Jay Rockefeller: “I want to join my colleagues in congratulating Senator Barbara A. Mikulski as she becomes the longest serving female…”

“I want to join my colleagues in congratulating Senator Barbara A. Mikulski as she becomes the longest serving female Senator in American history. Senator Mikulski and I began our Senate careers in the 1980s, and it has been my privilege to serve with her. We have worked together on many, many issues, including 975 bills. Two hundred eighty-five of those bills passed the Senate and 184 were signed into law, including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 in the last Congress. I am proud of our combined accomplishments and to call her my colleague and friend. It is a great honor to serve with Senator Mikulski. Senator Mikulski and I have more in common than some know. My life-changing experience with the VISTA program in the 1960s fueled my commitment to public service in much the same way Senator Mikulski's experience as a social worker in Baltimore fueled hers. Our early experiences remain the foundation of our shared commitment to quality health care for all people. Senator Mikulski and I have worked tirelessly together to expand access to cancer screenings and increase funding for medical research, including Alzheimer's disease. I was proud to stand with Senator Mikulski last year to pass historic health care reform. Her commitment to opening doors for all members of our society is to be commended. Even though she stands at 4'11" and I at 6'7", we have stood eye-to-eye in supporting our veterans.”