[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 95 (Thursday, July 20, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7308-S7310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING SENATOR PAUL COVERDELL

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Paul 
Coverdell, our friend and colleague. Paul was an extraordinary human 
being who really cared. He looked at his opportunity to serve in the 
Senate as a way to make a difference in the lives of his fellow man.
  I will never forget Paul Coverdell. He was one of the first people 
who reached out to me when I first came to this body, greeting me with 
a warm welcome and caring advice. Although he was in leadership and had 
many demands on his time, he always had time for me and truly listened 
to what I had to say. He had common sense and a common touch. I have 
truly enjoyed working with him on several legislative initiatives, 
particularly education and the Ed-Flex bill we passed last year.
  Paul had a wonderful knack for being able to work with people and to 
get things done. He led by example. He understood that to be a leader 
one had to serve. There was no job so small that he would not take it. 
His commitment and ability always made you want to be on his team. His 
enthusiasm was contagious. He made you feel good just being around him.
  My regret is that because of my short tenure in the Senate, I did not 
get to know Paul or spend as much time with him as many of my 
colleagues.
  He gave witness to his Christian faith every day. He will continue to 
be my role model in the Senate. Paul Coverdell will be missed by all of 
us, but my faith tells me that he is eternally happy with our Father in 
Heaven. I pray that thought will give comfort to his wife Nancy and the 
members of his family.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, as have so many of my colleagues, I speak 
with a sense of loss and sadness about the passing of our friend, Paul 
Coverdell. Over the years serving in the Senate, I have seen too often 
the flowers on a Senator's desk and known, by that unique tradition of 
our body, the reflection that we have lost somebody in an untimely 
fashion--no one more untimely than the Senator from Georgia.
  I have had the honor to serve with many Senators during the time the 
people of Vermont have been kind enough to let me be here. Each of 
these Senators has brought special qualities. It might be a knack for 
fiery oration or professorial intelligence. But Paul Coverdell brought 
a special formula of kindness and quiet persistence.
  I first knew Paul when he was director of the Peace Corps. I was 
chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee which handled his 
budget. I recall times when there would be an issue that would come up 
of some contention. I remember President Bush calling and saying: Pat, 
sit down with Paul. I assure you you can work it out.
  We would sit quietly in my office. We would go over the issues, and 
we would work it out. We would work it out because I knew that Paul 
Coverdell would keep his word; he knew I would mine. I also knew that 
neither of us would read about the intricacies of our agreements in the 
paper the next day. We would keep each other's confidence.
  When he came to the Senate, he was first and foremost a tireless 
champion for the interests of the people of Georgia. We all remember 
his relentless advocacy for some of the military bases in his home 
State and how proud he was to represent the State that hosted the 
Olympic games in 1996. In that regard he entered the sometimes messy 
realm of appropriations to bring full Federal support to that gigantic 
effort.
  In many ways, these efforts were an embodiment of the people of 
Georgia, possessing a boundless energy, ambition, and generosity.
  What I remember most, though, about Paul Coverdell--and so many of 
our colleagues have said the same thing--is how he worked on everything 
with a paradoxically quiet energy. He was not one to seek the cameras 
and head to the floor to yell about every disagreement. If he had a 
disagreement, he would call you. He would go and work with you face to 
face. He was often convincing. I know he changed my mind on issues.
  I think one of the reasons he was so convincing is that he was always 
open-minded and attentive. I don't think there is any case more obvious 
about that than the Senate's recent consideration of the supplemental 
appropriation for antidrug assistance in Colombia.
  There were many disagreements on this aid package. But everybody, 
whether they were on his side or on the opposite side, admired the 
strength of his conviction and the depth of the knowledge of the 
region.
  I was privileged to work closely with him on a resolution on a recent 
presidential election in Peru. Senator Coverdell and I believed 
strongly that it was important for the United States to send a strong 
message throughout the hemisphere in support of democracy and to 
condemn the blatant subversion of democracy by the Fujimori government. 
Again, it was the strength of Paul's convictions and willingness to 
stand for the most important principles this country stands for. That 
is why the resolution was there.
  Our mutual concern for international human rights extended to the 
effort to establish a global ban of antipersonnel landmines. I was so 
pleased to work with Paul on this issue. He would always consider my 
proposals thoughtfully and thoroughly. He brought a very special 
perspective. For him, banning landmines was about protecting Peace 
Corps volunteers and the communities they served. He had this unique 
way of looking at an issue that went way beyond warring parties. He was 
concerned about innocent civilians.
  Paul took part in these debates and he worked behind the scenes with 
a

