The Senate honored Ted Stevens, the former Senator from Alaska who was killed in a plane crash this week, with a moment of silence, a resolution and an end-of-summer recess.
Stevens, who served in the Senate for 40 years until he lost the 2008 election amid a corruption scandal, was on a fishing trip with a small group of friends when their small plane crashed in a remote area of Alaska.
The Senate returned to session on Thursday to give final approval to legislation to provide $600 million to strengthen security along the border with Mexico in the latest measure aimed at fighting illegal immigration, a highly politically sensitive issue in this midterm election year.
With two senators present representing the 100-member chamber, the Senate also used the occasion to honor Stevens.
Senator Charles Schumer made note of the Incredible Hulk tie that Stevens would wear when there was a battle to be fought on the Senate floor.
