[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          SENATOR DICK DURBIN

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I came to the floor and waiting was my 
friend, Senator Durbin of Illinois, the assistant Democratic leader. He 
is always available. Whenever the Senate needs him or I have a problem, 
he is the first person I call. He gets little notoriety or credit for 
all the work he does.
  We came to Washington together in 1982 as freshmen Members of the 
House of Representatives. I have had the good fortune of being able to 
serve with him for some 26 years. He is such a good friend, such a 
great orator, has such a great mind. He is such a great asset to the 
Senate, to me, and, of course, to the State of Illinois.
  I appreciate calling him, as I do many mornings, and he is there very 
quickly. He helps me work through the day's issues. I publicly 
acknowledge what a good Senator he is and what a good friend he is.

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