When voters choose someone to represent them in Congress, they expect that the person who has won their support will honor that trust by taking the job very seriously.

A strong indicator of just how faithfully U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley discharges his responsibility to represent Iowans is his commitment to being on hand to cast a vote when decisions are made. On July 20, he marked a remarkable record. He achieved a quarter century of never having missed a Senate vote. That’s 8,169 consecutive votes. It’s also a record no other senator has equaled.

It’s not uncommon for members of the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate to be absent when votes take place. Obviously, there are legitimate reasons for some missed votes, but showing up to weigh in on behalf of one’s constituents should be a major priority for anyone who is elected to the House or Senate.

Iowa’s senior Republican senator is clearly a champion in that regard.

“Representative government only works when both the people and their elected representatives communicate and participate in the process. I look forward to my 99 county meetings every year because each of them is an opportunity to listen to the concerns and priorities of Iowans,” Grassley said, explaining how he views his job. “Voting on behalf of the people of Iowa is the second half of the equation. A missed vote is a missed opportunity to effectively represent Iowans. I take my responsibility as a senator from Iowa very seriously. I want Iowans to know I’m on the job every day and not missing a vote is one way of doing that.”

The Messenger applauds Grassley’s dedication to serving Iowans tirelessly. He sets an example that other public servants would do well to emulate.