[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ALEXANDRA JENKINS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, my late friend and former chair of the 
Ethics Committee, Johnny Isakson, liked to warn folks not to drown in 
shallow water. What he meant, of course, was that while you are focused 
on the big picture, you can't forget to dot your i's and cross your 
t's.
  Well, my entire team is fortunate that my office manager, Alexandra 
Jenkins, took that advice as words to live by.
  Alex, of course, is a proud Kentuckian. And as I was reminded during 
my travels during a State work period, Kentucky is quite proud of her 
as well.
  So is our shared alma mater. It is not uncommon for McConnell 
Scholars in Louisville to come up to me eager to let me know that they 
know Alex. I suspect they see in her what my staff saw in her years 
ago, when she joined the team--a passion for public service and a 
wisdom beyond her years.
  It didn't take long before the selfless initiative that prompted Alex 
to quietly come into work on Sundays to help Kentuckians secure coveted 
tickets for White House tours invited even greater responsibilities.
  As office manager, Alex is constantly immersed in the minutiae of 
Senate policy and personnel. Well before an issue arises, she makes it 
her business to become an expert. When my senior-most staff need honest 
assessments to make sensitive decisions, Alex doesn't pull any punches. 
Her competence and composure prevent headaches and quite literally keep 
our team out of harm's way.
  I can't help but recall how, on January 6, while working from home, 
Alex provided such timely instructions and updates to members of my 
staff literally locked down in the Capitol that many of them assumed 
she was there as well.
  I know my entire team is grateful for Alex's patience, her 
friendship, and the biting wit that keeps officemates on their toes.
  And behind only her proud mom Debra, I count myself among her biggest 
fans.
  So, Alex, thank you.
  For a second week in a row, I close by saying that there are still 
many more incredibly talented and dedicated public servants that I need 
to thank publicly in the days ahead. In the meantime, my entire team 
will continue to do what they do best on behalf of Kentucky and the 
entire Nation.

                          ____________________