‘Today, Senator Hatch becomes part of a small group. He’s now one of fewer than 15 senators in history, and the only senator in the history of Utah, to have cast 12,000 votes in the well of the U.S. Senate’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks Thursday in honor of U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch reaching the milestone of 12,000 votes in the United States Senate:
“I rise to honor our colleague and friend, the esteemed Senior Senator from Utah, on the occasion of his 12,000th vote. Today, Senator Hatch becomes part of a small group. He’s now one of fewer than 15 senators in history, and the only senator in the history of Utah, to have cast 12,000 votes in the well of the U.S. Senate.
“The people of Utah have elected Orrin Hatch to this body six times. And I’m sure they couldn’t be more proud to see him reach this important milestone. For more than 32 years, he’s been a phenomenal representative of the Beehive State. He’s made sure that no one in Washington, as he likes to put it, has been able to push Utah around.
“He’s also made a lot of sacrifices in the process. A few years ago, when Senator Hatch was deciding whether to run for reelection, his wife Elaine asked if maybe it was time for him to leave Washington so they could have a life. Orrin responded with the words of a public servant: ‘This is our life,’ he said. ‘My life is a life of service.’
“It started out early. As a young man growing up in Pittsburgh, Orrin was elected to the student senate and then as student body president at Baldwin High School. Later, at Brigham Young University, thanks to an alphabetical seating chart, he met Elaine Hansen. It was probably the only thing he ever got in life simply by way of good luck.
“Orrin was always a hard worker. As a boy, he sold eggs from his family’s chickens, and worked as a janitor in college. He left Brigham Young with a degree in history, and then he went on to make some history himself, becoming the longest-serving senator in the history of Utah, and one of the most influential and well-known senators of his time.
“Politics came naturally, and quickly. Before winning his Senate seat, he’d never held elected office. A tireless campaigner, Orrin set out across his state to meet the people of Utah and to tell them how he could help them in Washington. His message and work ethic earned him their respect, and it earned him 54 percent of the vote.
“From the moment he was sworn in, Orrin’s kept his early pledge.
“He’s helped the people of Utah and all Americans keep more of their hard earned money by sponsoring tax relief legislation. He’s been a champion of health care reform, particularly children’s health, through his work on the Finance and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees.
“Senator Hatch is also known to millions of Americans as a veteran member of the Judiciary Committee. He has been involved in the debate over eight sitting Supreme Court justices.
“He’s been a major player in recent debates over national security, energy, labor, the Second Amendment, and in the current debate over health care.
“And he’s done it all in the spirit of bipartisanship, earning the friendship and respect of every senator in this chamber. No one who’s ever met Orrin Hatch isn’t struck by his courtesy and the dignity with which he carries out his duties. For Republicans, he’s a good friend, a constant ally, and one of the best advocates we have. To Americans, he’s the very picture of a United States senator.
“Incidentally, he’s also one of the most prolific songwriters ever to serve in Congress. He wrote all 13 songs from one of his albums over the course of a weekend, and well-known musicians such as Gladys Knight have sung his songs. But he’ll never be accused of false modesty when it comes to his talents as a songwriter. Orrin once told a reporter, quote, ‘Everyone loves my music.’
“In everything else, though, Orrin’s happy to share the credit. He’ll be the first to tell you that his success wouldn’t be possible without his family. So today we also honor Elaine, their six children, and their 23 grandchildren, on this historic occasion.
“These milestones are important because they testify to hard work and commitment. But they also give us an opportunity to recognize colleagues that we admire and respect, colleagues like the Senior Senator from Utah.
“Senator, Congratulations.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks Thursday in honor of U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch reaching the milestone of 12,000 votes in the United States Senate:
“I rise to honor our colleague and friend, the esteemed Senior Senator from Utah, on the occasion of his 12,000th vote. Today, Senator Hatch becomes part of a small group. He’s now one of fewer than 15 senators in history, and the only senator in the history of Utah, to have cast 12,000 votes in the well of the U.S. Senate.
“The people of Utah have elected Orrin Hatch to this body six times. And I’m sure they couldn’t be more proud to see him reach this important milestone. For more than 32 years, he’s been a phenomenal representative of the Beehive State. He’s made sure that no one in Washington, as he likes to put it, has been able to push Utah around.
“He’s also made a lot of sacrifices in the process. A few years ago, when Senator Hatch was deciding whether to run for reelection, his wife Elaine asked if maybe it was time for him to leave Washington so they could have a life. Orrin responded with the words of a public servant: ‘This is our life,’ he said. ‘My life is a life of service.’
“It started out early. As a young man growing up in Pittsburgh, Orrin was elected to the student senate and then as student body president at Baldwin High School. Later, at Brigham Young University, thanks to an alphabetical seating chart, he met Elaine Hansen. It was probably the only thing he ever got in life simply by way of good luck.
“Orrin was always a hard worker. As a boy, he sold eggs from his family’s chickens, and worked as a janitor in college. He left Brigham Young with a degree in history, and then he went on to make some history himself, becoming the longest-serving senator in the history of Utah, and one of the most influential and well-known senators of his time.
“Politics came naturally, and quickly. Before winning his Senate seat, he’d never held elected office. A tireless campaigner, Orrin set out across his state to meet the people of Utah and to tell them how he could help them in Washington. His message and work ethic earned him their respect, and it earned him 54 percent of the vote.
“From the moment he was sworn in, Orrin’s kept his early pledge.
“He’s helped the people of Utah and all Americans keep more of their hard earned money by sponsoring tax relief legislation. He’s been a champion of health care reform, particularly children’s health, through his work on the Finance and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees.
“Senator Hatch is also known to millions of Americans as a veteran member of the Judiciary Committee. He has been involved in the debate over eight sitting Supreme Court justices.
“He’s been a major player in recent debates over national security, energy, labor, the Second Amendment, and in the current debate over health care.
“And he’s done it all in the spirit of bipartisanship, earning the friendship and respect of every senator in this chamber. No one who’s ever met Orrin Hatch isn’t struck by his courtesy and the dignity with which he carries out his duties. For Republicans, he’s a good friend, a constant ally, and one of the best advocates we have. To Americans, he’s the very picture of a United States senator.
“Incidentally, he’s also one of the most prolific songwriters ever to serve in Congress. He wrote all 13 songs from one of his albums over the course of a weekend, and well-known musicians such as Gladys Knight have sung his songs. But he’ll never be accused of false modesty when it comes to his talents as a songwriter. Orrin once told a reporter, quote, ‘Everyone loves my music.’
“In everything else, though, Orrin’s happy to share the credit. He’ll be the first to tell you that his success wouldn’t be possible without his family. So today we also honor Elaine, their six children, and their 23 grandchildren, on this historic occasion.
“These milestones are important because they testify to hard work and commitment. But they also give us an opportunity to recognize colleagues that we admire and respect, colleagues like the Senior Senator from Utah.
“Senator, Congratulations.”
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