Senate holds moment of silence for Lautenberg

“When I learned earlier this morning that Frank Lautenberg had died I of course immediately became very, very sad,” Reid said on the Senate floor Monday. “I have a heavy heart.”

{mosads}Lautenberg died of viral pneumonia. He was the last World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Senate.

“He was very proud of his military service,” Reid said. “He is the last World War II veteran that served in the U.S. Senate.”

Reid read through a handful of legislative accomplishments Lautenberg achieved over nearly 30 years in the Senate, including his work to ban smoking on airplanes and to stop domestic abusers from owning a gun

“Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to Frank,” Reid said. “He loved being in the Senate. … The nation is going to miss his strengths and progressive leadership.”