It is impossible to put into words how much Jim Sasser meant to me and my family. He was a man of outstanding character and conviction, a great United States Senator and later an outstanding diplomat in the truest sense of the word. Throughout his career in public service, Jim represented the best of Tennessee and the best of America. He was an effective leader not simply because he spoke clearly and persuasively about the initiatives he believed in, but also because he listened intently to the concerns, hopes, and aspirations of his constituents and colleagues. I will forever be grateful for his mentorship and for his efforts on behalf of our country. My heart goes out to Mary, Gray, Elizabeth, and the entire Sasser family.