LETTERS: GEOGIA CONGRESSMAN'S TRIBUTE TO BILL EMERSON

To the editor:

I want to thank the people of Cape Girardeau and the 8th Congressional District of Missouri for sharing Bill Emerson with your country for the past 16 years and with me for the past 18 months.

My home is in rural south Georgia, an area much like many of the communities of the 8th District of Missouri. When I came to Congress in January 1995, I sought out Emerson because of his position on the House Agriculture Committee and my desire to serve on that committee. Bill's love for his God, his family, his country and the people of his district was very evident on that first meeting. In the many subsequent conversations I had will Bill, he expressed his love for the people who had given him the opportunity to serve in Congress, and he continually reminded me that public service means serving all the constituents of your district and always being available to all of those constituents. That philosophy is not understood by all who serve in Congress.

Bill was a great inspiration to me during the 1996 Farm Bill discussions, and I was very proud to stand side by side with him and the other members of the Gang of Four when we resisted the sometimes intense pressure from our leadership and held firm to our convictions and the interests of the people who elected us.

Bill represented decency, honesty and integrity in your federal government. He stood firm for the things that are right about this country. He was truly a role model for members of Congress.

The love of the people of Cape Girardeau was very evident at Bill's funeral. Bill often said he represented the very heart and soul of America, and, after being in Cape Girardeau for the funeral, I agree.

Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to serve with a great American and a great friend.

REP. SAXBY CHAMBLISS

8th District, Georgia

House of Representatives

Washington, D.C.