Barbara Mikulski: “I want you to know that I absolutely agree with you that astronaut safety has to be our highest priority.”

Without a monument to the great women of American history who paved the way for us to fully participate in and shape our democracy, the telling of the American story on our National Mall is not yet complete.

As the longest serving woman in congressional history, I proudly stand on the shoulders of the suffragists who fought bravely and boldly for generations to secure women's political equality.

It will be a proud day for our country when every girl who visits the National Mall is able to see herself represented amongst the giants of our national story.

We especially thank Senate Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran and Vice-Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski for their unwavering support for the NIH.