Analysis · Floor speech · beta

Robin L. Kelly

Democrat on Recognizing Matt Mcmurray 2026-07-20

286 words · 15 sentences · 22 clauses

Statement grade

48 / 100, held down by Signal

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Thanks 18%Anecdote 53%Claims 18%Aside 10%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Mr. Speaker, Thanks · 24 wordsI rise today to thank my chief of staff, Matt McMurray, for his service to my office and the Second Congressional District of Illinois.Thanks Anecdote · 153 wordsMatt has been with me since day one. When we first met back in 2013, he was a very young man, fresh out of college, starting out as my staff assistant and deputy scheduler.¹ Over the last 13 years, I have watched him earn every single step of his journey, working his way up to legislative assistant, legislative director, ²and, ultimately, a great chief of staff. Today, he is still a young man, but he also is a devoted husband and a proud dad. He has truly grown up in this office. I always tease Matt that he was basically born in the Capitol. He knows every single nook, cranny, and historical detail of the building. One of his favorite traditions was sending our new interns on legendary Capitol scavenger hunts, ensuring that they didn’t just work here but they truly learned about the history and unique aspects of life on the Hill.Anecdote Claims · 52 wordsAs my chief of staff, Matt has been an exceptional leader. He helped me build a wonderful, dedicated staff, kept a sharp eye on our budget, and made sure our core mission of serving the people of Illinois’ Second District was always top of mind. He kept us focused, organized, and grounded. Thanks · 23 wordsI wish Matt nothing but the absolute best in his new endeavors. The organization he is joining is incredibly lucky to have him, ThanksAside · 29 wordsbut let me be clear: Just because he is moving on doesn’t mean he is off the hook because once you are Team Kelly, you are always Team Kelly.Aside Thanks · 5 wordsI thank Matt for everything.Thanks

At a glance

Lost points for
Little substanceMuch of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 18

17 of 17 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I rise today to thank my chief of staff, Matt McMurray, for his service to my office and the Second Congressional District of Illinois.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Matt has been with me since day one.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “When we first met back in 2013, he was a very young man, fresh out of college, starting out as my staff assistant and deputy scheduler.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Over the last 13 years, I have watched him earn every single step of his journey, working his way up to legislative assistant, legislative director,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “and, ultimately, a great chief of staff.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “Today, he is still a young man,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “but he also is a devoted husband and a proud dad.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “He has truly grown up in this office.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “I always tease Matt that he was basically born in the Capitol.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “He knows every single nook, cranny,”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “and historical detail of the building.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
A story that illustrates instead of making a point.What the tags mean “One of his favorite traditions was sending our new interns on legendary Capitol scavenger hunts, ensuring that they didn’t just work here but they truly learned about the history and unique aspects of life on the Hill.”An anecdote: it illustrates, it does not claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I wish Matt nothing but the absolute best in his new endeavors.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “The organization he is joining is incredibly lucky to have him,”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “but let me be clear:”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
A remark off to the side of the point.What the tags mean “Just because he is moving on doesn’t mean he is off the hook because once you are Team Kelly, you are always Team Kelly.”An aside: no claim, reason or ask.
Thanks and tributes.What the tags mean “I thank Matt for everything.”Thanks: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · no score

Not applicable: nothing to answer. Excluded from the average.

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue.

Respect · no score

Not checked: graded before this measurement existed. Excluded from the average.

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Clarity · 100

0 of 17 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Nothing lost points.

Claims · 2

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“When we first met back in 2013, he was a very young man, fresh out of college, starting out as my staff assistant and deputy scheduler”Robin Kelly first met Matt McMurray in 2013, when he began working for her as a staff assistant and deputy scheduler.search
2“Over the last 13 years”Matt McMurray worked for Robin Kelly for about 13 years.search

Analyzed on 2026-09-15