Washington  -  To everyone gathered at the dedication of the Bill Wright Gymnasium,

I am so sorry I cannot be with you today to celebrate the dedication of this gym for a dear friend of the Emerson Family, Bill Wright.  Bill was a man who put the community – along with his family and his country – first in his heart.  He was always there to lend a hand whenever Bill Emerson or I needed advice or guidance.  Whenever we came to Doniphan, Bill Wright welcomed us, just as he did so many others.

 

So it is only appropriate that this building, named for him, will be a place for us to gather.  We will remember him when we come together as a community, united by our common interests, beliefs, and backgrounds.  That is how Bill knew all of us, through what we have in common.  And today, we honor Bill because one of the things we had in common was our love, respect, and friendship with him.

 

Among the many things we will do as a community in this building are attend sports events and hold large programs.  And in the proud tradition of Doniphan and Southern Missouri, all of those activities will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.  So today, in Washington, D.C., above the Capitol building of our nation, an American flag is flying for Bill at my request.  When it is taken down, I will have it sent to Doniphan so that same flag will be present in the school, to remember him by, because Bill was most of all a patriot.

 

Bill showed his love for our nation by working to improve our community.  If I know Bill, he wouldn’t want all of the uproar and ceremony around this event today.  But, at the same time, he is looking down on the day’s events, and he is proud to see us all here together.  This is what he wanted: us at our best – linked and strong.  God bless him.  God bless you all, and God bless America.