Byron Dorgan: “Marty began in the House Post Office to help pay his way through graduate school at Georgetown. He then worked to the…”

“Marty began in the House Post Office to help pay his way through graduate school at Georgetown. He then worked to the Senate parking office. Then, in 1979, 29 years ago, Marty began working in the Senate Democratic Cloakroom. Marty worked his way up the ranks until being appointed Secretary for the Minority in 1995. It is impossible to overstate Marty's importance to everything that we have done on the floor of the U.S. Senate: what comes to the floor, what gets off the floor, what gets amended or not. But Marty has not just been indispensable on procedure and tactics. Marty has also been an invaluable strategic adviser to me, to the Democratic leadership and, I say with confidence, to every Democratic Senator and to more than a few Republican Senators. There just aren't many people I could say that about. We have relied on him and will miss him because of his tireless work ethic, his excellent judgment and his ability to be the calm in the middle of the storm. And for anyone who has been in the middle of a storm around here, staying calm is no easy task. Marty has also put in the hours. Early days and late nights were the norm. But, he is always been here. For that, we will always be grateful. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention his family and our gratitude to them for all the time he was here helping us rather than at home with them.”