Thank you for your contribution. Your support is critical to helping me to get things done. I've turned the page from campaigning to doing what the voters of Minnesota elected me to do -- fight for the best interests of the people in our state and across America. After spending two years talking about what I planned to do if elected, it's an incredible feeling to be here and start getting things done. My first piece of legislation was the Service Dogs for Veterans Act -- which established a program withing the U.S. Department of Veteran Affiars that pairs disabled veterans with service dogs...

In these days where bipartisanship has become a concept imbued with cynicism and mockery, this was, amazingly enough, truly a bipartisan bill. Co-sponsors included Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-G.A.), Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-L.A.), Sen. Mark Begich (D-A.K.), and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-O.H.).

How like Al to craft legislation that is both compassionate and smart. Here's how he described it:

"There’s a huge return on investment here. Service dogs can do amazing things, and there is evidence to suggest that increasing their numbers would reduce the alarming suicide rate among veterans, decrease the number of hospitalizations, and lower the cost of medications and human care.

"I believe it is enough simply to improve the lives of those of whom we asked so much. But this program isn't just the right thing to do. It's the smart thing to do. This small investment will pay dividends for these veterans for years to come."

I also offered an amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill that would stop funding defense contractors who deny victims of sexual assault their day in court.

Yes, he did. An amendment that was, not incidentally, opposed by the Defense Department. If you missed Franken's masterful performance in dismantling the KBR attorney who was attempting to defend mandatory, binding arbitration for rape cases, it was a thing of beauty. But first, he displayed exemplary respect and admiration for Jamie Leigh Jones, the courageous young woman who was brutally gang-raped by KBR employees in Iraq. Watch:

I've learned that a senator has the incredible privilege of doing things that make a real difference to real people. That's a privilege I will continue to cherish.

And it's a privilege that he wasted no time in putting into practice. Senator Al is capable of working magic with people, by the simple act of patient listening, by saying in response to challenges, "That's a great question", and then giving replies that are respectful, considerate, detailed and exactly on topic. He does this even with angry people, people who have been incited to believe that people like Al Franken are socialists and health care reform is an evil plot. Every politician should be required to watch this, and learn:

Thank you for your continuing support. Sincerely,

Al Franken

Thank you, Al, for setting such a wonderful example, even as a freshman senator. There is little doubt that you will prove to be a worthy successor to Paul Wellstone. Happy Holidays to you and Franni.