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Floor Speech

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Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, as another occupant of the back row, I just want to add my incredible thanks for not just his family but for Sherrod and what he stood for in this place. We are going to forever miss him.

We are going to miss--right, Senator Casey--Chuck looking back at this row and glaring at us because Sherrod was talking. ``It is not us. It is not us.''

(Laughter.)

I will forever cherish the note in my desk to Bob that says: Get him to be quiet now. They are going to throw us out.

Sherrod, you have made trouble, but it is a whole lot of good trouble on behalf of the people of this country.

I look up there at Connie, and I will forever love that story that I will not do justice to, but it is the story of when Connie was in an audience and Sherrod was speaking. And a guy she doesn't know turns to her and says: God, I hate that guy's voice.

And she says: Yeah?

And he says: Yeah. You know, it is a bit like fingernails on a blackboard.

And Connie says: Really, you don't like that guy's voice?

He says: Yeah.

And she says: I like his voice.

And he says: You like his voice?

And she says: Yeah. You know when I really like it?

She leans into the guy, the guy leans in, and Connie goes: I really like it when he wakes me up in the middle of the night and says in that gravelly voice: ``I love you, baby.''

(Laughter.)

Your love of Connie and the two of you together is something that is such a model for all of us here. Her success, your success is part of this U.S. Senate story.

And that pin you wear--that canary in the coal mine--this is not the last time we are all going to wear it. For me, it was not just about workers, which is about its glory, but it is also about what we have to confront in this place--the toxicity of this place sometimes--and that you, Sherrod--for us, you were that canary in the coal mine. You are the one reminding us why we are really here when, some days, you just can't believe that people are doing certain things or stopping certain good pieces of legislation for the people of this country.

You are that person for us who stood up not just when the cameras were on but behind closed doors. You reminded us and reminded your staff to carry on, and they are going to take that torch with them and those pins with them every single place they go. So thank you for giving us that inspiration, Sherrod. Thank you for your work.

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