Highlighting High-Performing Feds: A Tradition Continues

During his brief time in office, former Sen. Ted Kaufman, D-Del., established a tradition of doing something most politicians are loath to do: publicly praising federal employees . He made regular speeches on the Senate floor highlighting the achievements of extraordinary civil servants.

Now Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., has picked up Kaufman's mantle, making his own Senate addresses honoring feds, who, as he put it today, in a "very unsung way do great things for our country." Those words came during his tribute to Robert Benzon of Fredericksburg, Va., a senior investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board. Benzon, a 25-year veteran of federal service, has led several high-profile crash investigations.

"Each day we set foot on an airplane and arrive safely at our destination, we have Robert Benzon and his team to thank," Warner said.

Here's video of Warner's tribute: