president i wantt, to mentin the passing of former president jimmyt carter's who died peacefully on december 29th at his home in georgia at the age of 100 but he was governor of georgia, president of united states and perhaps better known for the work he did after leaving office and help those in need most notably through his decades long work with habitat for humanity. i will have much more to say about president carter next week but todayt just want to extend y condolences and my to his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they mourn their father and grandfather. mr. president i want to welcome members to the 119 congress particularly the freshmen senators who took the oath of office ss this morning. congratulations to the new secretary of the senate to grace out the code and in the new senate sergeant at arms for assuming the role today. i'm grateful for their service. the words of the oath which we here at the start of each congress are a reminder of a profound responsibility with which we have been entrusted to support and defend the constitution of the united states. 2