Andrea Joy Campbell: “I would like to address the terrible loss the Senate suffered yesterday, when Paul Coverdell left this Earth. I was…”

“I would like to address the terrible loss the Senate suffered yesterday, when Paul Coverdell left this Earth. I was truly shocked by the news. Just last week, Paul was on the floor of the Senate, working in his quiet and non-assuming way. Yesterday, I was writing him a get-well card. Today, he is gone. Paul was a dedicated public servant. He served the state of Georgia and this nation in the Army, the legislature, as a businessman, as the head of the Peace Corps and in the U.S. Senate. The respect he had earned from his colleagues here is evident in his appointment to numerous task forces and his election to a leadership position. His passing is a major loss to this body and this great country. Since I am also from a state where agriculture is an important part of the economy, Paul was a valuable ally in ensuring the family farms do not disappear. I also admired his work to keep our children safe from drugs and crime, a priority he and I shared. Paul represented the best of America: a belief that people flourish when they have the freedom to work and make their own decisions. Paul will truly be missed. He stood out in the Senate for the simple reason that he never drew attention to himself. In a business where egos can run rampant, Paul did not display one. He preferred to get things done. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nancy, and their family. They have some tough days ahead of them.”