John Barrasso: “I thank the minority leader, the assistant majority leader, and Wyoming's senior Senator for taking the time to remember…”

“I thank the minority leader, the assistant majority leader, and Wyoming's senior Senator for taking the time to remember a departed friend and an esteemed colleague. Wyoming's U.S. Senator Craig Thomas passed peacefully June 4, 2007, 1 year ago this week. Craig was surrounded, as always, by his devoted wife Susan, by his family, and by close friends. Wyoming has lost a great man. We have lost many great men and women over the years, but Craig Thomas leaves behind a legacy equal to all of them. Yet Craig would be the first one to question that praise. Craig would say he was a common man, a typical cowboy who wanted simply to work hard and make a difference for the people of the place he loved. One year later, it is appropriate and right that we remember him again in the Senate and also in our own lives. Many of my colleagues joined us in my hometown of Casper, WY, to mourn Craig's passing. The words and presence of Senator Reid and Senator McConnell were especially meaningful to the people of Wyoming. President Bush and Vice President Cheney each extolled Craig's character and devotion to the Wyoming people and Wyoming places. But perhaps more to what Craig really meant to the people was the exceptional outpouring of very personal remembrances that followed his passing.”