Amy Klobuchar: “today I rise to honor and pay tribute to my good friend Senator Johnny Isakson on his retirement from the U.S. Senate.…”

“today I rise to honor and pay tribute to my good friend Senator Johnny Isakson on his retirement from the U.S. Senate. Throughout the years, I have gotten to know Johnny as a colleague but more importantly as a friend. Together, we cochaired the National Prayer Breakfast and attended the weekly Senate Prayer Breakfast. I always came away from those breakfasts thankful for colleagues like Johnny, who reminded me that we all share a common purpose and a common humanity and that, with faith and forgiveness, we can start anew. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Johnny was always a tireless champion for our Nation's veterans--leading on issues that face all of our brave men and women who have stepped up and served our country. Without Johnny, important legislation like the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act--also known as the Forever GI Bill--to increase the number of veterans who can access benefits under the post-9-11 GI bill, would not have been signed into law in 2017. And whether it was his work on the Finance, Foreign Relations, or Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committees, Johnny exemplified a fighting spirit and an enduring commitment to service.…”