Ron Kind: “early today the people of Wisconsin and this great Nation lost a great public servant, and I lost a good friend and a…”

“early today the people of Wisconsin and this great Nation lost a great public servant, and I lost a good friend and a political hero, Senator William Proxmire. Senator Proxmire passed away at the age of 90 after a long and courageous battle against Alzheimer's. I had the great fortune and honor to intern for Senator Proxmire after my junior year in college. He was to me all that is good and decent about public service. I valued his counsel and advice when I became a Member of the United States Congress. During his 32 years in the United States Senate, Senator Proxmire epitomized what a good public servant should be about; hard work, dedicated, principled and accountable to the people he represented. He was famous back home in Wisconsin for two things: Shaking a lot of hands and giving out a monthly Golden Fleece Award for the most ridiculous expenditure of taxpayer dollars. I am still amazed even today when people come up to me to share their favorite Proxmire story. I swear everyone living in the State of Wisconsin during Senator Proxmire's years in office had the opportunity to shake his hand at some sporting or other public event or on the main street of their hometown. He was tireless when it came to representing the people of Wisconsin, and tireless traveling around the State to give people a chance to meet their United States Senator.…”