On the recordMarch 21, 2012
first of all, I wish to say what a pleasure it is to welcome Senator Sarbanes back. I had the pleasure of sitting beside him on the Foreign Relations Committee for 24 years. We miss his judgment and wisdom. We could use it these days. I wish to welcome Governor O'Malley. I can't think of a time, when people have stood up to laud a fellow Senator, that a Governor of their State is sitting and listening. All of the comments to this moment and beyond will undoubtedly echo the remarkable affection that everybody has for Barbara Mikulski and particularly the high regard in which she is held. This is a very special celebration for the longest serving woman in the history of the Congress, 12,862 days today and counting. In that time--I recall when I first came here there was one woman serving, and that was Senator Nancy Kassebaum--it is fair to say Barbara Mikulski has been one of the pivotal forces in creating and assembling what I would call a true ``band of sisters''--the women with whom she has served in the Senate, each of whom makes extraordinary contributions to this institution. We have heard from other colleagues that her career is filled with milestones, and it is. She is the first Democratic woman to serve in both Houses of Congress. She is the first Democratic woman elected to Senate leadership. She is the first woman elected to statewide office in Maryland. These are just a few.…
