Scott Fitzgerald: “I rise today to deliver some remarks upon the death of our beloved colleague, Paul Coverdell. It is no exaggeration to…”

“I rise today to deliver some remarks upon the death of our beloved colleague, Paul Coverdell. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole Senate is in a state of shock that we no longer have Paul with us. Just last week, Senator Coverdell was among us on the Senate floor debating legislation, visiting with us in the Cloakroom, speaking up in our weekly Republican conference. And now, only a short period later, he is no longer with us. To my knowledge, Paul never seemed to have had any health problems. He certainly seemed fine last week. My last remembrance of him is just how happy he was when we adjourned on Friday afternoon after we passed that landmark legislation repealing the death tax. I guess the fact that Paul is no longer with us reminds us all that we need to keep life in perspective. I first met Senator Coverdell when I was first campaigning for the Senate 2 or 3 years ago. From that first time I met him, I came away with a very powerful impression that he was a most sincere and decent and friendly person. In all my dealings with him in my year and a half in the Senate, that impression never changed. Paul was always in a good, cheerful mood. He was always positive and upbeat. I never once saw him raise his voice or get angry at anybody. He was unfailingly polite and courteous at all times and to everyone. He was the quintessential southern gentleman and a delight to know.”