On the recordApril 16, 2024
Mr. President, I come here today to commemorate the retirement of one of my longest serving staff in my time in the Senate, Debra Jarrett. She has been my administrative director for the last 9 years. She has worked in the Senate for 29 years. I was looking it up on the internet earlier today. To give you an idea of how long ago 29 years was, that was the year that ladies were getting ``Rachel'' haircuts because ``Friends'' was one of the most popular shows on. Jennifer Aniston was rocking the ``Rachel'' haircut. Boyz II Men was topping the charts. It was a long time ago. Debra really quickly demonstrated that this was probably the right place for her to start her career; and, today, we are looking at her turning another chapter. My staff put together some comments that I am being loosely advised by. They said it was a bittersweet moment. Well, I personally think it is bitter. I am sure it is sweet for Debra, the person who is going to be retiring. I think it is probably a violation of the rules to point back here where Debra is sitting, so I am not going to do that. But if it wasn't a violation of the rules, I would point there. That is Debra, sitting here behind me on my wing, which she has been several times before. When you come to the Senate, the amazing thing about coming to the U.S. Senate--I came in 2015--is they say, you know, ``Congratulations.'' They swear you in. They give you an allocation of money to run your operations.…





