[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 167 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Democratic Senators-Elect

  Mr. President, for the new Senators on our side of the aisle, 
yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to formally welcome all the 
new Democratic Senators-elect for the first time since their victories. 
I have gotten to know each and every one of them individually over the 
course of the campaign, but it was truly special to see them all 
together here in the Senate, not as candidates but as leaders ready to 
get to work. There are two things that make this incoming class of 
Senators special. They are not only of extremely high caliber, each one 
of them, but many will be making history.
  First, I am thrilled to welcome Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks. 
Senator-elect Alsobrooks will become the first African-American Senator 
ever from the State of Maryland. She is the kind of leader people in 
Maryland deserve--born in Maryland, educated in Maryland, and spent her 
entire career serving the people of her State.
  Our new Member from Delaware, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, will also 
become the first woman and first person of color ever to represent the 
first State in this Chamber. She has had a fabulous career in the House 
and is going to do really fine things for her State and for her country 
here in the Senate.
  Senator-elect Ruben Gallego, of Arizona, will become Arizona's first-
ever Latino Senator in a State where nearly one-third of the population 
is Hispanic. He is the son of a Colombian mother and Mexican father 
raised in a single-parent household. He joined the Marines and served 
in Iraq.
  Like the other Members of the House who are coming here, all five 
have done great jobs in the House and certainly deserved elevation. He 
was a fabulous Member of the House and became a leader on so many 
different issues.
  Senator-elect   Andy Kim, of New Jersey, will become the first Korean 
American to serve in the Senate. His story is the embodiment of the 
American dream. The son of Korean immigrants, a product of New Jersey 
public schools, an outstanding public servant in the House, and now a 
U.S. Senator-elect. Like his colleagues, he had a fabulous career in 
the House and is soon to embark on a fabulous career in the Senate.
  And we also welcome Senator Elissa Slotkin, of Michigan, a third-
generation Michigander, a leading voice in our national security. She 
served in the CIA under George Bush--truly a bipartisan credential--and 
in the Department of Defense. And in the House, she was a real leader 
on foreign policy and defense and intelligence issues. She is going to 
follow in the footsteps of our friend Debbie Stabenow and do a great 
job.
  Finally, I would like to welcome Senator-elect Adam Schiff of 
California, a longtime leader among House Democrats. One of the leaders 
in the House, he established himself as a leader shortly after he got 
there. Former chair of the House Intelligence Committee and just an 
amazing and articulate voice on so many different issues. He will be 
taking the place of Senator Laphonza Butler.
  Finally, let me say this. This new generation of Senators on our side 
is the most diverse slate of candidates ever. Senators-elect Blunt 
Rochester and Alsobrooks mark the first time in the Senate's history 
two Black women will hold office at the same time. Senator Kim is the 
first Korean American to serve. Senator Gallego expands the number of 
Hispanic representatives in our Senate. So we set a record. Not only 
are there five great House Members and then a great executive of Prince 
George's County, but of our six Senators-elect, a majority are people 
of color--qualified, hard-working people of color. That is a great 
thing for the Senate, and it is a great thing for the United States of 
America.
  I congratulate each of them and say we can't wait to get to work with 
you.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Illinois.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent to complete my remarks before the 
rollcall vote starts.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.