[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Tribute to Mary Glenn
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, 26 years ago, almost to the day, I came
here to the Senate floor to speak about a mom in Washington State and a
member of my staff. Mary Glenn had come to Congress with Senator
Feinstein, a few years before, to share the story of her son Shaun, who
was tragically killed by gun violence, and to advocate for change.
As a mother myself, I couldn't imagine the pain that she had gone
through, but I could absolutely recognize her passion and her resolve
to respond to challenges and hardships, not by getting discouraged but
by getting determined to make a difference.
So not long after Mary brought her story here to the Senate, I
brought Mary herself onto my team in Seattle, in September of 1995, and
it was the best decision I could have made.
Over her 31 years on my team, Mary has handled well over 20,000
constituent cases. That is astounding--20,000. Each case represents an
individual or a family seeking help, usually under difficult
circumstances. Mary gave everyone who reached out compassion, and she
got them results: helping people who were struggling to keep their
utilities on and connecting them with social services that could assist
them; helping families stay in their homes and fight off eviction.
And no one--absolutely no one--could do more to help seniors get
their Social Security and Medicare benefits than Mary Glenn. In some
cases, Mary helped people finally get hundreds of thousands of dollars
they were owed by the government.
We are talking about life-changing and lifesaving victories for
people back in my State.
I remember, during the 2008 economic crisis, she saved so many
families from losing their homes that we heard lobbyists here in DC
were complaining about her for being too effective. My response to
that: Too bad.
Whatever the case, whatever the challenges, Mary has never been
afraid to go against big Agencies, navigate complicated systems, or
even go toe to toe with powerful special interests.
Now, after many years and countless victories for Washington State
families, Mary is moving on to a well-earned retirement. We all wish
her the best as she spends more time with her family--her daughter
Tiffany, her son-in-law Jon, and especially her grandkids Adalyn and
Ellis--and more time at Dawson's, her home away from home.
We are all going to miss her dearly at our office because Mary is
more than a trusted resource for our constituents. She is also an
invaluable resource to everyone she works with, someone we all turn to
for her knowledge, her advice, and her guidance. She exemplifies a true
commitment to public service.
When I came to this floor to share Mary's story all those years ago,
I came here to speak about a mom who had the strength to speak out
after a painful tragedy. Today, I am speaking about a mom but also a
grandma, an incredible champion for Washington State families, and a
friend.
Mary, thank you. I know Shaun would be so proud of everything you
have done to fight for change. You have helped so many families through
your hard work, and you have inspired so many people through your
resilience, including me.
I yield the floor.
Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. RICKETTS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(The remarks of Mr. Ricketts pertaining to the introduction of S.
4560 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced
Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. RICKETTS. I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.
Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to begin the
next vote immediately.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.