Tribute in Honor of Sen. Mitch McConnell

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my Kentucky colleague in the Senate Chamber, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell who recently became the longest-serving party leader in American history. On January 3, 2023, Senator McConnell surpassed the record held by Democratic Sen. Mike Mansfield of Montana. Since 2006, Senator McConnell has won the respect and trust of his colleagues who have rightly given him their vote of confidence nine consecutive times to lead the Republican conference.

Senator McConnell started breaking records early in his career. When he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984, it was the first time that a Republican had won a statewide race in sixteen years. In fact, his election gave Republicans a newfound confidence Kentucky politics, and he remains the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history. His historic service is marked by courageous legislation, a stronger national defense, and a transformation of the federal judiciary. During his service as Majority Leader, he led Senate confirmation of three justices and 30 percent of circuit court judges nationwide.

Senator McConnell and I share a mutual mentor from southern Kentucky, the late Senator John Sherman Cooper. Senator McConnell's success in public service reflects the many values that Senator Cooper shared with us, including unwavering perseverance, wisdom in negotiations, visionary leadership, and astutely serving as a ``consummate bridge builder,'' as Senator McConnell once described our mentor.

Together, we have partnered on countless projects for the benefit of our fellow Kentuckians, and I count it a great honor to call Senator McConnell a close friend and valiant ally in public service. I applaud Senator McConnell on achieving this significant milestone in American history and I wish him continued success on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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