On the recordDecember 4, 2024
I rise today to honor my friend, my colleague, the senior Senator from the great State of Michigan, Debbie Stabenow. Throughout her entire career, Senator Stabenow has been an absolutely tireless advocate for our State and an unrelenting fighter for every single person living in Michigan. As a result, she is an absolutely beloved public servant in my State. Debbie's career in public service has been defined by her trailblazing accomplishments. It was 50 years ago this November--as Debbie mentioned, she was merely 5--but she was in graduate school at Michigan State University. I don't know how you did all of that, Debbie. But as she was a graduate student at Michigan State, she was first elected to serve on the Ingham County Commission. She went on to become both the first and the youngest woman to chair that commission. Debbie's career then took her to the Michigan Legislature, where she became the first woman to preside over the Michigan State House. After successful stints in the Michigan State Senate and U.S. House, she was elected to serve in the U.S. Senate in 2000. She made history once again, as the first woman to represent Michigan in the Senate. As soon as she arrived, Debbie hit the ground running. I think it is safe to say she never stopped running. She has always fought to make meaningful, positive change for our State, as well as for our entire country. The very first piece of legislation that she passed into law as a U.S.…





