[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15849]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   REMEMBERING SENATOR PAUL COVERDELL

  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I appreciate the opportunity to take a few 
moments to reflect on some things you said and also on what the 
majority leader said a little while ago.
  After our colleague Paul Coverdell died, I made a very brief 
statement on the floor. I knew I should speak briefly because it would 
be difficult to talk very long about Paul without becoming too 
emotional.
  I think at a time when politics generally and politicians 
specifically are the subject of a lot of humor--they are denigrated 
because of cynicism about the political process, and in fact in some 
cases the denigration of some politicians is probably warranted--it is 
important for the American people to be reassured that there are some 
extraordinarily fine public servants who toil very hard on their behalf 
and who are responsible for whatever good comes out of these 
institutions--the House and the Senate.
  Paul Coverdell was such a man. All of us who have spoken about him 
have shared with our colleagues and with the American people the same 
general notion that it is amazing what you can do if you are willing to 
let others take the credit for it. That was Paul Coverdell--self-
effacing, very hard working, totally trustworthy and honest. Everyone 
could rely upon him to do the things that had to be done without fear 
he would in any way attempt to take advantage of any situation. He was 
as solid as a rock and a very important part of this institution--
someone who really helped to make it run, and run in a good way.
  I am sure my constituents in Arizona for the most part are unaware of 
Senator Coverdell, but they and others all around this country need to 
know how sorely he will be missed--not only personally but 
professionally--and how important a contribution he made to this 
country. There are truly some wonderful public servants, and Paul 
Coverdell was one of the best.

                          ____________________