[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 136 (Friday, October 4, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S7210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           GOLDEN GAVEL AWARD

  Mr. REID. Madam President, we have not had a harder working Senator 
in the past 9 months than the Presiding Officer.
  You have worked so hard doing so many different things, not the least 
of which is presiding over the Senate. You have presided over the 
Senate in the early morning hours, late-night hours. It is remarkable. 
I so appreciate your doing this. The entire Senate, Democrats and 
Republicans, has expressed their appreciation through me to the 
Presiding Officer for the good work you do in trying to make this place 
better. Not only do you preside, but you do a good job. You are 
dignified, and you do it with authority.
  The people of Wisconsin are so fortunate to have the distinguished 
Presiding Officer as a Senator. I have had the good fortune to serve 
with a number of other Senators from Wisconsin. Russ Feingold was such 
a good friend. I miss him very much. Herb Kohl is a unique individual 
who added a great deal to the Senate with the many things he did as a 
long-term member of the Appropriations Committee. However, none of the 
Senators I have served with from Wisconsin will outshine the 
distinguished Presiding Officer. You have been remarkably good. You 
have only been here a short period of time, but in the short period of 
time you have been here, you have had admirable dedication to this 
institution.
  Senator Baldwin is a native of Wisconsin--the first woman ever to 
represent that great State.
  As frequently as you have presided, you have enjoyed a front-row 
seat. History is being made during this congressional session. Some of 
the sessions you have watched haven't been too much fun, but it has 
been good, and you have done such a remarkably good job.
  On behalf of all of the Senators, I congratulate you and thank you 
for your service to the Senate. This is the first Golden Gavel Award. 
There will be a presentation made at our caucus this Tuesday to 
recognize your distinction. This is something that is traditional, the 
Golden Gavel. It is a beautiful memento we will present to you on 
Tuesday.

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