Lautenberg Honored in Mass Transit-Inspired Send-Off at Secaucus Junction

In a fitting tribute Wednesday to the man long known as one of Washington's foremost mass transit advocates, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg's body was taken by Amtrak train from the rail station that bears his name to the nation's capital, where it will lie in repose in the U.S. Senate Chamber through Thursday.

Lautenberg's family and staff accompanied the senator for his final Amtrak ride, which was preceded by a brief ceremony and color guard salute at the Secaucus Junction station's main concourse, attended by some 100 mourners, including Gov. Chris Christie, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and former Gov. Richard Codey. 

Rabbi Daniel Cohen of Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange, the congregation where the senator belonged, eulogized Lautenberg at the Secaucus ceremony, calling him a "great American" and a "great son of New Jersey."

"We stand here in this rail station dedicated to him. We take a moment to give thanks for an incredible life," Cohen said. "We honor Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a great American, father, grandfather, husband and standing here in his home state, we acknowledge a son of New Jersey. I miss you, Frank." 

Lautenberg will be buried on Friday in Arlington National Cemetery.