[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S907-S908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SECRETARY OF THE SENATE

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, we begin this week on a joyful note: 
welcoming an outstanding individual to serve as the new Secretary of 
the Senate, Ann Berry from the office of one Senator Patrick Leahy.
  The position of the Secretary of the Senate dates back to April 8, 
1789, just 2 days after the Senate achieved its first quorum. Today, 1 
day after the conclusion of Black History Month and on the first day of 
Women's History Month, Ann Berry was just sworn in as the first Black 
woman to ever serve as Secretary of the Senate--another glass ceiling 
broken.
  It is a testament to her outstanding career as a public servant of 
the highest caliber. Over her 40 years in Washington, Ann has come to 
know the ins and outs of the Senate better than just about anyone else 
who works in the Capitol Complex. She came to Washington, a proud 
native of Birmingham,

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AL, and a graduate of the University of North Alabama, to work for 
Senator Howell Heflin.
  Clearly, word got around about her talents because, over the course 
of her career, she went to work for Senators Carper, Edwards, Moynihan, 
Jones, and, most recently, as Senator Leahy's deputy chief of staff, 
where she was an indispensable resource not only to Senator Leahy's 
office but to my team and to countless other Senators.
  I want to thank Senator Leahy for parting with Ann and lending her 
considerable talents to the full Senate. He told me he regretted her 
going, but he was so glad that the Senate had seen her talents.
  And thank you, Ann. Thank you for accepting this incredible 
responsibility. Congratulations on beginning your historic tenure, and 
we all wish you the best as you work to bring this great institution to 
life.
  As we all welcome Ann to her new role, the Senate bids a fond 
farewell to Julie Adams and Mary Jones. Over the last 6 years, Julie 
Adams and Mary Jones have served as Secretary and Assistant Secretary 
of the U.S. Senate with impeccable skill and unflappable 
professionalism.
  Both are longtime veterans of Washington. Julie worked for many years 
under Leader McConnell and First Lady Laura Bush, while Mary served in 
the White House under President George H. W. Bush and, as I remember, 
because I was, I guess, chairman or ranking member--I can't recall 
which, maybe both--as staff director of the Senate Rules and 
Administration Committee, where she did just a great job.
  Both of them are friendly and familiar faces around here in the 
Senate. Both have earned the respect here in the Senate of just about 
everyone who has worked with them.
  Of course, Julie and Mary deserve special praise for their leadership 
over the last 12 months. As a global pandemic forced the Senate to 
adapt to new ways, they kept the Senate functioning in the midst of 
this historic crisis. And in the wake of the horrific attacks on 
January 6, Julie and Mary were heroic--heroic--in getting the Senate 
back on its feet only a few hours after the violence had been quelled.
  To Julie and Mary, thank you. Thank you for all you have done. The 
entire Senate wishes you and your families the very best, and we look 
forward to seeing what the road ahead holds for both of you.

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