On the recordSeptember 17, 2019
I rise today with mixed emotions. I rise to recognize an incredible Georgian, a true statesman, a titan of the United States Senate, and, maybe most important, a friend to me and many people here in this town and back home in Georgia: Senator Johnny Isakson. Like everyone, I was surprised and saddened to hear of Johnny's upcoming retirement. Since my very first day in the Senate walking through this door back here to be sworn in with Johnny escorting me, I have come to revere this guy. He has been a mentor that I have looked up to. He has been a great leader for our State for many years. He has been a reliable and effective colleague. Most of all, he has been a friend whom I deeply cherish. It will be hard to see him go, but the reality is he won't go. He will still be involved here. I am sure I will get the phone calls about when we might have disagreed on a vote or why didn't I think about this. He has been a tremendous partner for me these last 4 years. However, Johnny has left a profound legacy that is worth celebrating. It is one that we should all strive to follow here in this body. He epitomizes the best of this body, the United States Senate. His legacy can be summed up in one word: service. No matter what he does, Johnny puts other people before himself, and this has continued since the first day I knew him back when he was running a real estate company in Atlanta, GA. Johnny puts other people first before himself.…
