Chuck Hagel: “I rise to respond very briefly on behalf of this Senator, and I think I speak for the entire body when I say thank you…”

“I rise to respond very briefly on behalf of this Senator, and I think I speak for the entire body when I say thank you to Senator Spence Abraham from Michigan for his contributions, his leadership, his effectiveness. My grandfather Hagel used to occasionally pay the highest compliment to an individual when he would say: He is a good man. Well, Spence Abraham is a good man. He will go on to do other very significant things with his life, with his talent, with his leadership. We will all be well served. It will impact the future of his children and our children, just as his service in the Senate has made this a better institution and a stronger Nation. I have been privileged to serve with Spence Abraham, be his seatmate here on the Senate floor, and become a good friend. Of that friendship and that service, I am proud. I thank Senator Abraham. I yield the floor.”