Return of Senator Tim Johnson
Floor Speech
RETURN OF SENATOR TIM JOHNSON -- (Senate - September 05, 2007)
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I join in this chorus to say how privileged and humbled I am to stand before this body and welcome back my friend and fellow colleague, Senator Tim Johnson. Tim and I served in the House together. We came to the Senate in the same year. I went up to campaign in South Dakota, and he has been a great friend to Illinois. I have known him more than 20 years.
I remember when I heard he had been stricken. I was stunned, as everybody was across America. As has been said before, the prayers of millions reached out to Tim and his family in their hour of need.
For those who don't know Tim Johnson, he is not a typical politician. He doesn't really struggle for media attention, as some of us might; but he got a lot more attention than he ever thought he would because the whole world watched anxiously during those moments of surgery and recovery and rehabilitation. There wasn't a place you would go anywhere in America that Tim Johnson wasn't asked about. ``How is he doing?'' ``What is the latest?'' ``When is he coming back?''
Those of us who knew Tim and what he had done in the Senate and House, those of us who know his great family knew he would be back. He is one of those tough Scandinavians--not really flashy but solid. You just knew he was going to make it. I thought to myself, of all of us who could have suffered this terrible illness, this is one man who will be able to make it back. I also knew something that has already been alluded to. When Tim and Barbara took those vows to stand by one another in sickness and in health, they really meant it because they have proved it over and over again to one another. Loretta and I went by the hospital one day and it wasn't a good day to visit, so we left a note. We have come to know how close they are and supportive of one another.
It wasn't just Barbara's strength but the strength of the whole family that came through in Tim's recovery. He has done such a remarkable job today. He has brought out the humanity of the united states Senate. We can put aside the issues and the bickering, the fighting and the party labels, and really show that, when it gets down to it, we are part of a family that really cares about one another on a personal basis.
We are so glad to have you back, Tim. We wish you the best. We will be back in the Appropriations Committee fighting for South Dakota and Illinois real soon. Thank you.
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