Political Quotes

“The picture before you here is the Honorable William ``Bill'' Black, who I served with in the State legislature. He passed on September 9, and I wrote these words September 9 when I learned God had called him home. He was a close friend and a mentor. William ``Bill'' Black. You, my friend, could teach the unteachable because you were truly a teacher. You always did it with respect. You were a great orator. You could deliver the message that you wanted and needed to convey that everyone who was listening could understand, whether you were the most educated scholar or just an average person from the street. In your own words, you would always put the cabbage down where the hogs could eat it. You did it through a story of life experience or a story of someone else's life experience. You used your ability to communicate to benefit your students, your constituents, and your colleagues to make your community, your State, and your country a better place. As a legislator, you knew and understood that every word, dot, and comma was important and would have an effect on generations to come. Because of this, you stood boldly in the gap of what is political gamesmanship and true statesmanship. Thank you for being the statesman that you were. Your tutelage, your ability to deliver your message through communication, and your understanding of the legislative process has made your community, your State, this country, and me a better person because of who you were.…”