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[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 66 (Monday, April 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5613-S5614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                        TRIBUTE TO GINGER ADAMS

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today I rise to mourn the death 
and celebrate the life of Ms. Ginger Adams, whose life was cut 
tragically short at 20 after an automobile accident in western 
Kentucky.
  Ginger Adams of Murray, KY, was an inspiration to all those who knew 
her. An honor student at Murray State University, Ms. Adams was also a 
popular campus leader and accomplished athlete.
  Her love of athletics led her to join the nationally recognized 
Murray State cheerleading squad. Late last month, the squad accompanied 
the school's basketball team to its appearance in the NCAA Tournament 
in Tallahassee, FL. Returning home from the game, the van carrying 
Ginger and 12 other cheerleaders overturned on the highway injuring all 
aboard and, tragically, taking Ginger's life after a 2-week struggle in 
a Nashville hospital.
  In his touching eulogy, Murray State University President Kern 
Alexander said of Ginger, ``We know she was a grand achiever and 
student leader, cheerleader, superb athlete and outstanding student, 
but the supreme 
[[Page S5614]] measure is not in those accomplishments. The measure of 
her life is in the great wealth of love and affection that was 
engendered in all she touched.''
  Mr. President, please join me in extending our heartfelt sympathy and 
prayers to Ginger's parents, Hank and Joanna Adams, and to all those 
whose lives she touched. She will be missed very, very much.
  Mr. President, I ask that Dr. Alexander's eulogy be printed in the 
Record.
  The eulogy follows:
  Eulogy of Ginger Adams, Delivered by Dr. Kern Alexander, President, 
                        Murray State University

       Ginger was given only 20 years, but her brief years were no 
     measure of the importance of her life. She accomplished more 
     in those few years than most persons achieve in 80. We know 
     she was a grand achiever, student leader, cheerleader, superb 
     athlete, outstanding student, but the supreme measure is not 
     in those accomplishments, but rather the measure of her life 
     is in the great wealth of love and affection that was 
     engendered in all she touched; fellow students, sorority 
     sisters, neighbors, her University, and her community.
       Sir Christopher Wren, the architect who rebuilt London 
     after the great fire, died. In his remembrance it was said, 
     ``For his monuments look ye around.'' For Ginger's 
     accomplishments ``look ye around.'' Look at all those of you 
     here today who cherish and love her. This love and devotion 
     to Ginger are her monuments and these are the monuments that 
     are most enduring.
       This outpouring here today of so many in this solemn 
     ceremony is the ultimate measure of one's achievements on 
     this earth. Here, they are Ginger's in abundance.
       When death allies itself with youth and beauty it is the 
     most difficult for us to understand.
       When the most beautiful and radiant among us dies, we are 
     all the more profoundly stricken with grief and wonderment as 
     to its reasons and purposes.
       When beauty dies our own limitations and frailties as human 
     beings become more obvious and less comprehensible.
       This week we lost the most beautiful and talented among us 
     and none of us can understand. Consolation can only come in 
     prayer to those who love Ginger, the prayer that:
       ``The Lord God will wipe away the tears and will swallow up 
     death in final victory.''
       It helps us in our own poverty of comprehension if we know 
     that life and death are not absolutes, but merely transition 
     of the human soul. This we know in our faith and trust in 
     God.
       Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help Ginger's mother 
     and father, JoAnna and Hafford, and her brothers, in this 
     time of great sorrow. Help them in this moment of 
     overpowering grief.
       O God, we give back to you those whom You gave us. You did 
     not lose Ginger when You gave her to us, and we do not lose 
     her by her return to You. Your dear Son has taught us that 
     life is eternal and love cannot die. So death is only an 
     horizon, and an horizon is only the limit of our sight. Open 
     our eyes to see more clearly, and draw us closer to You that 
     we may know that we are nearer to our loved ones, who are 
     with You. You have told us that You are preparing a place for 
     us. Prepare us also for that happy place, that where You are 
     we may be always.
       O Lord, You have made us very small, and we bring our years 
     to an end like a tale that is told. Help us to remember that 
     beyond our brief day is the eternity of Your Love. Amen.
       God bless Ginger and her family.
       

                          ____________________
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