Senators teased Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, for his Italian heritage and proclivity to stand up to big men and big voices as it named him Senate Pro Tempore, a post that includes serving as governor for the day.

"He's gone from the Texas House to the Texas Senate to the doghouse and now chairman of Transportation and Homeland security, all without whacking anybody,'' said Sen. Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth.

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and others reminded senators of past days when Carona stood up to the 6-foot-4 former wide receiver, Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, and the ``big voice'' of Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston.

"It is not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog,'' Zaffirini said, while Brimer joked that the much shorter Carona is shaped like a manhole cover.

Dewhurst said West recently whispered in his ear, "We are having a big problem with Carona ... he only picks on us big guys.''

Carona was also lauded by his peers for compassion and honesty in how he'll cast his votes.

Accepting the honor, he said if the Legislature can approve a constitutional amendment that would pour $3 billion into cancer research, it could also do more for "defenseless children'' and the elderly needing health care.

He urged Senators to honor its tradition of a two-thirds vote to hear any piece of legislation and warned of those who wield too much economic power.

"I don't think those robber barons are a thing of the past,'' he said. "To handle it will take courageous leadership.''

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