WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) honored the service of Senator John McCain (R-Ari.) on the Senate floor. Senator King’s remarks came following a tribute to Senator McCain from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

“I just wanted to join in thanking you, for, number one, going to see Senator McCain, and for number two, for the comments that you made,” said Senator King. “I came here five and half years ago never having met John McCain, and have gotten to know him over that period by serving on his Armed Services Committee, by traveling with him – I told some friends in Maine over the weekend, traveling with John McCain is like a long march with Paul McCartney. You work hard, and everyone in the world knows him. And he is an extraordinary leader, and one of the most principled people I’ve ever met. I was speaking to a college graduation in far Northern Maine, and characterized him, almost spontaneously, as a person I consider the greatest living American. The audience broke into spontaneous applause, because I think they agreed. So I just want to thank the Senator for the time that he has taken to acknowledge this great American today, and join my comments to his in recognizing one of the most extraordinary careers in American history.”