WASHINGTON, July 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The
following was released today by the White House:

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

IN BILL SIGNINGS

IN HONOR OF SENATOR PAUL COVERDELL

The Indian Treaty Room

9:14 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Ours is a city here
full of memorials, full of symbols of America's
gratitude for service. And today we come together
to honor one such man, who dedicated his life to
service. A life who left us far too soon.

Nancy, welcome. I want to thank you and your
family members for being here. I want to thank
Trent and members of the United States Senate.
One reason he didn't ask you to speak he was afraid
you were going to go on too long, Phil. (Laughter.)
I appreciate Senator Miller. I thank the Georgia
delegation for coming, members of the Congress.
It's good to see the former Speaker; thank you for
being here, as well.

I appreciate John Ashcroft, the Attorney General,
for being here; and Elaine Chao, members of my
Cabinet. I'm so honored that members - - former
directors of the Peace Corps are here, including the
current Acting Director, Chuck Baquet. Thank you
for being here, as well.

I thank Michael Adams, the President of the
University of Georgia, for being here. And I want to
thank my Ambassador-designee to the Vatican, Jim
Nicholson, for being here, as well.

Paul Coverdell was a man of unusual abilities and
striking character. He spoke with candor when
others might hide the unpleasant truth. He was wise
and reasonable in a city that often lacks both
virtues. He was a man of principle who understood
our political system's essential need for
compromise. He was respected by both allies and
adversaries.

And the causes to which he dedicated himself drew
all his energy and thought and effort and
commitment. He understood every parent's hopes
for a quality education. So he pressed for tax-free
savings accounts for education expenses. Today, his
idea is law. And today, we rename those accounts
for him: The Coverdell Education Savings
Accounts.

He had a great heart and compassion for others,
and that could be seen in his imaginative and strong
leadership of the Peace Corps. As the Corps' first
post-Cold War director, he had a vision for a new
era, and the leadership to bring those dreams into
being.

So, today, in his honor, we rename the Peace Corps
headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Paul D.
Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters. And we also
renamed the Peace Corps World Wise School
Program, the Paul D. Coverdell World Wise
Schools Programs.

Paul was a champion of science and medical
research. Wherever Americans push the frontiers of
knowledge, they're advancing in the spirit of Paul
Coverdell. And so, I applaud Senator Miller for his
leadership in the decision to name the University of
Georgia's new health science building for Paul.

You know, Paul and Nancy were frequent visitors
to my folks' house in Maine. They were such good
friends that Mother got them to plant roses. She's a
pretty tough taskmaster. (Laughter.) You can
imagine old Paul out there digging away, Mother
yelling, "More dirt." (Laughter.) The hole would be
dug and Mother saying, "You put the rose bush in
there." At any rate, we get to now see the roses, and
we think of Paul. The flowers bloom only a short
time, but like the roots of those bushes, his memory
lasts a long time. And the fruits of his labors we will
see for a long time coming.

I've spoken today of honoring Paul. The truth is, he
honored us by his selfless service. We're lucky to
have known him.

It is now my honor to sign the bills honoring a
great man.

(The bills are signed.) (Applause.)

END 9:19 A.M. EDT