Sen. Daniel Inouye has said a lot of goodbyes to retiring colleagues over the years. On Friday, he sent well wishes to 18-term Washington Democratic Rep. Norm Dicks, who announced he is retiring. 

Inouye, 87, said in a statement that he met Dicks, 71, more than 40 years ago when Dicks was a staff member for former Sen. Warren “Maggie” Magnuson, who was also a Washington Democrat. 

“It’s safe to say we’re old buddies,” Inouye said of Dicks. “The man is a class act and his word is good. You can take what Norm says and put it in the bank.”

Inouye also described Dicks’ strong character, “relentless good humor” and service as “one of the finest appropriators in the House.”