On the recordDecember 18, 2020
I am honored to pay tribute to my colleague, Senator Lamar Alexander. When speaking about the Senate, Senator Alexander often says, ``It's hard to get here, it's hard to stay here, and while you're here, you might as well try to accomplish something good for the country.'' Over his 18 years in this institution, he has embodied those words and has served as a guiding force of principle and bipartisanship. Under his 6 years of leadership as chair, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee reported 45 bills that became law. It is a shining example of his commitment to working together and finding resolution on issues that directly impact Americans' lives. As a member of the HELP Committee, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Senator Alexander on some of these bills, such as the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 and the reauthorization of the Perkins Career and Technical Education law, among others. I am also thankful for Chair Alexander's, as well as Ranking Member Patty Murray's, support for my work to lower the cost of prescription drugs and improve access to mental health services. When I came to the Senate in 2018, Senator Alexander welcomed me as a colleague and friend, for which I will always be grateful. While I will miss his esteemed, bipartisan leadership, both on the HELP Committee and in the Senate, I am grateful for his service to our country and wish him and Honey the best in their next chapter.
