[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15782]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   REMEMBERING SENATOR PAUL COVERDELL

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to join my colleagues in honoring 
the memory of our dear friend and colleague, Senator Paul Coverdell. My 
deepest condolences and prayers go out to Nancy, his family, staff, and 
the people of Georgia.
  Paul Coverdell's career in public service as a state senator in 
Georgia, as Director of the United States Peace Corps, and as a U.S. 
Senator stand as an enduring tribute to his fine character, many 
talents, and boundless energy and commitment for his work. They also 
serve to remind us how one individual, working quietly and 
resourcefully, can accomplish so much in an all too brief period of 
time.
  In his public life, Paul Coverdell was a vigorous and congenial 
advocate for initiatives and issues he cared deeply about and an 
effective leader in the Senate and for his party. While I did not have 
many opportunities to work closely with Senator Coverdell, we share a 
commitment to quality education for our Nation's young people and 
appreciation for the importance of agriculture to our respective 
States' economies. Peanut farmers and sugar growers are frequent allies 
when commodity issues came before the Senate, and Senator Coverdell was 
a strong voice for Georgia farmers and his State's agricultural 
interests. On educational initiatives, Paul Coverdell and I rarely 
agreed; but he was never disagreeable. I admired his passion and 
tenacity on education issues, and appreciated the courtesy and humanity 
that characterized his work here in the Senate.
  Paul Coverdell has left a mark for the better in the lives of 
millions of people, in America and around the world. He served his 
country and constituents conscientiously, earning our respect, 
admiration, and affection. We grieve for his passing from this life. I 
am reassured that we will find comfort in his splendid legacy of public 
service and the knowledge that death is a transition to life eternal 
and he is now with God. As we bid our dear friend and colleague one 
last fond farewell, I am reminded of the passage from Scriptures, from 
Matthew, 25:23:

       His Master said unto him, ``Well done, good and faithful 
     servant; you have been good and faithful over a few things, I 
     will make you ruler over many things. Now enter into the joy 
     of your Master.''

  May God bless Nancy, the Coverdell family and staff.
  Mr. President, I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.

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