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Floor Speech

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Mr. BOOKER. Madam President, your mic wasn't on. What did you call me? What was the name that you used?

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Mr. BOOKER. Madam President, thank you. I truly appreciate the Presiding Officer.

I hope that was recorded by the stenographer that the Presiding Officer called me a gentleman.

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Mr. BOOKER. Madam President, to my colleagues in the Senate, to the Senate President, to all those assembled here, I am rising to give this speech, and I feel such privilege because I get to recognize someone whose work most Americans never see but whose contribution is woven into the very history of this institution.

When a Senator comes to the floor to speak, whether it is daily routine address or a moment that will echo through generations, there is always someone standing just off camera, often unnoticed, a stenograph machine hanging from their neck, capturing every word we say. They record our arguments and our aspirations, our disagreements and our dreams, our long speeches, and sometimes our longer ones.

The dozens of people who are watching C-SPAN may not realize it, but the words spoken in this Chamber simply don't float away into the air. They are preserved--faithfully, meticulously--by extraordinary professionals who ensure that the Congressional Record becomes the living memory of the U.S. Senate and our Nation.

For those of you who do not know about these extraordinary stenographers, their work is not easy. It requires years of training, immense focus and concentration, and a remarkable command of language and speed and accents that range from a southern Texas accent to a Jersey one. And it requires a hell of a lot of patience because, as everyone in this Chamber knows, brevity is not always the defining virtue of the U.S. Senate. Yet, through late nights, historic votes, moments of celebration, and moments of national grief, Senate stenographers have stood quietly at their posts ensuring that what happens here is captured for the American people and preserved in American history for generations yet to come.

Today, I want to recognize one of the very best of them. Today, I want to recognize Carole Darche. Carole has spent more than 45 years as a court reporter, bringing her extraordinary skill to the Senate floor to record some of the most consequential moments in our Nation's history.

Through long sessions, overnight debates, and pivotal moments in our country, Carole has been there--steadfast, precise, and deeply committed to this institution. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the lights of this Chamber have shone a little bit brighter because of her presence.

What has always struck me about Carole is not just her professionalism but the spirit she brings to her work. Day after day, she arrives with warmth and enthusiasm and a quiet pride in serving something larger than herself.

And the dedication required is extraordinary. Each session week, Carole boards the Amtrak from New Jersey to Washington, listening to her audiobooks along the way, traveling hundreds of miles that would make even Joe Biden a little bit jealous, to stand on this floor and serve the American people. This kind of commitment to public service, to this institution of the U.S. Senate, and to the preservation of our democratic record is something we should all aspire to.

While we will deeply miss Carole--I am sure I speak for my 99 colleagues; we will miss her in the Senate--I must admit that I am delighted that her retirement will take her back home to the great State of ``New Joisey''--I mean New Jersey; forgive me--where she plans to enjoy the Jersey Shore with her husband Fred, her three stepchildren, and her five grandchildren. She also plans to travel to Paris, to Portugal, and beyond. I have no doubt that the same spirit of curiosity and joy she brought to this building will accompany her on those adventures.

Carole, the Senate will miss you. We will miss your warmth. We will miss your enthusiasm for this institution. And, yes, we will miss hearing about you, witnessing your humanity, seeing every day the truth that it is leaders in the Senate--often who don't stand in the spotlight, who don't face the camera--it is leaders in the Senate like you that make this institution functional for the American people.

Carole, that is what patriotism is. It is not seen often in one flash or one flourish. Patriotism is steadfast dedication to serving this Nation day in and day out.

What does your service render? I have come to learn that the Congressional Record is more than ink on paper; it is the story of our democracy. And for decades, you have helped ensure that story was captured with precision, care, and integrity. For that, the U.S. Senate and the Nation and every one of the Members of this body owe you gratitude.

Carole, thank you for your extraordinary years of service. May your retirement be filled with family, with travel, with laughter, with yoga, and many beautiful sunsets along the incredible Jersey Shore. The truth is, you will be leaving this Chamber, but the history you helped preserve here--your contributions--will endure for generations.

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