Frank Lautenberg: “we have listened with interest and total accord as the life of Barbara Mikulski in the Senate has been reviewed by so…”

“we have listened with interest and total accord as the life of Barbara Mikulski in the Senate has been reviewed by so many people. We have heard the friendship and good will we all share toward her. Her record is quite well known. She is determined to get things done. She never lets minutia stand in the way or block an accomplishment. And I have noticed one thing: When Barbara Mikulski starts to talk during a debate, the noise around the room quiets down. And if it doesn't, beware; Barbara will call your attention to it and say it in a way that demands attention. Barbara and I arrived in the Senate in fairly close proximity. I came here in 1983 and Barbara arrived in 1986, as I recall. We were both on the Appropriations Committee. I had some slight seniority over her, and one of the things that were being dealt with was seniority. Barbara asked for my help in the choice of subcommittee, and I tried to step out of the way and help Barbara obtain the chairmanship of a subcommittee in Appropriations, which she managed so well and so effectively. She once called me her Galahad, and I was proud of the moniker because it was intended to be a compliment and a sign of friendship. Strikingly, Barbara Mikulski and I have backgrounds that are not dissimilar. I came from Polish heritage. My grandparents on my paternal side were born in Poland, as Barbara's family was. They were immigrants.…”