By RANDAL EDGAR
State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- She's often addressed as "Madam President," but last Tuesday, as the Senate wrapped up its daily session, Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed seemed to have found a new title.

The name games followed an announcement by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Daniel DaPonte that Paiva Weed is one of a handful of public figures across the globe who is being honored by the president of Portugal.

"She will be honored by the president of the Republic of Portugal with a very rare and special distinction," DaPonte said. "She will be getting an award, a merit award with a very high distinction, and will be honored with the title of Commander."

The full name of the award is "Commander of the Order of Merit," which DaPonte said is bestowed on "Portuguese descendants all over the world," but only to about a dozen each year.

The announcement seemed to catch Paiva Weed off guard. "Thank you, senator, I didn't expect that," she told DaPonte.

The next person to speak was Sen. Walter S. Felag, D-Warren.

Recognized by Paiva Weed, he responded: "Ah, yes, Commander."