The end of the year. Over the last few months there have been numerous tributes to johnny here on the senate floor. Hes been called a real friend, mentor, more than a colleague, humble and tenacious. They dont come any better. Thats just by democrats. Thats one of the reasons i suggested to leader mcconnell we have a lunch for Johnny Isakson which were having this afternoon. Just like theres good reason to praise Johnny Isakson and the ways democrats did, theres good reason that during his chairmanship isaksons committee passed so many bipartisan bills, 57 to be exact, to help veterans, because he treated everyone democrat, republican, independent, newly elected or Committee Chair with respect. And johnny never let the cynicism of our political times dim his faith in our ability to get something done. He didnt have the loudest voice in the room but it was often the most influential. Thats because he built up years worth of trust. He never doubted his word. He was an honest broker. Whenever a chasm seemed to separate the parties upon a certain issue, isakson was often the one spanning the divide. I know that from experience over and over again. One example, when families in new york struggled to recover from disasters like sandy only to find Flood Insurance rates were crushing them with enormous debt, it was senator isakson whose state suffered its fair of disasters, who worked with my office to find a solution. We made enormous progress together working to strengthen media shield laws, protecting fearless and independent journalism at a time when we need to stand up for a free and open press. And in this most important appropriations process, we worked together to help the widows and children impacted by 9 11 gain access to a special terror victims fund. I want to thank him personally for that and more broadly, i want to thank him for the example he set for many of other senators. There are many fine adjectives that will be used to describe senator isakson, and all of them will be well deserved. But one word used to describe senator isakson is not often found in the halls of congress. Kind. Johnny isakson is one of the kindest, most thoughtful senators ive known in my time here. A true statesman. Thats why i know that independent of any party or politics, everyone will miss johnny. Ill have more to say about our friend at the bipartisan lunch this afternoon. But for now, id like to note for the record senator isaksons many years of faithful service to his beloved state of georgia and his country. We wish him and dianne the very best as he enters the n the presiding officer the senator from georgia. Mr. Perdue madam president , its always a privilege to come before the United States senate. I always