Bill Nelson: “it is 5 years ago today that we lost one of the most articulate, most energetic, and brightest lights of this Senate…”

“it is 5 years ago today that we lost one of the most articulate, most energetic, and brightest lights of this Senate when our colleague from Minnesota, Senator Paul Wellstone, and his family were killed in an airplane crash as he was campaigning in Minnesota for reelection. Paul sat at that desk right there, and from that desk he would pace back and forth with his speeches, like a caged lion, because the energy was bursting from him as he would speak with such passion about the poor and the downtrodden and the dispossessed. It was such a voice that was snuffed out that when they had the memorial service for him, it is amazing the number of Senators who went to Minneapolis for that memorial service; Senators from both sides of the aisle, who had tremendous respect for this Senator who spoke with such passion. I wanted to add my voice to those who have recalled the life of Senator Paul Wellstone and what he meant to America and to the Senate.”