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OpinionJune 30, 1996

To the editor: It has been said that you never really know what you have until you lose it. As I attended Congressman Bill Emerson's funeral, I felt the sting of his passing. I felt the sting of a great loss. As those wept for the man who cared so much for others, I realized that a man of strong convictions will be deeply missed. ...

Julia A. Kridelbaugh

To the editor:

It has been said that you never really know what you have until you lose it. As I attended Congressman Bill Emerson's funeral, I felt the sting of his passing. I felt the sting of a great loss.

As those wept for the man who cared so much for others, I realized that a man of strong convictions will be deeply missed. He was a man who truly cared about life. He was not only committed to feeding the hungry, he was committed heart and soul to the preservation of life. I rarely saw the congressman in full dress suit without a tiny, gold pin on his lapel. The pin depicted the feet of a 10-week-old unborn baby. I would often hear him make apologies for not wearing the pin, admitting he had forgotten and left the pin on another suit.

The symbol he wore was not there to please certain constituents. Congressman Emerson was a stalwart in the fight to protect the lives of the born and the unborn. His conviction was not a political issue for him. I believe he felt a respect for life deep in his heart.

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It is too late to tell him just exactly what he meant to those who shared his values. It saddens me to know that I will not be able to look into his eyes and firmly shake his hand to say, "Thank you, Bill Emerson, for all you have done for life." As I left the service, I felt I had to let go of these regrets and silently say, "Thank you, Bill."

Congressman Bill Emerson, statesman and friend, will be deeply missed by all of us, for in some way he has touched all of us. Thank you, Bill. Rest in peace.

JULIA A. KRIDELBAUGH

Cape Girardeau

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