Minnesota Senator Al Franken on Tuesday congratulated Minnesota on becoming the 12th state to legalize gay marriage.

Minnesota is the first Midwestern state to approve such unions with a legislative vote.

(Related: Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signs gay marriage law.)

“I've been married to Franni for 37 years and it's the best thing that ever happened to me,” Franken said in a statement. “As a long-time supporter of marriage equality, I believe that every loving couple – in Minnesota and across the country – should have the same opportunity. And now, thanks to courageous – and not to mention, bipartisan – votes by the Minnesota State Legislature and support from Minnesotans statewide, we are the latest state to legalize same-sex marriage. Today I'm proud that Gov. Mark Dayton signed legislation bringing marriage equality to Minnesota. Our country is beginning to understand that it's not about what a family looks like: It's about their love and commitment to one another.”