BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore City Council is paying tribute to Maryland’s senior senator.

Council members are hosting a luncheon Monday for Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a Democrat who’s served in the U.S. Senate since 1987 and was recently named chairwoman of the influential Appropriations Committee.

Council President Bernard “Jack” Young calls Mikulski a friend and advocate and says he’s pleased to welcome her back to the City Council, where she served in the 1970s.

The luncheon will take place at noon at the Curran Conference Room in Baltimore City Hall.

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