TRIBUTE TO ROBERT STIVERS

TRIBUTE TO ROBERT STIVERS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S1044-S1045] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ TRIBUTE TO ROBERT STIVERS Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend of mine and a titan of Kentucky politics. He is the steady hand that has led the Kentucky State Senate as president for a record of more than 12 years--and counting--during which time his leadership has delivered exceptional wins for the Commonwealth. His name is Robert Stivers. Senator Stivers broke the record for longest serving Kentucky Senate leader last November, and as someone familiar with breaking a similar record, I am honored to recognize my friend, fellow leader, and a true Kentucky statesman of our time. I ask my colleagues to please join with me in applauding President Stivers on achieving this milestone and celebrating his impressive service over the years on behalf of his constituents and all Kentuckians. Robert's mother Joan graduated from Harvard and moved from Massachusetts to Clay County in eastern Kentucky where she met and married Bertram Stivers, a prominent lawyer who later served as a circuit judge. They were married 57 years and raised four children in eastern Kentucky, instilling in each of them a deep value of education and strong roots anchored in the mountains. When Robert ran for the 25th Senate District for the first time in 1996, the Beattyville Enterprise praised him stating, ``He's made of the same stuff as we are . . .''. There is no doubt that Robert leads every single day with the interests of his constituents at the forefront of his decisions. He is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville--like me--and his legislative work shows his understanding of how critically important these universities are to our Commonwealth's success. After being elected to the Kentucky State Senate, he quickly made a name for himself working on important legislation and building relationships within his conference and across the aisle. This diligence earned him the trust of his colleagues who elected him to the position of majority floor leader in 2008. Robert held this position until being elected senate president in 2013. His accomplishments are numerous, and Kentuckians across the Commonwealth have undoubtedly felt his impact. Senator Stivers has led the charge on combatting drug abuse and maintains an unwavering commitment to helping find solutions to this issue that plagues his constituents and so many other Kentucky residents. He has paved the way for increased cancer research funding and operations at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. In the most recent State budget, President Stivers helped UK secure $20 million, and previously, he helped them acquire designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, which allowed increased access to Federal funding and attracted top talent in the medical research field. President Stivers' work in these spaces has improved thousands of lives and continues to set Kentucky up for future success in healthcare. [[Page S1045]] Robert is a champion for Kentucky businesses, tirelessly pushing for significant incentives that attract investment to the Commonwealth. These include lowering the State income tax, providing tax credits to the entertainment industry, and a host of other policies, all of which have helped foster a business-friendly atmosphere in Kentucky. And it is worth noting that all of President Stivers' legislative wins have been accompanied by an impressive stewardship of taxpayer dollars, ensuring Kentuckians are being served by good government and not losing their hard-earned dollars to wasteful spending. Kentucky's bourbon industry has President Stivers as a close ally in the legislature. He helped change the State tax code to ease costs for the bourbon industry and change the flow of revenue so that our signature industry's success drives other sectors of Kentucky's economy, including education. Economic development in Kentucky is rapidly increasing, and when we search for those to thank, we should look no further than Robert Stivers. In his role, he has also worked to elevate Kentucky's profile in national legislative organizations. He has served as chair of the Southern Legislative Conference, chair of the Council of State Governments, and as chair of the Senate Presidents Forum. In 2015, he was recognized by Governing Magazine as Public Official of the Year. President Stivers leads with integrity every day, and while his portfolio proves an incredibly successful career, Robert's character is what distinguishes him the most. As a good listener and collaborator, he helps resolve disputes among his colleagues to make sure that minor disagreements refrain from blocking monumental progress. This is what it takes to make things happen, and Robert exemplifies this type of leadership all the time. As a prudent advocate for Kentucky, Robert has been an invaluable partner in my work in the U.S. Senate. I have always seen it as my duty to ensure Kentucky punches above its weight in securing Federal funding, and I have had the pleasure of working with Senator Stivers on these efforts for many years. I am grateful for Robert's friendship and his steadfast leadership in the Kentucky State Senate. He is a trusted adviser, and I am honored to work with him on behalf of our constituents. There is no doubt that Robert's work has made Kentucky a better place and has set our Commonwealth up for tremendous success. I know his family, and especially his four children, are incredibly proud of what he has been able to accomplish. So once again, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Robert Stivers for becoming the longest serving State senate leader in Kentucky history. ____________________