Remarks
Currently showing results related to Tributes
McConnell Congratulates Senator Grassley on 12,000th Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today marking the 12,000th vote of Senator Grassley: "Last week, the Senate marked two milestones. "First, our colleague from Vermont cast vote number 15,000. "We all noted it at the time. "Then, our colleague from Iowa cast vote number 12,000. "That's what we'd like to note now. "It's true that Senator Grassley still has some catching up to do if he wants to overtake the Senator f… Continue Reading
11.03.15
McConnell on the Passing of Fred Thompson
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson: "There was never any doubt when our colleague from Tennessee was nearby. "Six feet six inches tall. "Deep, booming voice. "Magnetic personality that lit up any room he was in. "Fred Thompson may have been towered over the Senate in a very literal sense, but he was one of the most down-to-earth guys you'll ever meet. "He wa… Continue Reading
10.29.15
Speaker Ryan: A Big Heart, Extraordinary Intellect
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor welcoming the election of Paul Ryan as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives: "When responsibility calls, it's usually not at a time of our choosing. The decision to answer is rarely easy or straightforward. "Paul Ryan knows this. "He spent his nights dreaming about tax policy, not the speakership. "But our country is fortunate he stepped up to lead. I know I'm gratef… Continue Reading
10.29.15
John Boehner: ‘Country and Institution Before Self’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the retirement of House Speaker John Boehner: "There's a lot you can say about John Boehner. "He loves his breakfasts every morning at Pete's Diner. He's a fan of the tie dimple. He's one of the most genuine guys you'll meet. I know, because we've fought many battles together in the trenches." "He never breaks his word. He never buckles in a storm. And what's amazing is how … Continue Reading
10.22.15
Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring the Monuments Men
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders of the U.S. House and Senate held a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony today honoring the Monuments Men. The following are Leader McConnell's remarks delivered during the ceremony, which took place in Emancipation Hall, in the U.S. Capitol: "A few years ago, Louisville's Speed Art Museum unveiled an exhibit entitled Kentucky Home: The Colonial Revival Houses of Stratton O. Hammon. "Since designing his first house as a teenager in the 1920s, Hammon went on to become on… Continue Reading
09.30.15
Senator McConnell Honors Congressman Whitfield on the Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY-01) announcing his retirement following the end of his term: "Yesterday, Representative Ed Whitfield announced that he will retire at this end of this term. Ed has served Kentucky's first district for more than 20 years. He will be missed here in the Capitol when he retires. It's clear that his leadership will be missed back in Kentucky… Continue Reading
09.25.15
McConnell on House Speaker Boehner: ‘Country and Institution before Self’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the retirement of Speaker Boehner: "Grace under pressure. "Country and institution before self. "These are the first things that come to mind when I think of John Boehner. "He is an ally. He is a friend. And he took over as Republican Leader at a difficult time for his party. "When some said Republicans could never recover, he never gave up. "When some gave in to defeatis… Continue Reading
09.24.15
McConnell: A Privilege to Welcome the Pope to the Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier today welcomed Pope Francis to the U.S. Capitol. Following His Holiness' address during a Joint Meeting of Congress, Senator McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor: "I know I speak for the entire Senate when I say it was a privilege to welcome the Pope to the Capitol this morning. For the thousands who gathered on the Capitol lawn, it was an experience they're unlikely to ever forget. "A quiet nod. A soft … Continue Reading
07.08.15
Congressional Ceremony Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders of the U.S. House and Senate held a Congressional Commemoration in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The following are Leader McConnell's remarks delivered during the ceremony, which took place in Emancipation Hall, in the U.S. Capitol: "Each morning, dawn breaks over the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort. "Bars of light stream across the dome. "A hall of democracy brightens with renewed purpose. "And overlooking it, light pours onto 200 tons of granite… Continue Reading
06.18.15
McConnell on Charleston Tragedy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the tragic shootings in Charleston, South Carolina: "At this time I would like to take a moment to discuss the terrible news out of Charleston. "This is a true tragedy. It's always awful when a tragedy like this occurs, but to happen at a house of worship makes it even worse. Churches should be a place of refuge, a place where people feel safe and secure, a place of mer… Continue Reading
06.11.15
Tribute to Dr. James Billington, the Librarian of Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding retirement of Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington: "We recently learned that Dr. James Billington, the Librarian of Congress who's been with us for almost 30 years, will be retiring in January. "He plans to spend more time with his wife of nearly 58 years, Marjorie. He wants to see more of his 4 children and 12 grandchildren. I'm sure he'd also like to catch up with hi… Continue Reading
05.14.15
McConnell Honors Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor celebrating National Police Week 2015: "This week we welcome thousands of law-enforcement officers for National Police Week 2015. It's a time to pay tribute to all the men and women who serve in Federal, State, and local law enforcement across America. And it's a good time for those of us who benefit from the shield of protection that they provide-and that's all of us-to express our gra… Continue Reading
05.07.15
Tribute to Don Ritchie, Senate Historian
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today celebrating the career of Don Ritchie: "I'd like to bid a fond farewell to one of the smartest guys around here, Don Ritchie, who will be leaving us later this month. "He's been the Senate's Historian since 2009. "Don's only the second one we've ever had. His immediate - and only - predecessor, Richard Baker, hired him when the Senate Historical Office came into being in the mi… Continue Reading
03.10.15
Senator Edward W. Brooke
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding former Senator Brooke: "Later today, a former Senate colleague will be honored at the National Cathedral and laid to rest in Arlington. "Senator Brooke was a trailblazer. He was a model of honesty and courage in office. Through his example, Edward W. Brooke reminded Americans that anything was possible in their country. "In the years since Senator Brooke left office, we've s… Continue Reading
02.03.15
Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony Honoring 1st Special Service Force, the “Devil’s Brigade”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders of the U.S. House and Senate held a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the WWII "Devil's Brigade." The following are Leader McConnell's remarks delivered during the ceremony, which took place in Emancipation Hall, in the U.S. Capitol: "Sometimes, truth can be more impressive than fiction. "When it comes to the heroes we honor today, that's certainly the case. "Members of the elite 'Devil's Brigade' excelled in rock-climbing and amphibious assault. "They adv… Continue Reading
01.22.15
#tbt January 12, 2009 Senator McConnell Honors Senator Wendell Ford
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Monday, January 12, 2009, honoring Senator Wendell Ford: "A few months prior to this body's convening last week, I was grateful to be chosen by my colleagues to serve once again as the Senate Republican Leader. And I'd also like to thank the people of Kentucky for giving me another term in the U.S. Senate. "I'm privileged that Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate five times … Continue Reading
01.22.15
Former U.S. Sen. Wendell Ford
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the passing of former U.S. Sen. Wendell Ford: "Many have now heard the sad news: that one of the giants of Kentucky politics has passed away. "Wendell Ford first came to the Senate in the 1970s, calling himself just 'a dumb country boy with dirt between his toes.' But, over a distinguished two-decade career, this workhorse of the Senate would prove he was anything but. … Continue Reading
08.16.07
McConnell Delivers Remarks At The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
'Ronald Reagan would have a lot to say about today's Congress' Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following speech on Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery. "One of the things that really jumps off the page in the new Reagan Diaries is the love that Ronald Reagan had for his wife. In one entry he writes about calling a popular political cartoonist, who naturally tho… Continue Reading
