By the time of his retirement in 2008, Martin Paone had been on or around the Senate floor for three decades, beginning in the Democratic Cloakroom, moving to the Democratic Policy Committee’s floor staff, and then serving as the minority secretary and majority secretary for Senate Democrats. During these many years he worked under the leadership of Senators Robert C. Byrd, George Mitchell, Tom Daschle, and Harry Reid. As secretary of the majority, he was essentially the “floor manager” of the Senate. When he retired, Senator Reid claimed that it was no exaggeration that “every single Democrat—and more than a few Republicans” relied on Paone’s expertise every day, himself included. “Nothing happens on the Senate floor,” said the majority leader, “—no legislation is considered, no parliamentary procedure enacted—without Marty’s influence.”