By RFD Radio/WFMB

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin offered a sendoff to his junior Senator Republican colleague Thursday.

Durbin recapped six years of frequent cooperation with U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk. He also saluted him on his recovery from a massive stroke four years ago.

“It was a calendar year that he had to give to rehabilitation to learn how to walk and speak again and do the basic things we take from granted,” Durbin said. “It was an extraordinary show of courage and determination on his part.”

Durbin said Kirk’s service to the state and nation started long before he reached Capitol Hill’s upper chamber.

“I think him for the service he’s given to the state the service he has given to our nation as an officer in the Navy Reserve, for the years he put in as a staff member to Congressman John Porter, for the work that he did in the House of Representatives,” Durbin said.

Durbin added Kirk’s successor Tammy Duckworth will work with him on Kirk’s outgoing request that Durbin works to protect Lake Michigan.