Athens, Ga. – In a dedication speech on Friday, former President George H.W. Bush said the Paul D. Coverdell Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences is a fitting memorial to a man who put partisan politics aside to improve the lives of Americans.

“The dedication of this biomedical and health science center is really a fitting tribute to this man who could bring people together for a common purpose,” Bush said. “Here scientists and students will come together to tackle some of the most pressing health-related challenges we face and come to push back the frontier of discovery and progress.”

Paul Coverdell served Georgia in the U.S. Senate from 1993 until his death in 2000. The $40 million, state-of-the-art facility that bears his name houses the research facilities of internationally recognized biomedical and health scientists exploring fields such as developmental biology, public health, health communication and tropical and emerging global diseases.

More than 1,000 students, faculty and invited guests attended the dedication ceremony on the lawn of the College of Veterinary Medicine, which sits directly across D.W. Brooks Drive from the Coverdell Center.

Gov. Sonny Perdue, himself a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine, emphasized how the new center plays a role in economic opportunity, one of the three pillars of freedom that the late senator said were vital to the greatness of America and its people.

“It will help Georgia remain a leading state of innovation as it attracts hundreds of millions of dollars into our economy and provides answers to some of the stickiest problems of our health and of mankind,” Perdue said. “Sen. Coverdell made meeting the needs and solving the problems of Georgians a priority of his life and of his career. This outstanding research center will stand as a fitting tribute to his life, work and to the Coverdell spirit.”

In the weeks following Coverdell’s death 2000, university officials began discussions with then-Senators Zell Miller of Georgia and Phil Gramm of Texas about an appropriate memorial that would reflect his interest in education and research. What is now the Coverdell Center grew out of those discussions.

“I wanted to build a memorial that would be alive, that would be used, that would be perpetually cared for,” Gramm, also a UGA alumnus, told the dedication attendees. “And I believe we have done it.”

The center includes four memorial areas in tribute to the Senator: The entrance lobby of the 135,000 square-foot-facility features four inscribed quotes; the central lobby includes a biographical display and portrait; the rear lobby features a bronze casting of the seal of the United States Senate; and a memorial garden in the rear of the building includes some his favorite plants and a Georgia oak symbolizes his life of service.

“He truly was a man who lived by the mantra that it is amazing what can be accomplished when no one is concerned with who gets the credit,” UGA President Michael F. Adams said. “He deserves this recognition, I believe, and for me and for UGA, we’re honored to be part of this special dedication ceremony.”

Bush emphasized Coverdell’s compassion, calling him “a gentle soul, a leader of conviction.”

“Paul was more than a distinguished public servant that ennobled the concept of politics by his innate decency,” Bush said. “More importantly, he was someone that my family was proud to consider a very close, personal friend.”

And then before leaving the stage to a standing ovation and cheers, the former President simply said, “Thank you for honoring one of God’s special people.” 

##

Note to editors: Additional resources are available at the following links: