Letter dated January 3, 2017 from Robert Weissman, President, Public Citizen; and Chair, Coalition for Sensible Safeguards.

Letter dated January 3, 2017 from Andrew A. Rosenberg, Ph.D., Director, Center for Science and Democracy, Union of Concerned Scientists.

Letter dated January 3, 2017 from Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association.

Letter dated January 3, 2017 from Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO, American Lung Association.

Letter dated January 3, 2017 from Elizabeth B. Thompson, President, Environmental Defense Action Fund.

Letter dated January 3, 2017 from William Samuel, Director, Government Affairs Department, AFL-CIO.

Mr. President, it is my sad duty to announce the passing of John Glenn. John Glenn was one of the original seven astronauts of this country. All of them were characterized as having the right stuff, and if you knew any of them, that was…

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…

Mr. President, these speeches were just supposed to go on for 1 hour, and we are already at the 2-hour mark, but perhaps, since we are honoring you, this is most appropriate. I would say to our colleagues and our guests, you say the name…

Mr. President, I want to speak about DREAMers. These are children who are brought to this country in an illegal status because they are brought by their parents who are undocumented. These children often do not know that in fact they are…

Mr. President, I want to talk about something we all hear about and generally support--that the National Institutes of Health needs help. It was founded in 1887. Its work and investments in the work of others have led to countless…