Retiring Sen. Chris Dodd stole actress Jennifer Garner’s thunder on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning.

Although the pretty “13 Going on 30” actress went before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee Subcommittee on Children and Education to discuss early childhood education, Senators were more interested in honoring the Connecticut Democrat than fawning over a celebrity. Thursday marked Dodd’s last hearing with the committee.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) led the room in a round of applause thanking Dodd for his service to the committee, and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) also offered praise. “We’re going to miss Chris’ infectious congeniality,” he said.

Garner finally got her chance to speak — but only after Dodd moved the hearing along. “I’m tempted to keep hearing from my colleagues, but we have witnesses to get to,” he joked.

Garner thanked the Senator for his many decades of service during her remarks. “Personally speaking, I know you to be an excellent lunch partner,” she said.

A Feast on the Hill

HOH eyed several Florida lawmakers chowing down on seafood Wednesday night at Florida House on Capitol Hill. Sen. Bill Nelson (D), Sen.-elect Marco Rubio (R) and Reps. Adam Putnam (R) and Vern Buchanan (R) were among those who ate gourmet seafood during the soirée.

The tourism group Visit Florida and the Florida House, which serves as the Sunshine State’s embassy in D.C., sponsored the feast to promote seafood from the state. Guests feasted on shrimp cocktail, lobster and grouper while a musician played a steel drum.

It was just like being in the Sunshine State — only a tad bit colder.