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Floor Speech
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Mr. MORENO. Mr. President, I had the opportunity to meet Senator Husted when he was State Representative Husted about 15, maybe 20 years ago. I don't want to age myself. I was down in Columbus meeting a few State reps down there, and I see this guy and go: Man, who is that young guy who sounded really, really smart? I walked up to him and introduced myself. It was Jon Husted.
In that period of time, what I have seen is a great person. He is not just a great public servant. This is somebody who could have spent his entire adult life making a lot of money. He is a very smart and gifted person. Instead, he has dedicated his entire time to actually making this country better. The reason for that you just heard today. He is somebody who is a deep person of faith, who is a great father, a great husband, and honestly a great friend.
So, look, don't take my word for it. The Senator does not know that I did this. So I think you owe it to hear.
So here is just a sampling of what the people in Ohio said based on a simple request: Tell me what you think of Senator Husted.
Let me start with the first one:
Jon has excelled in every public office he has held . . . as a legislator, Speaker of the Ohio House, Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor. I worked with Jon on a daily basis for the 6 years he served as Lieutenant Governor. No one understands Ohio better than Jon. His work on economic development as Lieutenant Governor will have lasting impact for generations. He has had a great career of public service. However, I am convinced that his service as U.S. Senator will be his most important and most impactful for Ohio and for our country. His knowledge of Ohio, and his ability to work with others, will make him a great U.S. Senator.
Signed, Ohio Governor and former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine.
Second one:
Senator Husted embodies everything Ohioans are about: family, hard work, love of country, and service. Ohio is better because of his years of service.
Alex Triantafilou, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.
Next one:
Jon was the Speaker when I started in the Ohio House in 2007. I watched and learned from him and today I use that knowledge everyday in the Ohio legislature.
Eighteen years. Pretty impressive.
He's a great leader and a great U.S. Senator.
Current Ohio Speaker of the House Matt Huffman.
Next one:
From his beginnings in rural Williams County to his leadership in the legislative and executive branch of our state government, Jon Husted made Ohio a better state at every stop. I have no doubt he will do the same for our entire country in the United States Senate.
Ohio Senate President Rob McColley. Next one:
Senator Husted is passionate about his faith, his family, his State, and his country. It has been a pleasure watching him grow throughout the years, and without question he will serve his Senate family with great pride and integrity.
That is from the current Lieutenant Governor and former Ohio State football head coach, Jim Tressell.
And the last one:
During his service at the state level, Jon saw firsthand, in great detail, the many problems at the federal level-- problems that he was powerless as a state officer to solve. He brings that detailed knowledge and his passion for the right thing to the United States Senate--and the country will be better for it.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
I will end with this, Mr. President. Look at what he has already accomplished. I can say a little bit falls here in this Chamber. About 8 years ago, I remember sitting with Senator Husted--then-Lieutenant Governor, Candidate Husted, Nominee Husted--in a little office building in downtown Cleveland. He said: I have an idea that is going to be called Innovate Ohio.
Jon, what is that?
We are going to put together leaders of the Ohio innovation ecosystem and make Ohio the most attractive State where you can build and grow a company.
And we had our first meeting. Who was in that meeting? Now-Senator Jon Husted, now-Senator me, Bernie Moreno, soon-to-be Governor Vivek Ramaswamy, and our third Ohio honorary senator, Vice President JD Vance--all hand-selected by Senator Husted to participate 8 years ago in Innovation Task Force.
So on nights when we go through vote-aramas and we are here 24, 30 hours, it is you whom I have to blame, Senator Husted, for encouraging me to seek public service.
I came to DC not knowing what to expect, and having somebody whom I consider a friend, somebody whom I know we can talk about anything and hash things out has made this job, very, very rewarding. Thank you for your service to Ohio. I look forward to serving with you in the U.S. Senate.
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