McConnell Honors Departing Senator Mike Braun
‘Here in the Senate, Mike’s going-out-of-business approach to public service made an early impression. Careful observers ranked him at one point the most effective freshman in the chamber. He dove head-first into legislation that mattered to him and to Indiana. He advocated passionately for farmers and for families impacted by rare diseases. He fought for outcomes, and stood on principle.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Senator Mike Braun (R-IN):
“My earliest participation in politics was wearing an ‘I Like Ike’ pin on school picture day. Well, last month, the state of Indiana was chanting ‘I like Mike’.
“Mike Braun’s fellow Hoosiers like him so much, in fact, they’ve decided to steal him back from Washington to be their governor. And if I know anything about Indiana’s junior Senator, he’s probably looking forward to trading in the trappings of this institution for a job a lot closer to home.
“But I’d like to say just a few words before he goes.
“Years ago, a local reporter asked Mike Braun about his approach to life and work. He told him, quote: ‘You live like you are going out of business every day and it makes you healthy.’
“For a spry, former three-sport athlete like Mike, that much checks out. But needless to say, in the process of keeping him young, our colleague’s mantra also brought a fair bit of [professional] success.
“Sure, a cushy white-collar gig and a predictable corporate ladder would have been the natural next step for a high-achiever fresh out of Harvard Business School. But where’s the fun in that?
“For Mike, in order to live like you’re going out of business, you have to run a business, yourself. You’ve got to build a team and take risks. And what better place to do that than your hometown.
“Most of us are familiar with at least some of what came next for Mike and his high-school sweetheart, Maureen.
“The life and business lessons of Mike’s dad, Amos, a decorated World War II vet…
“Steering a 15-person operation through the aftermath of the 1980s farm crisis, and turning it into a national team spread across 38 states…
“For years, running that success, with sleeves rolled up, from a trailer office…
“And raising four kids along the way, three of whom have found their own callings in the family business.
“As I understand it, we have Maureen to thank that this incredible story of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit took a turn into politics in the first place.
“When friends around Jasper tried drafting her to run for school board, she offered them Mike instead… and so began two decades and counting of life in politics.
“Here in the Senate, Mike’s going-out-of-business approach to public service made an early impression. Careful observers ranked him at one point the most effective freshman in the chamber.
“He dove head-first into legislation that mattered to him and to Indiana. He advocated passionately for farmers and for families impacted by rare diseases. He fought for outcomes, and stood on principle.
“But Hoosiers will be proud to know he still doesn’t like dressing up here on the Senate floor. And who can blame him. By Mike’s own admission, most of what he likes to do – tend the farm, fish, and hunt (both animals and mushrooms) – he can do within 60 miles of Jasper!
“So it speaks to Mike’s commitment to his neighbors that, even though he’s leaving Washington, he’s not quite going home just yet – nor will he be able to hang up the coat and tie.
“The trust of the people of Indiana is rightly a great source of pride for our colleague – second only to his pride in the family he and Maureen built. And I know he can’t wait to get to work for them in Indianapolis.
“I know I speak for our colleagues when I thank Mike for his service these past six years.
“We wish him all the best in the next chapter.”
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