[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 73 (Monday, May 1, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Tribute to Benjamin L. Cardin

  Madam President, finally, on another retirement announced just this 
afternoon: Let me close by honoring another great friend--beloved, 
truly beloved Member of our Senate, our dear colleague Ben Cardin of 
Maryland, who announced earlier today that he will retire at the end of 
this term. He is one of my dearest friends in the Senate and has been 
for a very long time and someone I have always admired for favoring 
substance over flash, for digging deeply into issues, and for his 
ability time and time again to persuade his colleagues of the justice 
of his causes, often working across the aisle to turn his ideas into 
successful legislation.
  In Senator Cardin, the people of Maryland have been gifted with the 
consummate public servant. ``Consummate public servant,'' doesn't that 
describe Ben so well? Whether representing Marylanders in the State 
House of Delegates or in Congress or in the Senate, Ben's north star 
has never changed: It is the people he serves, the communities he knows 
well, and the country he so dearly loves.
  And whether in foreign or domestic issues, he put the issues first, 
the politics second. And in doing so, won the respect of every corner 
of this Chamber.
  As Chair of the Small Business Committee, he spent years fighting for 
Main Street and been a tireless advocate for job creators and 
entrepreneurs, especially those who don't always have a seat at the 
table.
  And during COVID, Senator Cardin's leadership and expertise were 
absolutely essential as we passed legislation to protect family 
restaurants, local shop owners, independent businesses. There are tens 
of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, of small businesses that 
are in existence now that wouldn't have been had Ben not fought so hard 
for them.
  So, in conclusion, I wish Ben and Myrna the very best on their road 
ahead. I have no doubt they will find new ways to serve the State of 
Maryland moving forward. And we will remain friends forever.
  I yield the floor.