On the recordNovember 29, 2011
last week we celebrated Thanksgiving, the time of year when we look back and we give thanks for our blessings. We are all grateful for our family, our men and women in uniform, and those who also defend our Nation in civilian life. I am particularly thankful this year, because 1 year ago today I had the honor of my life to be sworn in as the newest junior Senator for the State of Illinois to complete Senator Obama's term. And what a year it has been. Coming from the House of Representatives, I had to adjust to the measured place and pace of the Senate. But while Americans may have a dim view of what we do here, I remain an optimist. Americans have always faced tough challenges but then rose to the occasion more successfully than any other people in history. Although I believe there is much more to do to reduce debt, repeal burdensome regulations, and encourage job creation, I want to take a few minutes to lay out what my team has accomplished for the State of Illinois and the Nation in 1 year. In my first 30 days in office we moved three times, we hired a staff, and then voted to prevent the largest tax increase in history, while Congress extended tax relief for millions of Americans in that legislation. We also worked to block the transfer of al-Qaida terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to northwestern Illinois.…





