(WENY) -- Senator Chuck Schumer is marking a successful 26th consecutive year, during which he visited all 62 counties in New York State. Schumer says, he first made the commitment back in 1998 during his first senate run, and he has kept to his promise ever since.

The senator highlighted this year's tour as especially important because it gives him an opportunity to share just how important legislation like CHIPS and Science Act is in the region. For example, he says legislation for efforts like that has brought billions of dollars to upstate New York.

In a press conference on Monday, December 16th, Sen. Schumer touched on why his annual tour is so important to people across upstate and him. 

"It's much better visiting people and talking to people than it is just being on the phone," says Senator Schumer, (D-NY.)  "You go there and you see it the work and the work and the joy, pain or anxiety on peoples faces and it really makes you work even harder."

Schumer says his work across the state lets him connect with people and communities, something he called a key part of his work as a U.S. Senator.