Tony Hall: “my friend died on Saturday. Bill Emerson and I knew each other for many years, traveled together, supported one another…”

“my friend died on Saturday. Bill Emerson and I knew each other for many years, traveled together, supported one another in our endeavors in Congress--especially in humanitarian work. We served the Congressional Hunger Center as cochairmen, and Bill's support during my fast--and during the startup of this nonprofit organization--made a very real, very personal difference to me. We got to know each other's families, and my family already feel the loss of our good friend. And we all extend our deepest sympathy to his family: to Bill's mother, Marie Hahn; to Bill's wife, Jo Ann; and to their daughters--Elizabeth, Abigail, Victoria, and Katherine. In the Washington Post this weekend, David Broder wrote that ``the companionship that once crossed party lines in Congress * * * has been replaced by a tone of unremitting enmity.'' That was never true with Bill Emerson. He nurtured his relationships with both Democrats and Republicans alike. Mr. Broder was right in lamenting a political climate that too often is hostile. ``It is the personal relationships that determine how much the group will get done,'' he said--and he is right. But people like Bill Emerson showed us all that we can work together to make a difference for the people who send us to Washington--and especially for children. My friend was a decent, wonderful man. He will be missed by many of us, and I will never forget him.”