The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD” mentioning Patrick J. Leahy was published in the Senate section on page S207 on Feb. 1.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL GUARD
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, as you know, as you walk around the Capitol these last couple of weeks, you have to notice the changes. Quiet views of the Capitol, the seat of our government, are obstructed by fences topped with barbed wire and servicemembers on patrol at every corner, every entrance, and every gateway. These servicemembers, men and women of our National Guard, are our neighbors. They are our coworkers. They are members of our family. They are called away from home, many of which volunteered to come here to the Nation's Capitol to protect the very heart of democracy. They deserve our thanks. They deserve our gratitude. They deserve our unwavering support.
With over 25,000 members of the Guard from every State, territory, and District of Columbia present in Washington to protect our time-
honored traditions, there is no greater representation of the best of America here as we carry out the people's business. I am grateful to them for their service.
Now, 2 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting and thanking some members of Vermont's own National Guard--Lieutenant Colonel Day, along with Captain Lahr, and First Sergeant Stewart from Bravo Troop of Vermont's renowned Mountain Calvary Battalion. They welcomed me and introduced me to a contingent of the Vermonters present.
Now, through their deployment, they are asked to face challenges at a moment's notice. They use the training and the teamwork that has always helped them succeed in Vermont and overseas. They met those challenges, and they exceeded those challenges.
Like all National Guard units when they deploy, these Vermonters came to the District with deep ties back to our communities and the families and employers that make their service possible.
I am privileged to be the cochair of the Senate National Guard Caucus. I have heard, time and again, firsthand testimony from members of the Guard that that hometown connection is the glue that makes what they do possible. We are grateful to their families, their communities, and their employers too. But that can be said about every Senator here, including our distinguished Presiding Officer.
The Vermont Guard members I talked to carried with them the support of Vermont communities, especially from Southern Vermont, where Bravo Troop's armory is located. To give you an idea of how they are part of the community, the deployment was led by the vice principal of Brattleboro Union High School. It included the cousin of one of my staffers. It was filled with soldiers with connections and stories that make up the culture and community I proudly call home--Vermont. A similar story could be told about the communities represented in the units from every State and territory. I am especially grateful because most of the soldiers from Vermont are going to deploy overseas later this year. Everyone that came down this January volunteered to be here.
So much has been asked of the National Guard these last 3 months, from the COVID-19 response to several disturbances this summer, to safeguarding the Nation's Capitol--all of it on top of regular training and deployment schedules.
To the men and women of the National Guard from every State and territory and the District of Columbia, we appreciate the immense contributions you have made to our country today and every day. You are real patriots. You are real heroes, and democracy thanks you.
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