The parents of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, received national recognition Friday for achieving a milestone that not many people can achieve.

During a segment on political milestones, Chuck Todd, host of MSNBC’s “Meet the Press Daily” television show, said he wanted to take a moment to mention the 70th wedding anniversary of Collins’ parents, Don and Pat Collins.

The couple were married Feb, 28, 1948, after first meeting as students at the University of Maine, according to a statement issued by Collins’ staff. During the segment, Todd displayed a photograph of the couple and their famous daughter.

“I want to talk about a different milestone. This one has to do with a friend of the show,” Todd said. “This is Pat and Don Collins. Don is 92; Pat is 90. You may never have heard of them, but you’ve certainly heard of their daughter: Maine Senator Susan Collins.”

“She’s one of six kids. Well guess what? This week, Pat and Don are celebrating their 70th anniversary. Seventy years of being married,” Todd said.

“They were married in 1948, before Alaska and Hawaii became states. How about that kind of commitment? We think it’s something worth celebrating,” he added.

Todd said the couple have devoted their lives to public service. Don Collins is a World War II veteran who was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, and both he and his wife served terms as mayors of their hometown – Caribou.

“I can’t think of any other couple who can lay claim to that,” said Todd, who also hosts NBC’s long-running “Meet the Press” show on Sundays.

Todd said his employer understands the effort it takes to stick with someone or something for seven decades, noting that “Meet the Press” turned 70 years old last year.

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