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.
“Nomination of Miguel A. Cardona (Executive Session)” mentioning Richard Blumenthal was published in the Senate section on pages S916-S917 on March 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:
Nomination of Miguel A. Cardona
Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, I couldn't be prouder to stand in the Senate Chamber today and speak on behalf of Miguel Cardona, shortly to be confirmed by this body as the next Secretary of Education.
Miguel Cardona is a man of deep commitment to his community and, with pride, a product of the Connecticut education system. I couldn't be prouder to support him because President Biden couldn't have made a better choice to be the next Secretary of Education.
Miguel Cardona's story is inspiring and compelling, a testament to the extraordinary support he has enjoyed from his parents, from the community of Puerto Rico, who lived in Meriden, the support he enjoyed from the public schools and institutions of higher education in Connecticut. His powerful and compelling story should be inspiring to all America because he has lived the American dream. And for anyone whose language may be something other than English as their first language, he has shown that people coming to our public schools, with English as their second language, should see no bounds to what they can accomplish.
He came to the public schools of Meriden as a second-language learner of English. He was raised in Meriden by Puerto Rican parents. He found an early passion for education. And his skill and dedication went beyond his own life. He did extraordinarily well and attended two Connecticut institutions of higher education--Central Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut--eventually earning his doctorate in education. But he went back to Meriden. He dedicated his life to the education of others, beginning as a fourth grade teacher in Meriden and then becoming principal--the youngest in the State--and eventually assistant superintendent before just about a year ago being appointed as commissioner of education in the State of Connecticut.
His climbing looks meteoric and miraculous, but it was based on hard work and a dedication and passion to education for others, because he saw it in his own life and how it enabled him to live the American dream.
For all of his accomplishments and that meteoric rise, he has remained deeply rooted in the Meriden community, deeply committed to his roots in Puerto Rico, and deeply committed to his family. His parents, who should be so proud of him, are an inspiration to all of us who know them and who have seen their work in Meriden continue. Even as he has climbed the professional ladder, they have remained rooted and active and energetic in benefiting others in Meriden.
So to his parents, I say thank you for sharing with us Miguel. To his family, thank you for supporting him throughout his enormous journey and adventure.
His extraordinary accomplishments have led him to this place of consummate prominence in the educational professional community, and now he will do great things for the cause of education in our country, not just Connecticut.
His service never stopped in the classroom. He brought that knowledge of what happens in the classroom to establish policy in Connecticut in an enormously challenging time. He took over as commissioner of education on February 26, 2020, at the time of COVID-19 lockdowns and school closures, which began just a couple of weeks after he assumed that responsibility.
But as he has done throughout his educational and professional career, he consistently reaffirmed his commitment to students, parents, and teachers because they are the core of our educational system, especially students who have been potentially left behind. His bold vision and dedication to students and their families is exactly what we need now in an Education Secretary, providing direction and support to our Nation's public schools--direction and support after a time when leadership was so sorely lacking and commitment to public education was so unfortunately inadequate.
As we know, COVID-19 has challenged educators, students, families, and school administrators, day in and day out, during this very difficult and painful period. Disadvantaged students who lack support and resources at home have been left behind. Teachers are strained and stressed by changing environments and a lack of resources. Parents are concerned and overwhelmed, managing their children's schooling and their own work at home. Students in higher education are drowning in student debt that has left them crippled financially and unsure about their future.
These challenges pose a grave threat to the future of our children and our educational system, and we need a leader just like Dr. Cardona--one whom we have lacked, one who can regain our Nation's trust and reestablish faith in the leadership of our educational community at the very top in the Department of Education.
He is someone who will put students back on their feet, in their confidence and their trust in education. He is someone who will put teachers, parents, and students first, above special interests, because he has lived American education as the American dream.
In Connecticut, he has seen firsthand in his own life how education can transform futures and enable all of us, through our children, to live the American dream just as he has done. And he will do it in a way that is inclusive, that respects the drive for racial justice, because he has lived that movement in his own life--the movement for racial justice. To end disparities and inequities are part of Miguel Cardona's agenda because it is his life. It is in his DNA, and it is part of his heritage and his family. And that is the reason why I am so proud of his success, but also of his vision and his dedication to the future of American education.
I urge my colleagues to vote yes for his confirmation. You will be proud you did, just as I am proud to stand here in support of him. He has lived the American dream, and he will open it through his vision and his courage for countless other young people who desperately need that faith in their country and its schools.
Today, American public education has a future that is bright and promising with Miguel Cardona's leadership. I am proud to say he is a product of Connecticut. His roots are there, and so is his vision and hope and faith.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.
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