As our Carl Albert dinner nears, I find myself reflecting on the role he played in my life. As a McAlester native, he was an inspiration to me from the time I was in grade school. In fact it was Mr. Albert that encouraged me to run for public office. Later he would be the first contributor to my Congressional campaign. Those of us who knew him have a duty to tell those who were not as fortunate the true scope of his brilliant intellect, his compassion for the less fortunate, and the depth of his love for our great state and our country. If you see me get a little misty-eyed at the dinner, that is the reason why...all the best, Ben