After school programs, transportation funding and dolphin safe tuna labels were a few of the accomplishments Sen. Barbara Boxer highlighted in her farewell speech to the Senate Chambers.
Wednesday marked the end of a more than 30 year congressional career for Boxer, who was elected to the United States Senate in 1992 during what's referred to as "The Year of Women."
At the time, Boxer was part of a record-breaking class of five female senators. She leaves office with a record 21 women senators serving in the next congressional class, including her replacement Kamala Harris.
In her remarks, Boxer praised fellow California Democrats Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Dianne Feinstein for their support during her time in public service. Boxer said one of her biggest regrets is how widely divided the two parties have become. "But let me be clear," she said, "you don't get anything done here unless your colleagues help you -- from both sides of the aisle."
Of the more than a thousand accomplishments Boxer said she could pick from her time in Congress, these were the ten she chose:
- The first after school programs funded by federal dollars, which cover more than 1.6 million kids everyday.
- A million acres of California wilderness preserved.
- Establishing the first-ever casualty combat care center in California.
- Ensuring that transportation programs remain in place for years to come, protecting millions of jobs.
- Upholding our landmark environmental laws."And I hope that continues," Boxer said in reference to the incoming Republican control of the White House and Congress.
- Setting clean drinking water standards to protect pregnant women, children and other vulnerable people.
- The "Dolphin Safe" tuna can label.
- Protecting sexual assault victims in the military from being asked questions that were already resolved in civilian court.
- Establishing the first-ever subcommittee to oversee women's global issues.
- Recommending a diverse group of judicial nominees who are carrying out laws in California's federal courts.