http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/..._investigationsSenator Norm Coleman succeeded Senator Paul Wellstone who died in a suspicious plane crash in 2002 during a close Senate race.
It's interesting that Coleman (a newbie to Congress) was made the Chairman of this committee, which is UNHEARD OF for a new person in Congress. So what clout did Coleman have that accelerated his importance in the Senate?
The website above shows that he still serves on this committee and is a ranking member.
Senator Norman Coleman:http://www.nndb.com/people/209/000032113/http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Norm_Coleman(He certainly has some interesting affiliations.) 
