The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“IN HONOR OF MR. BILL SIMPSON, JR.” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S179-S180 on Jan. 22, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN HONOR OF MR. BILL SIMPSON, JR.
Mr. KOHL. Madam President, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Bill Simpson. The following speeches, ``The Celebration of the Life and Times of Bill Simpson'' and ``Bill's Table,'' were originally delivered after the occasion of Bill Simpson's burial at Arlington National Cemetery by Mr. Bill Simpson III and David Lambert, respectively. I ask consent the speeches be printed in the Record.
The material follows:
The Celebration of the Life and Times of Bill Simpson
Thank you for being here today. Our family takes great comfort in your support and kindness through these trying times. We are eternally grateful.
Today, I would like to acknowledge the Veteran's Medical Center in Washington, DC. The staff in this great hospice and nursing home provided excellent care to my father, while preserving his dignity in the last days of his life. The patient care staff are angels on earth. They are truly engaged in a labor of love, and that means so much to families who have loved ones under their care.
I must also acknowledge the most supportive, faithful and loyal person in our father's life. Our mother, Evelyn, never wavered, not even for a single day.
In honor of my father, the Simpson family has established
``The William Simpson Veteran's Assistance Account'' to provide some needed purchases to enhance the lives of those old warriors in their last days on this earth. Donations are appreciated, not only by my family, but also by the veterans and their families.
We have also begun to compile some of my father's favorite stories. We have catalogued hundreds of his speeches that were written while serving with the late former Governor Paul B. Johnson of Mississippi, the late Senator James Eastland, former President Jimmy Carter and others when he returned to the private sector. My father loved the power and influence of language and words and it is reflected in his writings and stories.
If you have a story from my father's life that you would like to share--or one that we haven't heard--and there are millions, please send them to us. We want to share these stories with his friends and family.
This event is being held here at the ``116 Club,'' which is appropriate for many reasons. A celebration of the life and times of William Simpson would be incomplete without the 116 Club. This place was his home away from home. It was where he was comfortable. Here he was surrounded by people he truly loved. The people in this room carried him throughout his life. He loved this place. Here were people he truly admired--always sharing good stories and, of course, good food! Once again, we are grateful for your presence here today. It is such a moving testament to my father and we thank you.
My father was my closest and most faithful friend. My sister Ellen and I were extremely fortunate, in these times when people thirst for a hero and role model, we didn't have to look very far. We just looked to my father. He was a great father, not only to my sister and me, but as a leader and mentor for so many people--many who are here today.
My father was one of the most genuinely modest people that I have ever known. He never stood above people. He never forgot where he came from, and he never forgot or lost sight of his mission to serve--to serve others unselfishly. From his early days in the family seafood factory in Gulfport, Mississippi, he rose to work for the President of the United States, but he never lost his touch with his common roots.
My father was a faithful and loyal husband for over 56 years to our mother, Evelyn. Faithful and loyal are words used most to describe him. It is fitting that he was laid to rest in the hallowed ground at Arlington National Cemetery, surrounded by veterans who have faithfully served this country. Our father took the oath of service to the United States of America to heart--it set the course for the rest of his life. Being ``faithful and loyal'' were not mere commodities to be used when it was popular, and then to be cast aside or compromised when it became a burden. These ideals were at the core of the fabric that represented the character of our father. He was ``faithful and loyal'' all his life--when he wore his uniform, when he served Governor Johnson, Senator Eastland, President Carter and his beloved home state of Mississippi and most importantly his family and friends.
He would tell me a story many times over in my life and he would say, ``Bill, some of our friends die, and I wish we could do something about it, but we can't, that's life, but what we can control in this life is how you treat your friends. You never quit your friends, even if they lose an election, or are in trouble, or are in need. That's when you need to be there.''
For many of us here, he was our Atticus Finch, our backstop, always there with support and counsel, never having to look over your shoulder, because you knew he was there. My father was a man of character and courage. A great author once said ``courage is grace under pressure.'' If that is the case, this man was filed with grace.
In the tough times in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Era, my father provided sound, courageous leadership. I know that he prevented bloodshed across the state. He was color-blind when it wasn't popular to be so. I attribute this to his strong faith and love for humanity.
Money, fame and power meant nothing to him. He understood the proper use of power to help people, not for self-interest, but as a tool for service; especially for the under-represented. He would captivate crowds with his words and passion. He was gracious, kind, and gentle. He always kept a low profile, while maintaining unshakeable integrity. He was in every sense an American treasure.
As Senator Kennedy stated last week on the floor of the Senate, ``Seeing him so often reminded me of those happy times when the Senate was full of friendships and goodwill in spite of huge disagreements on the issues. I know the beautiful memories of his long and productive life will last forever.''
We also received a note form Hiram Eastland who told his story better than I can--``What a wonderful life and wealth of friends he had. He deeply touched and brought joy and inspiration to the lives of many people . . . a legendary bedrock character with spirit and good humor . . . keen on Mississippi and Washington insight and stories that will live on in our memories. No man ever loved his family or his state or country more, and no man ever understood, enjoyed, or knew better how to engage and practice the art of politics for the public good than Bill Simpson''.
As we say goodbye to this fine and decent man, let us take comfort in his accomplishments and most importantly remember the impact he had on our lives.
In closing, I would like to use one of my father's favorite quotes that I think really defined his character--
The thoughts of others were light and fleeting.Of lover's meeting or luck or fame.Mine were of trouble and mine were steady.So I was ready when trouble came.
My Father was ready.Thank you.
lBill Simpson, III, January 12, 2004.
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Bill's Table
When we gathered at Bill's table we knew from that twinkle and grin that we were wrapped warm in his welcome. We knew that friendship mattered most, and that our politics could be checked at the door. We knew our day was about to get better because we were going to spend an hour with someone very special. We all knew we were about to be enriched--kindred spirits listening and laughing and learning with Bill.
Yes, we listened, we laughed, and we learned. He told us of Governors and sheriffs, of gamblers and rebels, of saints and scoundrels, of Committee Chairmen and of Chairman's Representatives. We heard about politics and politicians and public servants. We learned about Bay of St. Louis and Gulfport and Pass Christian, and, oh, yes, about the wrath of the terrible Camille; he talked of the Mighty River--its mischief and its majesty. Bill shared stories of his Pacific comrades--heroes who saved the world in an Ocean half a world away; of the Chepachet and her amphibious campaigns; of battles and of brave men.
He spoke with quiet admiration of those who defined who he was--his family most of all, but also of a Governor named Johnson, of a Senator named Eastland, and of a President named Carter. We heard about the Old South and the New South--this Son of Mississippi had a big hand in both. He talked of striving to build bridges, of civil rights; of justice and of the Department of Justice; of compassion and of reconciliation; of understanding and of progress.
But those were all words, and the essence of Bill was not what he said, but who he was. Much more important than his words were what we learned from Bill--and in the spirit of his own lively metaphors the images of his life lessons for us will keep coming back.
We learned from Bill that character could be as strong and deep-rooted as his State's live oaks, and that friendships should be as durable and as sweet as an aged bourbon. We learned that trust should be as strong as the Great River levees his generation helped build, and that the embrace of a friend could be as warm as a Delta summer.
We learned that loyalty could be as fierce as a Gulf storm, and personal presence as gentle as a family prayer. My own prayer now is that my sons will always have a Bill Simpson in their lives.
We thought Bill always would be at his table. Well, take heart. He is still there, and he will be, next month--and next year. There will be no new stories--only those we know by heart--at least 116 of them. And in time they will become richer--as will we--because we had a place at Bill's table.
David Lambert, January 12, 2004
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