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.
“REMEMBERING BRIGID McDONOUGH” mentioning Amy Klobuchar was published in the Senate section on page S1872 on April 12.
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:
REMEMBERING BRIGID McDONOUGH
Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, today I rise in remembrance of my dear friend Brigid McDonough. Many years ago, she agreed to be the treasurer of my Senate campaign and stayed in that volunteer job for over a decade. That was a courageous thing to do in this political climate. But that was the kind of friend Brigid was: loyal and always there. She wanted to serve the people.
She loved her family. She loved her husband, Reid. I know how hard it was for Reid and Brigid at the end, and the last few years the two of them had together were so precious. Brigid loved her extended family of course. I will always remember being at the Lumberjack Days Parade in Stillwater, and Brigid would run up and give me a big hug--and her sister would run up and give me a big hug and then some other McDonough would. Her affection was contagious.
Since her admission to the Minnesota bar in 1984, her life and career were rooted in how she could best lift others up. She believed that government and the law can be used to help people achieve equity and social justice in a world where playing fields are not often level. She used her impressive legal acumen to achieve good things on behalf of many people in our State.
Brigid recognized the power of political and community organizing, of getting involved. She was inspired by the DFL tradition and the honest conviction to fight for what is just. If you asked me what politician she was most inspired by, I would have to say Senator Paul Wellstone. He was her hero. Campaigning for Paul is how I first met Brigid; She was a true believer, happily working at a law firm by day, and spending her free time out there holding up those green signs for Paul.
Providing affordable housing to underserved communities was a major goal for Brigid, and she approached her volunteer work with the same focus she had at the law firm. Whether she was representing immigrant and refugee families through her pro bono work, supporting her alma mater and community by serving on the Macalester College alumni board and the Hmong Partnership board, or chairing the St. Paul DFL--that alone is a career unto itself--Brigid always brought this earnest conviction to fight for what was good, often on behalf of people who couldn't always do it for themselves.
Brigid did so much through the valuable guidance she offered to dozens of local, State, and national political campaigns. She was especially dedicated to electing women and people of color to public office, and she was really good at it.
Brigid was kind and generous, loyal to friends and colleagues, and compassionate, smart, and really funny. She and Reid loved traveling and both were voracious readers. I always admired her adventurous spirit and valued hearing her opinions on everything from Minnesota politics to Bruce Springsteen. Friends considered her a font of wisdom and ideas, and she always shared recommendations on books, movies, and music, with warmth and affection.
There are certain people who have a way of seeing and bringing out the very best in others. Brigid was one of those people.
Let's remember Brigid's fierce love of life. That is what made the time we spent with her so special. Her friendship and her commitment to making a difference in the world are true gifts that will continue to benefit all of us who were lucky enough to know her.
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