[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S16089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING REPRESENTATIVE BILL EMERSON

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I want to take a moment this morning to 
honor a dear friend of mine and a former colleague in the other 
Chamber, the late Congressman Bill Emerson of Missouri. On December 13, 
a new bridge spanning the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau in 
Missouri is being dedicated to Bill who represented the people of 
southern Missouri in the House of Representatives with dedication and 
integrity for 15 years before his untimely death in 1996.
  I was privileged to meet, know, and work with Bill Emerson during my 
freshman year in Congress. He was an example of hard work, common 
sense, and the ability to put differences aside to get the job done. 
Bill and I shared a common constituency of rural Americans and served 
on the House Agriculture Committee together. Bill's spirit of 
uncompromising principle and his ability to lead under the most 
difficult circumstances are assets that I have endeavored to emulate.
  Bill's commitment to his family was unparalleled. His wife Jo Ann 
succeeded him in his congressional seat, and he would be so proud of 
her today for the work she is doing. His daughters, Abby, Liz, Tory, 
and Katharine, were the lights of his life. I have come to know all 
four of them over the years, and he would, again, be so proud of them.
  Jo Ann has carried on Bill's legacy of building bridges between 
people to promote communication, trade, and civic pride and is making a 
mark in her own right. This is something which I know would have 
brought Bill a great deal of satisfaction.
  Bill Emerson's habit of bridging gaps between people is captured 
perfectly in the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. This $120 million 
structure replaces the bridge that was built 76 years ago. It will tie 
together the two States of Missouri and Illinois and promote trade and 
progress. It is a fitting monument to a man who brought credit to his 
family, his community, his State, his country, and the Congress of the 
United States.
  Bill Emerson was a dear friend. I miss him every day. What a fitting 
tribute to a great man and a great American.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Voinovich). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, is the Senate still in morning business with 
a 10-minute limitation?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Smith). The Senator is correct.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may speak as 
long as I must speak. I can assure the Chair it will not be over 30 
minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator from West Virginia is recognized for 30 minutes.
  Mr. BYRD. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Byrd pertaining to the introduction of S. 1997 
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. BYRD. I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cornyn). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________