my predecessor, saturn or -- senator frank carlsen, told us that you are controversial. but everybody loves pat. the outpouring of affection and admiration across america and around the world over the past few days as underscore the truth of these words. everybody did love nixon. for grace, grip, heart, steadfastness to her family, they loved her because they knew she cared. as most people here know, washington, d.c. is a time where monuments are told in the egos are even taller. every once in a while, there comes along a rare spirit like pat nixon who reminds us that compassion need not be legislated, it need only be felt. and expressed by hugging a child. comforting a victim of a natural disaster. or personally answering a letter from one of the people who turned to 1600 pencil avenue -- pennsylvania avenue would all other avenues are close. pat nixon was a gender -- as genuine as though she insisted signing on her letters. she was stand and receiving line for hours. connected to infection and could be countered by antiseptics the smithsonian associates hosted this eve