Byron Dorgan: “Yesterday Senator Wellstone told our caucus of the health challenges Mike Epstein has been facing. I am someone who…”

“Yesterday Senator Wellstone told our caucus of the health challenges Mike Epstein has been facing. I am someone who knows Mike. Am I his closest friend? No. But Senator Wellstone had his office next to mine in the Hart Building. Every day-- during votes, and coming and going in the Senate--I would see Mike Epstein and see my colleague, Senator Wellstone, moving back and forth. I watched, with some wonder, at the work he did for Senator Wellstone. I know he is now facing a health challenge that is difficult. I know there are times in this fast-paced world of ours--especially here in the Senate, with the travel and the hearings and the moving about quickly--that it is easy to forget what makes this work and what has real value in our lives. This is a moment, as Mike faces this challenge, to say to Mike: Our thoughts and prayers are with you today as you face this serious health challenge. But we also want, as we think of you, to say thanks for what you have done here.”