Michele Bachmann: “I come to the podium today in recognition of the passing of my predecessor and one of the Members of this body. Joining…”

“I come to the podium today in recognition of the passing of my predecessor and one of the Members of this body. Joining me at the podium are two members of the Minnesota delegation. Representative Erik Paulsen of Minnesota's Third Congressional District was a longtime friend of former United States House of Representatives Member and Senator, Rod Grams. Also joining me at the podium is United States Representative Rick Nolan of Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District, which was also part of the territory represented by former Representative Rod Grams. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a former Member of both this House and the United States Senate from the State of Minnesota, Representative and Senator Rod Grams. Rod peacefully passed away late Tuesday evening after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was only 65 years old. Rod Grams was a very humble man of principle. He grew up on a family farm in Crown, in eastern Minnesota, where he received his ``eternal crown.'' It was the same farm that his father grew up on. It is the farm where Rod acquired his diligent, hardworking, Minnesota-grown work ethic. Rod Grams worked in broadcasting for nearly 25 years in Minnesota. He earned a reputation as a positive communicator who understood how to speak with his fellow Minnesotans. He then built his own business and realized the happiness and challenges of creating jobs and making a go of his American Dream.…”