[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 189 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S7224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ELLEN MURRAY

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Ellen Murray, 
who retired earlier this year after serving many, many years on the 
Senate Appropriations Committee across two different periods and who 
has left her fingerprints on so much of the crucial legislation to 
support our communities, help families grow and thrive, open doors of 
opportunity for students and workers, as well as strengthen our economy 
and the financial well-being of working people across the country, who 
are the backbone of our economy.
  In 1999, Ellen Murray joined the staff of the Senate Appropriations 
Committee on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, 
Education, and Related Agencies and became the clerk of the 
subcommittee in 2000. In 2017, Ellen returned to the committee, after 
serving in the administration of President Obama, and was named clerk 
of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. Across 
the two subcommittees, she served under Senators Harkin, Coons, and Van 
Hollen, and we all can attest that she was an invaluable member of both 
teams.
  Through global challenges and economic tumult--including a historic 
pandemic that posed a serious threat to our Nation's economy and to 
families' futures--Ellen was at the center of crucial work to secure 
critical investments that help our government and our economy keep 
running smoothly and help families stay healthy and safe. She has 
worked tirelessly to make sure we are meeting the needs of families on 
the ground and providing the resources our government needs to do the 
work for the American people, protect consumers and workers, enforce 
laws, advance lifesaving medical research, and keep our economy and our 
communities secure, growing and thriving--and make life a little easier 
for families to look after their kids, look after their health, and 
make ends meet.
  Among her many accomplishments, Ellen helped negotiate countless 
appropriations bills, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and 
the CARES Act, and was a fierce advocate for good government. The 
progress we made on these issues is part of an incredible legacy she 
has written into our Nation's health, education, labor, and financial 
laws through her work. Ellen cared deeply about her work and the people 
around her. She advocated for her issues, but perhaps most importantly, 
she advocated for her team. She has left behind a legacy of mentorship 
and a community of appropriations staff who are that much better 
because of her influence.
  We all owe Ellen a debt of gratitude for working through many long 
nights and weekends and for completing many hard negotiations in 
service of our Nation. As chair of the Appropriations Committee, I 
depended on Ellen's wisdom and counsel, and it is clear to all that her 
expertise, dedication, and ability to work across the aisle to make 
progress have made our country stronger. She will be deeply missed.
  On behalf of all the past committee leadership--and all the Senators 
and staff--who have worked with Ellen over the years and who know 
firsthand just how impactful her counsel has been, I would like to 
thank you, Ellen, for your service. You are missed, and we wish you all 
the best for what lies ahead. Thank you.

                          ____________________