Barbara Mikulski Becomes Longest-Serving Woman in History of Congress

Barbara Mikulski

Pol Light Moment #117 happened on March 17, 2012, when Barbara Mikulski became the longest-serving woman in the history of the United States Congress. Barbara Mikulski has been a United States Senator from Maryland since 1987. From 1977-1987 she also served as the U.S. Representative from Maryland's 3rd District.

Barbara Mikulski set the record for longest years of service by a woman in Congress by serving a combined 10 years in the House of Representatives and 25 years in the United States Senate.  On March 17, 2012, Barbara Mikulski's years of service in Congress surpassed Rep. Edith Nourse Rogers, who represented Massachusetts in the House of Representatives from 1925 to 1960 (CNN, March 16, 2012).  Barbara Mikulski also became the longest serving woman in the United States Senate in 2010 (CNN, March 2, 2015).

The following is a CNN news feature on this milestone for Barbara Mikulski.

On March 2, 2015, Barbara Mikulski announced that she will not seek reelection in 2016 and will retire in 2017. She will retire from the United States Senate with almost 40 years of service in Congress, which is a record that could stand for awhile.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Barbara Mikulski is in the Public Domain.

Rick Snyder Authorizes Detroit Bankruptcy

Rick Snyder

Pol Light Moment #116 happened on July 18, 2013, when Rick Snyder authorized the City of Detroit to enter Chapter 9 Bankruptcy. Rick Snyder is presently the Governor of the State of Michigan, serving from 2011 to the present.

Kevyn Orr became the emergency manager for Detroit early in 2013. Detroit had over $18 Billion in accured obligations. Because of the financial debt basic services for residents were suffering. In this situation, Rick Snyder authorized the City of Detroit to enter Chapter 9 municipality bankruptcy that would make them the largest city in the United States to go through bankruptcy. You can read Rick Snyder's Letter Authorizing the Commencement of Chapter 9 Bankruptcy for Detroit.

The following is a video of Rick Snyder announcing the decision to allow Detroit to go into bankruptcy.

On December 10, 2014, Detroit emerged from bankruptcy. During the process of the bankruptcy proceedings Detroit reduced $7 billion of its debt and reinvested $1.4 billion in city services over the next decade (USA Today, December 10, 2014).

Rick Snyder has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Rick Snyder posts search with Rick Snyder label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

John F. Kennedy Writes Birthday Letter to Helen Keller

President Kennedy Meets with Helen Keller (1961)

Pol Light Moment #115 happened on June 20, 1963, when John F. Kennedy wrote a letter to Helen Keller on her 83rd birthday.  John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961-1963.

Helen Keller was an author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first blinddeaf person to earn a bachelor's degree. The following is the contents of the letter that John F. Kennedy wrote to Helen Keller on her 83rd birthday.

June 20, 1963

Dear Miss Keller:

It is a pleasure to extend warm congratulations to you on your 83rd birthday.

You are one of the select company of men and women whose achievements have become legendary in their own time.

Your tireless endeavors on behalf of blind people everywhere have gained friends for the United States and the cause of Democracy, and have won for you a permanent place in the history of human progress.

With My Best Wishes,

Sincerely,

John F. Kennedy

Miss Helen Keller
Arcan Ridge
Route 1
Westport, Connecticut

(Source: American Federation for the Blind Website)


John F. Kennedy has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all John F. Kennedy posts search with John F. Kennedy label at Pol Light.

Quote Light: John F. Kennedy has a page on the Quote Light blog.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of John F. Kennedy is in the Public Domain.

Dick Cheney Receives Heart Transplant

Dick Cheney

Pol Light Moment #114 happened on March 24, 2012, when Dick Cheney had a heart transplant. Dick Cheney served as the Vice-President of the United States from 2001-2009, while George W. Bush was the President.

Heart transplants are providing extended years of life for heart patients of all ages who are in otherwise good health in the rest of their body. Dick Cheney has had a history of heart disease and had 5 heart attacks between 1978 and 2010. On March 24, 2012, Cheney received a heart transplant from an anonymous donor at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia. At the time the former Vice-President was 71 years of age and he had been on a waiting list for a heart for 20 months (Wikipedia: Dick Cheney).

The following is a news video of Dick Cheney receiving his transplant.

When asked how he felt 18 months after his transplant, Dick Cheney had this to say:

"Now I'm to the point where-- I literally, you know, feel like I have a new heart. A lot more energy-- than I had previously. There aren't any real physical limits on what I do. I fish, I hunt. And-- I don't ski, but that's because of my knees, not my heart. So it's been a miracle (CBS News, 60 Minutes, October 20, 2013)."

After the success of his transplant, Dick Cheney co-authored a book in 2013 with his chief cardiologist, Dr. Jonathan Reiner called Heart: An American Medical Odyssey (USA Today, October 20, 2013).  

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Dick Cheney is in the Public Domain.