On the recordDecember 4, 2024
Mr. President, I rise today to first thank the leader for those generous comments and to mark for my colleagues the departure soon from my service here in the Senate. During my life, I have rarely been truly alone--maybe taking tests at school or running cross country or on my uncle's tractor, cultivating corn. But I am impressed with people who have achieved great things largely on their own: Washington commanding the Continental Army, Lincoln guiding the Civil War, Edison in his laboratory. Not me. I have consistently been surrounded by others--usually smarter, often more experienced, always becoming friends. In business, I chose partners with skills that exceeded mine, the proof of which has been their stunning success after I left. As Governor, my team helped craft the health plan that insured nearly every citizen in Massachusetts. My wingman, Bob White, counseled me in business, the Olympics, and politics. My counselor, Beth Myers, advised and managed multiple campaigns and administrations. Spencer Zwick financed and helped guide almost every one of my endeavors. My Senate chiefs of staff, Matt Waldrip and Liz Johnson, built and brilliantly led an exceptional team and, with our policy directors, Chris Barkley and Stephen Newton, crafted and negotiated more legislation that became law than could possibly have been expected for a freshman Senator. Mr.…