[[Page S7309]]

big-hearted kindness. He was one of the kindest people to grace this 
floor, and there was a certain peacefulness about him that was always 
pleasantly contagious. In a sometimes very divisive Senate, that 
peacefulness was so respected.
  That is why when I look at the flowers, like many of us who have 
served here a long time, I think we have seen those flowers too often. 
But it is hard to think of a time when both Republicans and Democrats 
have felt the pain more than on this occasion. Paul, we will all miss 
you.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, all of use are saddened by the death in 
our Senate family. I join Senators on both sides of the aisle in 
mourning the loss of our colleague and friend, Paul Coverdell, and I 
extend my deepest condolences to the members of his family.
  Senator Coverdell and I differed on many of the major issues of the 
day. But it was obvious to all of us who served with him that he was a 
leader of genuine conviction, deep principle, great ability, and high 
purpose.
  His commitment to public service was extraordinary. It was always a 
privilege to work with him.
  I especially admired his dedication to seeking common ground--to 
exploring every aspect of every issue, and to learn as much as possible 
about it--to going the extra mile to achieve worthwhile compromise 
instead of confrontation--and above all to finding practical answers to 
the many serious challenges we face together in the Senate.
  He was deeply committed to enhancing the qualify of life for all 
Americans. We both shared a strong commitment to improving education in 
all of the Nation's schools. I'm saddened that he will no longer be 
with us as the Senate turns again in coming days to the important 
debate on support for elementary and secondary education in schools and 
communities across the country.
  I also particularly admired Paul Coverdell's leadership role as 
Director of the Peace Corps in the Bush administration from 1989 to 
1991, before he came to the Senate.
  Over the years, the Peace Corps has had special meaning for all of us 
in the Kennedy family, because it is one of the finest legacies of 
President Kennedy. I know that my brother would have been proud of Paul 
Coverdell's commitment to the Peace Corps and its ideals and its 
service to peoples in need in many different lands.
  In a very real sense, the campaign slogan that Paul Coverdell used so 
effectively in his successful Senate re-election campaign in Georgia 2 
years ago sums up his extraordinary career, and tells why he had so 
much respect and friendship from all of us. That slogan consisted of 
two simple words--``Coverdall Works.'' And it was true, in every sense 
of the word. Paul Coverdell served the Senate well, the Nation well, 
and the people of Georgia well, and we will miss him very much.
  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, Howell Raines, Editorial Page Editor of 
The New York Times has written a warm and wonderful tribute to Paul 
Coverdell, recalling his career in the Georgia State Senate in the 
1970s. It is part of his life story that is not widely known here in 
Washington--certainly not by me--and helps to account for the great 
affection and respect in which he was held here in the United States 
Senate.
  Withal this adds a touch to our mourning, we are much indeed indebted 
to Mr. Raines memoir.
  I ask unanimous consent that the ``Editorial Notebook'' from this 
morning's New York Times be printed in full in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                [From the New York Times, July 20, 2000]

