For almost two hours Tuesday, lawmakers and colleagues of Sen. Tony Guglielmo, R-Stafford, heaped praise on the man they called a class act, a dignified statesman, and a reserved but effective fighter for northeastern Connecticut.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Senate Democratic President Pro Tem Martin Looney of New Haven, Senate Republican President Pro Tem Leonard A. Fasano of North Haven, and over a dozen other legislators lined up to congratulate Guglielmo, 77, on his retirement after 25 years in the Senate and applauded his humor, integrity, and ability to distill even complicated issues into basic truths through common sense.