Pelosi Floor Remarks Celebrating Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur as Longest-Serving Woman in the History of the U.S. House of Representatives

Leader Pelosi.  Mr. Speaker, today we in Congress have the honor of recognizing an outstanding leader and an esteemed colleague, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.

[Applause]

We have the esteemed honor of recognizing Marcy Kaptur as she becomes the longest-serving woman in the history of the House of Representatives.

[Applause]

And it's not just about the longevity of her service but the quality of her leadership in the House of Representatives in so many ways.  It's fitting that we should recognize her outstanding leadership during Women's History Month.

Thank you for giving us the privilege of doing that.  And I know that the people of Ohio and our colleagues from Ohio here take great pride in their association with Marcy Kaptur, as with the rest of us, an honor to call her colleague.  She has left her mark in so many ways.  She is the first woman ever to be assigned to serve on the Subcommittee of Appropriations on Defense, and in addition to protecting the American people, honoring our first responsibility to protect and defend, she was the champion for the World War II Memorial and a determined defender of all who served there and their legacy.  Thank you, Marcy Kaptur, for that.

[Applause]

Marcy Kaptur has taken great pride of being a constant, unwavering voice for the American heartland in the U.S. Congress.  Her faith is important to her.  Her faith in God.  Her faith in her community.  Her faith in our country.

As a leader on the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multiemployer Plans, for example, she's a strong champion for retirees and their endangered pensions.  The list goes on and on.  From childhood to pensions, Marcy has been there in the lead on the Appropriations Committee.  By the way, the longest serving woman on the Appropriations Committee as well.

Later today, the reception, to which you are all invited in the Rayburn Room, I will read a letter of congratulations from [former Senator] Barbara Mikulski – well, in the Congress she is [longest-serving], but Marcy in the House.

It's really important to know the impact that Marcy has had on all of us.  She's a person of the greatest integrity, sincerity, she knows her purpose, she knows her subjects, her judgment is respected and she always has a plan.  And, therefore, as I said so many times, if you want to save yourself some time, just do what Marcy asks you to do the first time around.

The granddaughter of Polish immigrants, she takes great pride –

Speaker Pro-Tempore.  The House is not in order.  The House will please come to order.

Leader Pelosi.  – as a granddaughter of Polish immigrants, Marcy takes great pride in her heritage, and as with most families taking pride in their heritage, she is fiercely patriotic and loves America and works every day for all families pursuing economic opportunity and the American dream.

Marcy, thank you for your outstanding leadership on behalf of Ohioans, for sure, for all Americans, on behalf of women, girls, and families across the country and across the world.

It's an honor to serve with you, a privilege to call you colleague, a joy to call you friend.

Thank you, Marcy Kaptur.