnson deserves her well-earned 
retirement.
  Thank you, Alice, for the time you have spent in working tirelessly 
on behalf of Minnesotans and in working to end the gridlock in 
politics. It is greatly appreciated.


                   Thank you, Representative Sanders

  Mr. EMMER of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank my friend, 
Representative Tim Sanders, for the incredible work that he has done 
while serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
  Representative Sanders has served in the legislature for four terms, 
during which he has held various leadership positions. In the 2014 
election, he was nominated to the position of assistant majority leader 
and has also served as chair of the Government Operations and Elections 
Committee.
  I got to know Tim personally during my own time in the State 
legislature and have an enormous amount of respect for him. He has been 
a successful and passionate legislator, proven by the fact that a 
substantial number of his bills have actually been signed into law.
  Thank you, Tim, for your service to our community and to our State. I 
know that you will continue to accomplish great things. I wish you 
nothing but happiness as you spend more time with Farrah and the kids.

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