On the recordMarch 21, 2012
I rise today also to pay tribute to my colleague, the senior Senator from Maryland, Barbara Mikulski. As everyone has said, this is a landmark, this is a milestone: the longest serving woman Senator and Member of Congress in the history of Congress, serving more than 35 years. As a relatively junior Member of this body, I love Barbara Mikulski. I love her because she calls me ``Franken.'' That is music to my ears. We are in the caucus lunch, I may be in her way, and she says: Franken. I am not only a relatively junior Senator, I actually kind of recently was a comedian at one point. And she is really funny--Barbara. I remember the first time I saw her speak--it was years ago, years ago; I cannot remember what the event was--and I am going to try to quote her joke. It was her joke, remember, about herself. She talked about her first campaign effort. I think it was for city council or something like that. She said: I knocked on 7,387 doors, and I walked a total of 372 miles, and I didn't lose a pound. So I love Barbara. And she is a force--a force--of nature. Being the dean of women here is not her most commanding title. Her most commanding title is: a fighter. She is a fighter. When she commits herself to a cause, she is a true champion. She is a true champion for America's seniors, preserving pensions; of Medicare, defending Medicare--boy, do not attack Medicare around Barbara Mikulski--and combating poverty.…
