John Cornyn: “I want to say a word about one of my staff members, Emily Costanzo, who has served in my office for the last 5\1/ 2\…”

“I want to say a word about one of my staff members, Emily Costanzo, who has served in my office for the last 5\1/ 2\ years. Emily is what we call a speechwriter. Speechwriters are unique, in my experience, certainly here in the Senate, because most Senators are accustomed to giving a lot of speeches--some of them not very good, some of them occasionally decent. But the fact is, when you give a speech, as I have just done, usually it involves a number of considerations: It involves policy; it involves Senate procedures; it involves a lot of different considerations. Emily has been an invaluable member of my staff for the last 5\1/2\ years to help me be as good as I am capable of being in providing me with the support I need in order to represent the 30 million people of Texas here in the U.S. Senate. Emily, fortunately, is here in the back of the room. Emily, let me just say you will be missed, especially your positive, cheerful countenance, and certainly the great work that you have been able to do all of these years. I wish you and Jake the very best in this next chapter of your lives. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sanders). The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.”