On the recordJuly 19, 2000
the State of Georgia and the United States of America lost a great, decent leader yesterday. Paul Coverdell was one of the quiet heroes of this Senate Chamber. He was not showy; he was not proud; he was not here for the credit or the prestige or the power. He was a gentle man in every sense of the word and in every aspect of his being. He was here because he loved his State and loved his Nation. He was here because he wanted to improve education. It was a profound concern of his. He was here because he wanted to end drug abuse and the scourge of drugs among young people. He was here because he wanted to protect our national security and secure our children's future and open America's promise to all of those he served. He fought for all these things with a humble dignity and a quiet passion that touched each one of us. In a way, Paul was the Senate peacemaker.
Source
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