                      A Quiet Man in a Noisy Trade

                           (By Howell Raines)


paul coverdell's leap to the senate marked a shift in southern politics

       Senator Paul Coverdell of Georgia was a mild-mannered 
     Republican seasoned in political obscurity. As minority 
     leader of the Georgia State Senate in the 1970's, he was part 
     of a legislative bloc so small and impotent that it was 
     ignored, steamrolled and sometimes openly ridiculed by the 
     Democrats who controlled the legislature as if by birthright. 
     None of us covering the Georgia Capitol in those days would 
     have picked Mr. Coverdell, who died Tuesday at age 61, as a 
     future United States senator. Now, in retrospect, we can see 
     him as part of the second of two transforming waves that 
     swept Georgia politics in the last third of the 20th century.
       The first wave of change was driven by law. The Voting 
     Rights Act of 1965 brought hundreds of black Democrats into 
     office. The second wave of change was demographic, as 
     exemplified by fast-growing Atlanta. Georgia's progressive 
     Democrats had long dreamed of the day when Atlanta would be 
     big enough to outvote the state's rural conservatives. What 
     they had not foreseen was that thousands of the newcomers 
     flooding into the Atlanta suburbs would be out-of-state 
     Republicans who rejected both the Democratic power structure 
     and the Goldwater Republicans then in control of the Southern 
     G.O.P.
       They created a ready-made constituency for Mr. Coverdell, a 
     classic mainstream Republican who was fiscally conservative 
     yet moderate on social issues. ``That was what made the 
     Republican Party attractive to these people who came in,'' 
     said Bill Shipp, a veteran political commentator from 
     Atlanta. ``Until Coverdell and Johnny Isakson [another 
     Atlanta moderate] came along, Georgia Republicans were 
     disgruntled segregationist Democrats.''
       Unlike the sprinkling of ultraconservative Republicans 
     elected during the Goldwater boom, Mr. Coverdell was not 
     hostile to black aspirations. Indeed, by the time he left the 
     Georgia Senate in 1989, he had gained enough influence to 
     make his mark as a reliable legislative advocate for 
     Atlanta's black mayors. He was known as a policy wonk and a 
     nice guy, traits that would mark his service as director of 
     the Peace Corps under President George Bush. He worked hard 
     in that position to promote a program that is unpopular with 
     many Republicans because of its identification with President 
     John F. Kennedy.
       A similar earnestness would mark Mr. Coverdell's career in 
     the United States Senate, but he did not get there by wearing 
     a halo or emphasizing his credentials as a moderate. He won 
     his seat from Wyche Fowler, a Democrat popular with liberals, 
     by running to the right, especially on the abortion issue.
       It is, of course, always tricky to define political 
     moderation among Southern Republicans. By any measure, Mr. 
     Coverdell, a big booster of tax cuts and school vouchers, was 
     plenty conservative. Lately he had grown close to Trent Lott, 
     the Senate's tough-guy majority leader. But his primary 
     alliances were with less hard-edged types like President Bush 
     and his son George W. Bush, the Texas governor. He helped 
     plan the coming Republican Convention. In the event of a 
     Republican victory, according to Senator Max Cleland of 
     Georgia, a Democrat, Mr. Coverdell, ``would have played a big 
     role in a Bush administration, in the cabinet or as a special 
     adviser.'' But in a region that still tends to celebrate pols 
     who are loud and flashy, Mr. Coverdell will be remembered for 
     his general decency, his serious interest in good government 
     and his unlikely leap from the back benches of the Georgia 
     Capitol.
  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise today to remember our friend Paul 
Coverdell. The state of Georgia and the United States have lost a 
talented and dedicated statesman.
  Senator Coverdell's workmanlike approach to government was a breath 
of fresh air in today's atmosphere of glamour politics. He didn't 
aspire to be in the spotlight, but he fought tirelessly to spotlight 
the issues in which he believed. Whether you agreed with his position 
on those issues or not, you admired his style--his lack of pretense, 
willingness to complete tedious, but important tasks, and pleasant 
demeanor during a tough debate.
  His office was one floor above mine in the Russell Building and we 
often rode the subway together over to the Capitol. His easygoing 
nature always struck me as particularly Southern. We shared a love for 
that slow, gracious lifestyle of our home states and enjoyed working 
together when it served the similar needs of our constituents.
  Paul had a deep appreciation for the office of U.S. Senator having 
persevered in his quest for a Senate seat in 1992 despite a highly-
competitive race that featured two runoffs. For the next eight years, 
he never took the privilege of serving the people of Georgia or the 
nation lightly. We can all learn something from his example.
  Service was an evolving theme in Paul Coverdell's life, beginning 
with an overseas stint in the U.S. Army, later followed by almost two 
decades in the Georgia state Senate and a post in President Bush's 
administration as Director of the U.S. Peace Corps. He was well-
prepared when he arrived in the Senate chamber and used his experience 
to advance an aggressive legislative agenda. It was a pleasure to serve 
in the U.S. Senate with Paul Coverdell. He fought fairly, was gracious 
in victory and honorable in defeat.

