Floor SpeechCeremonial2025-03-24

TRIBUTE TO CANDACE McGRAW

TaxesInfrastructure

Context

On 2025-03-24, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO CANDACE McGRAW" in the Senate. The speech addressed taxes and also covered infrastructure. It referenced legislation: S1799.

Full Text

TRIBUTE TO CANDACE McGRAW

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S1799] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO CANDACE McGRAW Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I want to take a moment today to congratulate Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), on her upcoming retirement. Candace has been a friend and a leader in northern Kentucky for many years, and I would like to join her family, friends, and colleagues in celebrating her great success. Over the last decade, CVG has undergone a complete transformation, today a national leader in aviation and e-commerce. Taking the helm in 2011, Candace brought a big vision to the airport, setting it on an upward trajectory right from the start. At a time when technology was rapidly becoming a part of our daily lives, Candace reimagined CVG as a powerhouse for e-commerce, expanding its cargo operations and forging historic partnerships with major shipping companies across the country. Under her leadership, CVG has not only become Kentucky's busiest airport--serving more than 9 million passengers annually--but also one of the fastest growing cargo hubs in the Nation. Candace's leadership proved invaluable during the pandemic when our airports and their workers found themselves right at the center of this unprecedented crisis. As passenger travel ground to a halt, CVG's robust cargo operations kept essential goods on the move all across the Nation. Even amid the challenges of the pandemic, CVG rose to become a vital e- commerce hub, setting records for air cargo and demonstrating the strength and foresight of Candace's vision. The growth Candace worked so hard to forge at CVG has been a huge source of strength for communities in northern Kentucky. Under her leadership, the airport has nearly tripled its economic impact, today bringing in over $10 billion for the local economy. That has meant more jobs, more commerce, and more prosperity for thousands of families across this growing region. Over the years, I have enjoyed partnering with her on my work in the Senate, teaming up to overhaul airport infrastructure and aviation operations in the Commonwealth. Because of the efforts of Candace and the airport's many dedicated staff, CVG consistently receives national recognition. Skytrax named CVG the Best Regional Airport in North America now eight times under Candace's leadership, and just this year, it earned the title of Best Airport in North America for customer experience by Airports Council International (ACI) World. Today, CVG ranks among the fastest growing airports in the United States. It should also come as no surprise that Candace herself has been widely recognized for her impact on the aviation industry. In 2019, Airport Experience News named her Director of the Year, and last year, she received the Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award from ACI North America. Beyond her work at CVG, Candace also served her community as chairwoman on the board of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, our State's largest business association. Here, Candace worked hard to improve the business landscape for workers and job creators in the Commonwealth. Fortunately, even as she steps down from this role and her responsibilities at CVG, Candace's experience and leadership will continue to be invaluable assets to the aviation industry at the World Governing Board of Airports Council International, where she serves as the first female chair in the organization's history. In her retirement, I know that Candace looks forward to spending more time with her husband Joe and their children, time she has certainly earned. I want to thank my friend for her leadership and dedication to CVG and northern Kentucky. Her steady hand has guided the airport through some of its most consequential years, leaving it stronger than ever. When she steps down at the end of June, Candace will leave behind a legacy of innovation, achievement, and extraordinary growth. So I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in celebrating Candace's remarkable career and wishing her the very best in the years ahead. ____________________

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TRIBUTE TO CANDACE McGRAW Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S1799] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO CANDACE McGRAW Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I want to take a moment today to congratulate Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), on her upcoming retirement. Candace has been a friend and a leader in northern Kentucky for many years, and I would like to join her family, friends, and colleagues in celebrating her great success. Over the last decade, CVG has undergone a complete transformation, today a national leader in aviation and e-commerce. Taking the helm in 2011, Candace brought a big vision to the airport, setting it on an upward trajectory right from the start. At a time when technology was rapidly becoming a part of our daily lives, Candace reimagined CVG as a powerhouse for e-commerce, expanding its cargo operations and forging historic partnerships with major shipping companies across the country. Under her leadership, CVG has not only become Kentucky's busiest airport--serving more than 9 million passengers annually--but also one of the fastest growing cargo hubs in the Nation. Candace's leadership proved invaluable during the pandemic when our airports and their workers found themselves right at the center of this unprecedented crisis. As passenger travel ground to a halt, CVG's robust cargo operations kept essential goods on the move all across the Nation. Even amid the challenges of the pandemic, CVG rose to become a vital e- commerce hub, setting records for air cargo and demonstrating the strength and foresight of Candace's vision. The growth Candace worked so hard to forge at CVG has been a huge source of strength for communities in northern Kentucky. Under her leadership, the airport has nearly tripled its economic impact, today bringing in over $10 billion for the local economy. That has meant more jobs, more commerce, and more prosperity for thousands of families across this growing region. Over the years, I have enjoyed partnering with her on my work in the Senate, teaming up to overhaul airport infrastructure and aviation operations in the Commonwealth. Because of the efforts of Candace and the airport's many dedicated staff, CVG consistently receives national recognition. Skytrax named CVG the Best Regional Airport in North America now eight times under Candace's leadership, and just this year, it earned the title of Best Airport in North America for customer experience by Airports Council International (ACI) World. Today, CVG ranks among the fastest growing airports in the United States. It should also come as no surprise that Candace herself has been widely recognized for her impact on the aviation industry. In 2019, Airport Experience News named her Director of the Year, and last year, she received the Excellence in Visionary Leadership Award from ACI North America. Beyond her work at CVG, Candace also served her community as chairwoman on the board of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, our State's largest business association. Here, Candace worked hard to improve the business landscape for workers and job creators in the Commonwealth. Fortunately, even as she steps down from this role and her responsibilities at CVG, Candace's experience and leadership will continue to be invaluable assets to the aviation industry at the World Governing Board of Airports Council International, where she serves as the first female chair in the organization's history. In her retirement, I know that Candace looks forward to spending more time with her husband Joe and their children, time she has certainly earned. I want to thank my friend for her leadership and dedication to CVG and northern Kentucky. Her steady hand has guided the airport through some of its most consequential years, leaving it stronger than ever. When she steps down at the end of June, Candace will leave behind a legacy of innovation, achievement, and extraordinary growth. So I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in celebrating Candace's remarkable career and wishing her the very best in the years ahead. ____________________