Orrin Hatch: “today I wish to pay tribute to Barbara Mikulski, who is retiring from the Senate this year, having spent 40 years…”

“today I wish to pay tribute to Barbara Mikulski, who is retiring from the Senate this year, having spent 40 years serving the people of Maryland in Congress. Senator Mikulski has been a trailblazer all her life. She grew up in east Baltimore and attended Mount Saint Agnes College and the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She began her career as a social worker and community organizer before being elected to the Baltimore City Council in 1971. In 1976, Senator Mikulski won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served for 10 years before winning election to the Senate in 1986. At the time Senator Mikulski began her Senate service, she was one of only two female Senators. Today there are 20 female Senators. Next Congress there will be 21. Senator Mikulski has served as a role model and mentor for many of these leaders. She is the longest serving woman in the history of the U.S. Congress and retires as an icon for many young women who dream of serving their country in elected office. Senator Mikulski has been a leader for many years on health care, education, and veterans' issues. She is the first woman and first Marylander to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of the most influential committees in Congress. Senator Mikulski has been a strong supporter of our Nation's space program throughout her time in Congress and was instrumental in the creation and launch of the Hubble and Webb space telescopes.…”