Tom Harkin: “with the retirement of Senator Ben Nelson at the close of the 112th Congress, the Senate will lose one of its most…”

“with the retirement of Senator Ben Nelson at the close of the 112th Congress, the Senate will lose one of its most respected members, and a distinguished career in formal public service will come to an end. I use that adjective ``formal,'' because it's hard to imagine Ben Nelson not finding new avenues for public service as a private citizen in the years ahead. Senator Nelson and I come from neighboring States in the rural, upper Midwest, and we have much in common. But we differ in at least one respect: I come from the small town of Cumming, IA, population 351; Ben comes from the big city, McCook, NE, population 8,000. Senator Nelson is often described as one of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate, frequently voting with the minority party. I prefer to describe him simply as the most independent Democrat in the Senate, a progressive at heart who--like so many from our part of the country--is also deeply imbued with respect for traditional values and fiscal prudence. As we all know, Senator Nelson prides himself on reaching across the aisle to get things done. He is a pragmatist, not a partisan. He has never allowed ideology or party to stand in his way of doing what he believes is right for Nebraska and the United States of America.…”