in 1999 georgia senator paul coverdell passed away in office and then-govepbor barnes appointed zell to fill the vacant seat and he came to washington. he was a leader who never chose ideology over his duty to the people who elected him. our prayers are focused on his loved ones and the millions he served. he showed an example as a true minnesota of the mountains that he was willing to take stands many times no popular but he was always willing to take a stand for those not popular. he will be missed whether in atlanta, earneds, all across this country or basically back home in the ninth district of georgia. zell miller is someone we can all look up to and respect he feel led in a way that we can strive to lead as well. mr. speaker, i today rise to recognize the 70th anniversary they have united states air force reserves, created by president truman on april 14, 1948. as a member of the air force reserve, i have been privileged to minister and work with airmen since twoosm i can attest to the courage existed by my fellow airmen here at home and abroad in iraq together. citizens have

when paul coverdell died, roy barnes called zell and said i need you to go to washington and cover for me. we need to make sure a democrat is in that place to replace paul. i wasn't involved in the conversation because i was hoping they were going to call me up, which i'll get to in a minute. they did later but they hadn't at that time. they decided, roy said you've got to do it for me, governor miller. you've got to make sure georgia stays democratic. georgia said i'm going to accept this to fill paul's seat but i'm going to vote like coverdell. he knew the conservative movement had taken the state and was moving in that direction. zell was a man of conscience and principal who recognized the importance of the united states senate seat but recognized more the wishes of the voters. he told roy barnes, me and everybody in the state, i'm going to take it, but i'm going to vote like paul coverdell. when that four years was up, finishing that term with paul coverdell, zell miller decided not to run again. in fact, he held -- i was in the united states house at that time and he held a press