[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15389]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   REMEMBERING SENATOR PAUL COVERDELL

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I learned shortly before Senator Lott came 
to the floor last night that Senator Coverdell had passed away. I felt 
it was in my best interest to leave at that time and not be present on 
the floor, as I usually am.
  It was unique, in that I am in the minority--Senator Coverdell was in 
the majority--that I got to know him as well as I did. I always knew 
that things were moving along and that we were going to get legislation 
completed when I would look over and Senator Coverdell had been called 
into the Chamber by Senator Lott to help move legislation.
  As I look back, I remember the bankruptcy legislation. We started out 
with a little over 300 amendments on that legislation. Everyone thought 
it was futile to even try to pass it, but, of course, Senator Coverdell 
came in and worked with me and the Senators on his side and my side, 
and we were able to get that legislation cleared and basically 
completed. That was the story for many, many different pieces of 
legislation.
  I got to know him. He was very calm and deliberate and extremely 
courteous and polite--a real gentleman. I think it speaks volumes to 
recognize that Senator Lott's No. 1 person he called on when there was 
trouble on the floor was Paul Coverdell. I think it speaks volumes to 
indicate that Governor Bush's No. 1 person in the Senate was Paul 
Coverdell.
  He was someone that the people of Georgia will miss, this country 
will miss, the Senate will miss. I personally will miss him.
  I have the honor of working on the minority side to help move 
legislation along. I personally will miss him. He was very, very good 
at being a legislator, in addition, obviously, to being such a good 
friend to everyone.
  I express my sympathy to Nancy and his staff. Speaking for the entire 
minority, we will miss a great legislator.

                          ____________________