Amy Klobuchar: “I rise to honor our friend Bill Nelson. As a member of the Commerce Committee, I have been able to see firsthand his…”

“I rise to honor our friend Bill Nelson. As a member of the Commerce Committee, I have been able to see firsthand his leadership, and I have learned a lot from him. I think we all heard his heartfelt remarks about what he loves. He loves his service. He loves Grace up there and his family. He loves his staff, and he loves everything about the State of Florida. Service for him was, of course, service in the Army, service as an astronaut, service in the State government, service in Congress, and service in the U.S. Senate. I first met Bill in Minnesota. I am not sure he remembers this, but I do because he was one of the first Senators I met other than a Minnesota Senator. He came to help my good friend Paul Wellstone. I remember what struck me immediately about him was how kind he was and how warm he was. Part of that, of course, was the warmth he was bringing from Florida. Maybe you wouldn't think our States have a lot in common, but what you might not know is that there are entire beaches in Florida filled with Minnesotans in the winter months, perhaps even entire towns--but at this point, he had come to our State. It was no surprise, then, when I first was elected and we got to Washington, that Bill and Grace were so welcoming to our family. They got me involved in the Prayer Breakfast, which has meant a lot to me through my years in the Senate. It has been such a comfort. I have gotten to know so many people, really, because of their encouragement.…”