When I returned from my vacation, I found this letter in my files. It was dated July 13, 2000.

Dear James,

Thank you for your thoughtful message. Your warm words of encouragement are deeply appreciated. The people of Georgia have afforded me a great honor, and I am grateful for the privilege to serve them.

Sincerely,

Paul D. Coverdell

United States Senator

P. S. Thanks so much for your prayers. They are needed and appreciated.

That letter was dated on Thursday. Senator Coverdell complained of a terrible headache on Friday; was taken to the hospital on Saturday; operated on Monday; and was dead on Tuesday.

This past week, for the first time in history, after twenty-four years of a perfect record, the safest plane in aviation history joined the ranks of all other planes, when the Con…