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like Germany in World War II, and like Vietnam in the Vietnam war were our bitter enemies at one time but are now our friends. Maybe we can turn the page with Iran, and they can turn the page with us. They will be better for it, and in the end, we will too. Your generation, especially, will be better for that. I thank Senator CORKER and, again, Senator CARDIN and their staffs. I thank our leadership—Senator MCCONNELL and Senator CHUCK SCHUMER—for making sure that this resolution was taken up and written. It worked out, and we will have a chance to vote on it. I just do not want somebody sometime later—this evening or tonight—when asking for unanimous consent to adopt a Senate resolution with a certain number on it, to ask: What was that all about? I want people to know that this is about something that is important, and I am grateful to all who had a hand in it. Thank you very much. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll. Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. NOMINATION REFERRAL
Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous consent that upon the reporting of the nomination of David P. Pekoske, of Maryland, to be Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the nomination be referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days, except that if the 30 days lapse while the Senate is in recess, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs shall have an additional 5 session days after the Senate reconvenes to report the nomination, after which the nomination, if still in committee, be discharged and placed on the Executive Calendar. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. f
EXECUTIVE SESSION EXECUTIVE CALENDAR Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of all nominations placed on the Secretary’s desk in the Foreign Service; that the nominations be confirmed, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any statements related to
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the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate’s action, and the Senate then resume legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows: NOMINATIONS PLACED ON THE SECRETARY’S DESK IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE
PN359 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (8) beginning Fred Aziz, and ending Nathalie Scharf, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 25, 2017. PN360 FOREIGN SERVICE nominations (12) beginning David Gossack, and ending Pamela Ward, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of April 25, 2017. f
LEGISLATIVE SESSION The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate will now resume legislative session. f
MORNING BUSINESS Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. (At the request of Mr. SCHUMER, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the RECORD.) f
VOTE EXPLANATION ∑ Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, today I would have cast my vote in favor of Scott Brown to represent the United States as Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. New Zealand has been a treaty ally of the United States since the signing of the Australia-New Zealand—United States Treaty in 1951. As a crucial partner and ally, the United States and New Zealand share core values of democracy, human rights, and liberty, and I believe it is imperative for the United States to maintain strong allegiance to our longstanding friends throughout the world.∑ f
REMEMBERING BARBARA MCCALLAHAN Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, it is with very great sadness today that I honor the life of my longtime staff member and dear friend, Barbara Wise McCallahan. Barb passed away on May 26, 2017. Barb has worked in my congressional and Senate offices for over 20 years, joining my team on my very first day in Congress in 1997. She was a volunteer on my campaign for the U.S. House and worked many subsequent campaigns. She staffed my Howell and Flint Township offices when I served in the U.S. House. Over the years, she rep-
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resented me in Livingston, Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, and Oakland Counties as a regional manager in the Senate. For over 20 years, she has been an anchor for me in southeast Michigan. Barb loved to tell the story of when she first walked into my campaign office to volunteer when I ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. Coming from the hometown of my opponent, she would laugh that my team suspected that she was a spy. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. Barb has been fiercely loyal and steadfastly protective of me for over two decades. I cannot think of anyone who has spent more time over the years driving in a car with me. We have survived blizzards, avoided countless speed traps, identified the fastest drivethrough restaurants, and I have never seen anyone who could bypass construction better than Barb. The countless hours we spent together over the years deepened my appreciation for her resolve and determination and cemented a lasting friendship. Barb was a fighter. She faced many challenges early in her life. She took that fighting spirit and tenacity and fought throughout her career for so many individuals, families, and communities she helped represent. She was committed, tough, proud, and resilient. I watched Barb struggle with the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease in recent months and, along with her family, friends, and coworkers, was deeply affected by her losses earlier this year. While we will all continue to mourn her death, we also celebrate her life, her accomplishments, and her enduring spirit. Barb is an example of the amazing and talented professionals who commit themselves to congressional service. She has served the State of Michigan and her country with distinction and honor. No tribute to Barb can be done without including her family. I remember many community events and parades over the years with Barb and her young sons. Although a private person, Barb would light up when talking about her family; she was especially proud of her boys Patrick, Ian, and Brian and her grandson, Shane. On behalf of all of Team Stabenow, you will always be part of our family. Please join me and countless others as we honor the life of my longtime staff member and dear friend, Barbara McCallahan. f
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DANIEL Q. GREENWOOD ∑ Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and congratulate a tremendous Marine officer, Col. Daniel Q. Greenwood, for his distinguished service as the commanding officer, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division
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