Impeachment Clerk Is Killed; Remembered as Senate ‘Fixture’
The Senate impeachment trial began Saturday with prayers and words of remembrance for Raymond Scott Bates, a legislative clerk killed by a driver Friday night.
Bates, 50, was known for his deep-voiced intonation of the roll call during the impeachment trial.
“Senators come and senators go, but Scott has been a fixture in this Senate for the last 30 years,” said Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
Senators stood for a moment of silence. Bates’ seat below that of U.S. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist was empty except for a black ribbon tied across it and flowers on the desk.
Bates and his wife, Ricki Ellison Bates, were hit while crossing a highway in Arlington, Va., Friday evening. Mrs. Bates was listed in critical condition.
The driver, who was not identified, had non-life-threatening injuries. Police are investigating the accident.
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