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Sen. Scott Brown Reflects On First Year In Office

Senator Scott Brown got a little emotional talking about his first year in the US Senate.

"The reception I've gotten from the people of Massachusetts... it's really been amazing… to go around and get the handshakes and hugs and autographs and well wishes." Brown says, "The thing that's most gratifying: when someone comes up and says I didn't vote for you but I love what you're doing. You make me proud to be from Massachusetts."

He says he is proud of his record. "To be able to have the ability to say you're doing to do something and go do it and do it as well as you can... Every piece of legislation I do I do with the best interest of the people of this state in mind, and I don't know if that's been done before."

Brown's biggest accomplishment during his first year? "I did what I said I was going to do be an independent voter and thinker."

WBZ-TV's Karen Anderson reports.

He believes he's won the respect of voters on both sides of the aisle. "They may not agree with me, but they respect that I'm being honest and that I'm working my butt off for them."

What's ahead? Senator Brown says his priorities are to cut debt and deficit and grow jobs. He has filed a procurement reform bill to change the way the government gives out contracts. He says right now if there is fraud, waste or abuse, sometimes the companies still get bonuses right now.

He will vote to repeal the health care bill when it comes before the Senate. Why not improve it rather than repeal it? Brown says, "We already have health care here, and a lot of states want the ability to determine for their own citizens their own care and coverage they want."

What has kept Senator Brown grounded? "Having a strong family and good family connections. Having Gail with me most of the time now. Being able to get out and about and back every weekend, and drive around on the truck it's got 216,000 miles now."

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