On his way to a memorial service for late Sen. Paul Wellstone, Congressman Gil Gutknecht made a stop at Albert Lea High School Wednesday. Gutknecht gave his tribute to his fiery political opponent.

&uot;It’s a sad day for Washington, a very sad day for Minnesota.&uot; Gutknecht said in front of students in Todd Brist’s government class. &uot;It’s a sad day for all of us in politics, because whether we agreed or disagreed with Sen. Wellstone, most of us really liked him.&uot;

Gutknecht, saying he was dressed up nicer than his usual school visit for the memorial service, praised the American democracy where different opinions and disagreements can exist without creating a personal grudge, referring to what he has seen in the House floor.

&uot;You can have two people who are arguing with each other with red faces and pointing their hands, very excited about their position on a particular amendment or bill. And then, the speaker will announce the next bill. And the two people, who made the argument on the last bill, cosponsor the next bill,&uot; Gutknecht said. &uot;This is the miracle of our democracy. You can disagree without becoming disagreeable.&uot;

&uot;I think that was one of the great things about Sen. Wellstone. He could argue very aggressively for his position, and still be an incredibly likable person,&uot; he said.

Gutknecht remembers Wellstone as a person with charm. In the Senate, where formality has been surviving in a stricter way than the House, members avoid calling each other by their first name. &uot;But Paul was an exception,&uot; he said.

The unexpected loss of the incumbent senator has brought a great deal of uncertainty for the election. Gutknecht, who hosted President Bush in Rochester just a week before Wellstone’s death, is also unsure about how the tragedy would influence on the voting.

&uot;How it will affect the outcome of the election is anybody’s guess,&uot; he said.&uot;