Commending Senator Norm Coleman

Floor Speech

Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I honor and bid farewell to my friend and our colleague, Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota. Norm and I served together for 6 years in the Senate and on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also served on the Agriculture, Aging, Homeland Security, and Small Business Committees. He has a legislative record to be proud of.

As our colleagues know, I have long enjoyed my work with Native people. Norm, throughout his tenure, was a steadfast friend of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people and a strong advocate for the interests of the tribes in his home State of Minnesota. His voice will be missed in the U.S. Senate on these issues.

As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Norm pushed for drastic reforms in our Nation's emergency response and recovery capabilities in the wake of the failed response to Hurricane Katrina. He was diligent and steadfast in his desire to protect our country and deeply engaged in efforts to increase protections for our Nation's critical infrastructure.

I will remember Norm as one who had a love and appreciation for my State of Alaska. On several occasions he enjoyed the beauty of Alaska while seeking his prized king salmon on the Kenai River. Norm further extended his Alaska ties by hiring Jennifer Mies Lowe, who is married to my former chief of staff, George Lowe. Jennifer served Senator Stevens for many years before moving to Senator Coleman's office as his chief of staff.

Norm has a long record of public service fighting for Minnesotans. He served as mayor of St. Paul before being called by the people of Minnesota to come to the U.S. Senate. I expect that we have not heard the last of him.

In closing I would like to wish Norm, his wife Laurie, and children Jacob and Sarah the very best. Norm, thank you for your service to the Nation, the Senate, and Minnesota. I know Norm and his strong sense of service to his country, and while I will miss him in the Senate, I look forward to his next opportunity to serve.

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