On the recordJanuary 5, 2011
I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring the Senator from Maryland, Barbara Mikulski--the longest serving woman in the history of the U.S. Senate. It has been an honor to serve with Senator Mikulski in my 2 years in this body. She quickly became a dear friend and a valuable mentor--just as she has been for all of her other female colleagues as the dean of the women Senators. It wasn't until 1932 that Hattie Caraway became the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate. And it wasn't until a half century later-- 1986--that against all odds, Barbara Mikulski became the first Democratic woman ever elected to the Senate in her own right. Now the longest serving woman in this Chamber's entire history, Senator Mikulski is showing just what is possible when you ignore conventional wisdom, never stop fighting for what is right and just, and honor our commitment to the families that elect us every single day. One of her hallmark battles has been the fight for equal pay for equal work for women. This is not only an issue of justice, but an economic imperative. Even today, for every dollar a man makes, a woman makes just 78 cents--a disparity that is even worse for women of color. Latino women make just 53 cents, and African-American women make just 62 cents for every dollar a man makes. I know Senator Mikulski won't give up until we correct this outrageous injustice.
