[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE HISTORIC CAREER OF SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH 
                               McCONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2018

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on becoming the longest serving 
Republican Senate Leader with a historic tenure of 11 years, 5 months 
and 10 days. My dear friend and colleague from Kentucky is a masterful 
political strategist with a once in a generation political mind, and it 
gives me great pride and happiness to recognize him on the achievement 
of this remarkable milestone.
  For decades, Leader McConnell has dedicated himself to the public 
service of the Nation, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the Republican 
Party. Guided by a deep-seeded conservatism, an unparalleled respect 
for our great Nation's Constitution and the institutions of our 
democracy, and the ever-relevant wisdom of our Founding Fathers, Leader 
McConnell has demonstrated unmatched political acumen and dynamic 
leadership. His instincts are second to none: he knows when to fight 
and he knows when to compromise. The Leader is calculated and tactical, 
with keen foresight, and he works harder than anyone in the U.S. 
Capitol building. As a result, he simply gets things done.
  While he has been at the helm of our great Party during times of 
celebration, prosperity and jubilance, the Senator has also never 
hesitated to step forward and lead the Party in times of turbulence and 
controversy. Through it all, he has seemed unflappable. Time after 
time, Senator McConnell has taken on a leadership role and worked 
tirelessly for the Republican Party by serving as our Party's Senate 
Whip, Minority Leader, and Majority Leader. While holding each of these 
positions, Senator McConnell has worked to unify and guide the Party in 
the right direction. In doing so, he has rightfully attained the 
confidence, respect, and admiration of his colleagues and garnered many 
great accomplishments in the process.
  As Senate Minority Leader, Senator McConnell held closely to his 
conservative values in spite of enormous pressure from an opposing 
Democratic Party in Congress and Presidential Administration. As the 
momentum in Congress began to turn, Senator McConnell once again 
stepped up to the challenge when his colleagues elected him as Senate 
Majority Leader. While holding this leadership position, he has 
achieved many successes, including the confirmation of Justice Neil 
Gorsuch to the Supreme Court and passage of the Senate's Tax Reform 
bill--both of which required a champion who was not afraid to be a 
target of criticism. Both victories serve as a testament to Leader 
McConnell's vision as one of the finest master strategists in the 
history of the U.S. Senate.
  Throughout Leader McConnell's tenure, he has also brought great 
esteem to our state and always remembered to prioritize our old 
Kentucky home. He has also continued to proudly represent our region 
since he was first elected as Senator in 1984. It has been a joy of 
mine to work alongside him on various bills and projects that have 
positively impacted Kentuckians. Together, we have worked to create 
jobs, support veterans, protect the coal industry, and sustain 
agriculture within Kentucky. I look forward to continuing our 
collaboration to further the prosperity of the people and communities 
of our beloved Southern and Eastern Kentucky.
  Once again, I would like to congratulate Leader McConnell for this 
major milestone in his career of public service. It has been a pleasure 
to serve alongside him in Congress and to observe these historic 
moments of success. I wish him many more years of continued good 
health, happiness, and success.

                          ____________________