[[Page S7310]]

  My sympathy goes out to his wife, Nancy, and other family members and 
to the people of Georgia.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the senior 
Senator from Georgia, Paul Coverdell, who passed away Tuesday in 
Atlanta.
  While Senator Coverdell and I came from different political parties 
and ideologies, we shared several things in common. We both served our 
country in the U.S. Army, and after our service we both returned home 
to run successful businesses.
  With our military and business background we decided to turn our 
attention to serving the public, and Senator Coverdell had an 
impressive record of public service.
  Senator Coverdell served in the Georgia State Senate--rising to the 
position of minority leader. He then served as Director of the Peace 
Corps under President Bush, focusing on the critical task of serving 
the emerging democracies of post-Soviet Eastern Europe. In 1992, he was 
elected to serve in the United States Senate.
  Although we failed to agree on many issues before this body, Senator 
Coverdell always demonstrated honor and dignity in this Chamber. He 
argued seriously for the positions he believed in. When he pushed 
legislation to fight illegal drugs or promote volunteerism, it was 
obvious that his heart was always in it. And his motivation was sincere 
and simple--to help the people of Georgia and the Nation.
  I send my deepest sympathies to his wife Nancy, his parents, and the 
entire Coverdell family. I also extend my sympathy to the people of 
Georgia.
  We will all miss Senator Paul Coverdell of Georgia.
  Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I rise today to express my sympathy to 
the Coverdell family and my own sorrow at the death of Senator Paul 
Coverdell. May his family find solace in their memory of Paul's many 
contributions to a better Georgia, a better United States, and a better 
world. I followed Paul onto the Foreign Relations Committee and also 
into his chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. I will do my 
best to carry on your good work there, Paul.
  As many people have said, Paul Coverdell was a gifted communicator. 
To every organization those skills are valuable and especially here in 
Congress. Perhaps Paul learned those skills at the prestigious Missouri 
School of Journalism from which he graduated. But I suspect, despite 
having known him only a short time, that Paul's easy manner and obvious 
kindness were inherent traits. He was a natural communicator and we 
mourn his loss.
  Once again, my heartfelt sympathy to Nancy and all of Paul 
Coverdell's family and friends.
  Rest in peace.
  Ms. COLLINS. Senator Paul Coverdell was a rare and wonderful man--and 
a spectacular Senator. Anyone who had the good fortune to work with him 
left more hopeful, more committed, more convinced we could all make a 
difference.
  Much is being said about his extraordinary ability to get things 
done; I would like to talk about how he was able to accomplish so much. 
Senator Coverdell had many talents, but perhaps the secret to his 
success was high ability to bring people together. In times of 
friction, fractiousness, and pressure, he was always the one who 
remained focused and calm in the eye of the legislative storm.
  It was a common for him to hold meetings in his office where 
conservatives and moderates, strategists and ideologues, listened to 
each other, shared ideas and figured out not just ways of accomplishing 
diverse goals, but also what those goals really should be. And his 
energy and willingness to take on the most difficult task with little 
public recognition or thanks was legendary.
  Senator Coverdell was a man who listened. He listened to Senators and 
staff and policy experts. He listened to those he agreed with and those 
he didn't--and merged it all into a comprehensive, concise and workable 
plan. He respected all individuals with an honesty and sincerity that 
set the tone for working together.
  Most of all, and through it all, Senator Coverdell was kind and 
gracious in his dealings with everyone. The country, his state, and all 
of us who have been privileged to know him will miss him terribly. We 
join in praying for his family as they suffer his loss. We have all 
lost a very good friend.

                          ____________________