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.
“TRIBUTE TO GARY MUDD” mentioning Mitch McConnell was published in the Senate section on page S193 on Jan. 28.
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:
TRIBUTE TO GARY MUDD
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the American Printing House for the Blind, APH, has held a special place in Gary Mudd's life since he was in the sixth grade. Over the last three decades, he has become one of the leading voices and most successful advocates for the world's largest nonprofit creating educational products for people who are blind and visually impaired. Now, Gary is closing that book and beginning a well-deserved retirement. As he does, I would like to offer my congratulations and recognize his many contributions to APH's mission and its future.
As a student, Gary took classes next door to APH at the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville. His textbooks prominently displayed APH's name. His teachers spoke of the organization with the highest esteem. And at night in his dorm room, he could hear the churn of the braille printing presses. At this early age, Gary was surrounded by the positive difference APH could make in a person's life.
Of course, his path to APH wasn't as easy as walking next door. Gary got his start working in radio. After 4 years, he decided he wanted to join the printing house. Anyone who knows Gary could tell you that once he set his mind on the job, it was only a matter of time before a new opportunity became available. To hear him tell it, Gary badgered APH's then-president until he got the chance to put his skills to work as a marketing associate in 1986.
Decades of Gary's characteristic persistence brought more opportunities and new responsibilities. At last, he got the chance to steer the organization as its vice president of government and community affairs. Through books, tactile educational products, and ever improving technologies, Gary helped APH drive inclusion and help students and adults achieve success.
At every step, Gary has continued learning and adapting to advance APH's mission. He has built strong relationships with educational experts and community leaders. In 2011, he even had the chance to join Dolly Parton on stage as they announced a partnership with the music icon's Imagination Library.
I have had the pleasure of working closely with Gary to deliver hundreds of millions of Federal dollars to help APH serve people throughout the country. On Capitol Hill, Gary's loyal guide dogs, Heathcliff and Denver, are probably as well-known and admired as he is. With a gentle nature and a passion for his work, Gary has made friends and allies throughout Washington who are eager to support APH's inspiring work.
Gary has a lot of plans for his retirement, but they don't include slowing down. He looks forward to pursuing passions like biking around Louisville, reading the books on his shelf, and maybe even going back to school. His first goal is to spend more time with his wife, Susan, their daughters and their grandchildren. He has earned every minute of it. I encourage my Senate colleagues to join me in thanking Gary for his leadership in Kentucky and to send him into retirement with our best wishes.
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