Isakson, what a fine man. Members of this chamber today will hold a bipartisan lunch to say goodbye to one of our most beloved colleagues Johnny Isakson who is retiring before 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, a mentor, more than a colleague, humble and tenacious, they dont come any better. Thats just my democrats. Thats one of the reasons i suggested to leader mcconnell that we have a lunch for Johnny Isakson which were having this afternoon. Just like theres good reason to praise Johnny Isakson in the ways that 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 dim his faith in our ability to get something done. He didnt have the loudest voice in the room, but was often the most influential because he built up years worth of trust. Never doubted his word, he was an honest broker. So whenever a chasm seemed to separate the party on an issue. Isakson was often spanning the divide. I know that from experience over and over. When families in new york struggled to recover from disasters like sandy and insurance rates were crushing them with enormous death, senator isakson worked with my office to find a solution. We made enormous progress together to strengthen media shield laws and protecting journalism at a time when we need a free and open press. And in the appropriations process, we Work Together to help and widows and children impacted by 9 11 gain access to a special terror victims funding. I want to thank him for that and more broadly thank him for the example he set for many other senators. There are many fine adjective that will be use today 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 kindness, most thoughtful senators ive known in my time here, a true statesman. I know independent of any party or politics, everyone will miss johnny. Ill have more to say at the bipartisan lunch this afternoon, but for now, id like to note for the record, senator isaksons faithful service to his beloved