Cord Byrd: “God hath not promised Skies always blue Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through; God hath not promised Sun without…”

“God hath not promised Skies always blue Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through; God hath not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain. But God hath promised Strength for the day, Rest for the laborer, And light on the way, Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy And undying love. Mr. President, I have quoted this bit of poetry because I am thinking of Mike Epstein, Senator Wellstone's long serving legislative director. Mike Epstein, I heard only yesterday, is gravely ill. I know that he is facing this news with the same gallant, noble, straightforward courage that has marked his entire life. I know because I employed him as a member of the Democratic Policy Committee staff when I was the majority leader of the Senate, and I have seen him in action. I have seen him at work many times. Mike is a man of lively humor, great heart, idealistic vision, and pragmatic understanding. Despite many years on Capitol Hill, he has never lost his sense of purpose in public service. He has never lost his desire to make the world a better place in which to live. At the same time, he has accumulated the political savvy and acumen to rapidly size up a piece of legislation, weigh its strengths and weigh its weaknesses, and then deliver a succinct analysis on the spot. He has been a fixture on the Democratic bench during debate on many bills. It seems it was only yesterday that I saw him back here on this bench.…”