Remarks at the 2016 Democratic National Convention - July 26, 2016

Hello, Democrats and sister Democrats, and a special hello to the state of Maryland.

Our nation was born here in Philadelphia 240 years ago. Our Founding Fathers gave us a great start. But it was the Founding Mothers who said, “Do not forget the ladies or we will foment our own revolution!” They started the job, but we’re going to keep it going.

Yes, we do break barriers.

I broke a barrier when I became the first Democratic woman elected in the Senate in her own right, and the first to chair the powerful Appropriations Committee.

So, it is with a full heart that I am here today as we nominate Hillary Clinton to be the first woman president.

Many of you have broken barriers. You were the first to go to college. You were the first to start a business. Maybe the first to be a citizen. But you knew when you broke a barrier you didn’t do it for yourself. You did it so others would would not have failures, only opportunities.

That’s what Hillary wants to do. She wants to break down all the barriers to opportunity, so you won't have barriers.

You can count on her. She will work for you.

Some people want to rant. Hillary wants to get results. She’ll fight for your day-to-day needs and the long-range needs of the country. She’ll fight for the macro issues and those macaroni-and-cheese issues. So you’ll have national security and economic security. So you will have an opportunity for a good job in a good neighborhood with a good school. And your kids will have a really good future.

So you will have equal pay for equal work, living wages, for health care when you need it.

So, yes, it’s about the new jobs in new fields like solar energy. But it’s so much more.

She wants that job to light up your home, light up your community, light up your life. She wants that little light in you just to shine.

I know that Hillary listens. The Hillary I work with is duty-driven, unflagging, and unflinching.

She is a leader.

And so, on behalf of all the women who’ve broken down barriers for others, and with an eye toward the barriers ahead, I proudly place Hillary Clinton’s name in nomination to be the next President.

2020 Democratic National Convention. "Senator Barbara Mikulski at DNC 2016." YouTube video, 4:25. July 26, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkbfm-cowzo