[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 149 (Monday, October 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   BUST CREATED TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE LATE REPRESENTATIVE BILL 
                                EMERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 19, 1998

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, on June 24, 1998, Members of Congress, 
friends, colleagues, and family came together to witness the unveiling 
of a bust created in loving memory of the late Representative Bill 
Emerson of Missouri. The event was attended by over 300 people who 
crowded into the Capitol's Statuary Hall to be part of this tribute.
  This extremely generous effort was made possible due to the 
dedication and loyalty of the many friends of Bill Emerson. However, 
one individual stands out as giving his unlimited personal time and 
determination to make this project a reality. Former staff member and 
close friend Bill Coffield set up the Bill Emerson Memorial Foundation 
in 1997 with its sole charter being to build a lasting memorial to the 
late Congressman. Once established, Mr. Coffield, with the help of 
others, set out to solicit private donations and corporate 
contributions to fund the creation of the bust. Thanks in large part to 
the significant generosity of The Doe Run Company, Sabreliner 
Corporation, The Pillsbury Company, TRW Inc., Hill International, Inc., 
SBC Communications, American Sugar Alliance, ASARCO, National Mining 
Association, Noranda Aluminum, Inc., The Jefferson Group, Inc., and 
Sharp and Lankford, the Foundation had the financial support to move 
forward in commissioning a sculptor. Renowned sculptor Michael Curtis 
of Alexandria, Virginia, was commissioned and began by reviewing 
numerous photographs spanning several years of Bill's life.
  I was honored to take part in this event, which began with an 
invocation by the House Chaplain, followed by personal tributes drom 
several Members including the Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 
Senator Pat Roberts and other distinguished colleagues from the House 
including Reps. Kanjorski and Skelton, and Bill's widow, Rep. Jo Ann 
Emerson, Mr. Curtis unveiled the bust for all to see.
  The finished product is truly a work of art. A remarkable and life-
like bust of our colleague and friend will now reside at the entrance 
of the Page School in the Library of Congress. The location could not 
be more fitting--appropriately named Emerson Hall--since Bill's 
political career started in the 1950's as a page himself, and he was 
past chairman of the House Page Board. We can all be proud knowing that 
the likeness of our beloved late friend, Bill Emerson, will forever 
smile upon the enthusiastic young men and women who come to Washington 
as pages--like Bill did--to invest in themselves and of themselves in 
the service of their country. I know in my heart that Bill will watch 
over these fine young men and women with the love and respect he shared 
for his family, friends, colleagues and the proud people of southern 
Missouri he so capably represented.