Cord Byrd: “today I speak in memory of Raymond Scott Bates, one of the dear members of our own Senate family who recently departed…”

“today I speak in memory of Raymond Scott Bates, one of the dear members of our own Senate family who recently departed this life. Let Fate do her worst, there are relics of joy, Bright dreams of the past, which she cannot destroy; Which come, in the night-time of sorrow and care, And bring back the features that joy used to wear. Long, long be my heart with such memories filled, Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled, You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will, But the scent of the roses will hang round it still. These words, written by Thomas Moore, are so fitting this afternoon, as I, in my limited and feeble way, attempt to pay honor and tribute to the life of Scott Bates, a man whom we all admired and respected, and who was taken from our midst, virtually in the twinkle of an eye, and without warning. It was on the evening of February 5 that the pallid messenger beckoned Scott to depart this life.…”