My former congressman - and a role model to me - just passed away.

[salin]

Congressman Frank McCloskey, of Indiana, just left us.

Shortly out of law school he ran for Mayor of Bloomington, Indiana... and won. Early in his Mayorship he gender-integrated the police and fire forces to much initial resistance. When the wives of patrolmen started complaining to the city about their husbands 'riding' with the one woman cop - his response to ... what do we do? was... hire more women. No calculation of political risk. It was what needed to be done and he did it.

After serving our city for nearly 12 years - he moved on to Congress. He was never supposed to be elected. A liberal democrat from that college town (sometimes refered to as "The Peoples Republic Of Bloomington" - though in truth compared to other liberal cities - this city is nowhere on the radar screen). He won, in part to his republican opponents DUI accident towards the end of the campaign. The next race was one of the most controversial in modern times in Congress. He won by four votes. Recount. Still won by less than ten votes. By the constitution the House settles disputed elections if it choses. The republicans tried to take a vote on a day when most congressfolks were in transit back to districts (fridays) - but were stimied. The dem.s responded by voting to seat Frank (this was months after the controversial 1984 election) - and the republicans walked out. The next several elections were close but not contested - until the Gingrich sweep of 1994.

Frank fought for many causes. His last major effort required leaving a safe law practice to go to Kosovo - where he would work with local communities to build the capacity of citizens to assert themselves in the democratic process. He was going to work to build democracy - not in the silly way of this administration (go bomb them - then bring in a guy wanted for fraud in Jorden - who hasn't lived in the country for 30 years - and make him the top guy in the country.) He was to work with citizens - to make Democracy work from the ground up.

Sadly, shortly after he arrived in Kosovo just over a year ago, he started having health problems. He returned to the US for a checkup, where serious cancer (intenstinal, I believe) was found.

Frank is a personal role model, to me. He had a strong connection to my father, and in a way kept the ideal of working for the greater good, for the right reasons, alive even after my father passed.

Please join me in a prayer for his family - and for this community that has lost a great person, role model and leader.

[SOteric]

1. I'm so sorry, Salin.

I know this is a tremendous loss for you. :hug:

I'll remember you, his family and the community in my prayers.

[salin]

2. Thank you SOteric,

he was a student of my father. There is a personal connection and loss. I appreciate your prayers- as I am sure is true of his family and our community.

[cally]

3. We all lost a true patriot today

I didn't have a personal connection, but he was one of the politicians that I most admired. Even when I disagreed with him, I knew that he had voted with integrity. :grouphug: We need it when such a great human dies.

[salin]

9. It is an honor

that you even knew him, enough to disagree and to respect him. Thank you for your thoughts. He did work from integrity - even when at some 'political cost'. There is less and less of that present today, a second reason to mourn.

[roguevalley]

4. This is sad.

I remember when Tom McCall died. I felt bereft of a real lady.

[salin]

11. The losses of late

are very sad. We are losing an era of strong democratic leaders. It is encumbant upon us to help nurture the next generation.

[peekaloo]

5. I saw the story in LBN

and immediately thought about your recent post on his life and the effect it had on you. Sad news of his passing but thankfully he will live on through those he touched, including yourself.

Peace.

:hug:

[salin]

12. Thankyou

there were so few responses to that thread, I thought that few had read it. It is good to know that more had - and more prayers were sent to his family.

Thankfully he was able to leave the hospital and be back at home with family - and be in the peace that this brings.

I can only hope to help pass on the drive, integrity and work towards the common good that he set the bar for the rest of us to strive. And that others touched will do the same.

[Cleita]

6. So sorry Salin.

It's a sad thing when the good guys pass on.

[salin]

13. And too often it happens too early

Frank was in his early sixties. He had a whole lot more to give. The rest of us just need to take up the slack and follow the path that these people have paved for us.

[alwynsw]

7. My condolences

He was one of a few Hoosiers this blue bleeding KY boy could admire.

[salin]

14. given that he was tied to the heart of hoosier country

(bloomington) that means alot. Honestly that folks outside of our direct area knew and respected him, means a great deal.

[JohnKleeb]

8. Never heard of McCloskey but may he RIP

Thats nice you had a personal connection with him. I cant say the same really. But he seems like a great guy, and someone very liberal and for the well being of the nation.

[salin]

15. Thank you John,

may you find personal connections with some of the 'good guys' as you travel along in life. It allows us to keep some idealism and hope - even when the face of politics looks bleak and impossible. By the way - I have a sneaking suspicion that you just might be part of the next generation of people like Frank.

[JohnKleeb]

17. I have my heroes salin its just they arent like how Frank was for you

I wont be getting involved with politics when I am older actually, I plan to write, its my passion, I love it.

[salin]

18. but one never knows where a leads to b.

I have no intention of being in politics - but being connected to this man of integrity - helps keep me focus on a similar - but different integrity. These people give inspiration in terms of doing the right thing even when it is going against the grain.

Imagine that you have just hired the first policewoman EVER in the community. She is capable - but the entire community (even "progressives - it was an era where this was unheard of) is against it. In the face of direct conflict, instead of backing down, realizing that in the long term, the best thing to do was to hire more women (so more people come to realize - in the long term through direct interaction - that this is not only "okay", but actually a good thing.)

That is a brave, hard thing to do. It is the drive, integrity, and willing to risk the 'career' that touches us directly. We should all be so fortunate to have a multitude of such role models. Sadly this is not the case.

[JohnKleeb]

21. I know what you mean

RIP for your fallen hero.

[Misinformed01]

10. Condolences

from Michael and I...

It hurts to lose a role model, I know.

[salin]

16. thanks to you both

it hurts tremendously. I missed the LBN note - received an email from a friend - which was better. When he left the hospital last week there was some hope. Better to get the news from one who knows how important this person is - than from a cold ap (or whatever) story.

[salin]

19. LBN story:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=196726

[really-looney]

20. Speaker O'Neill called him 4 vote Frank

Congressman Frank McCloskey was a great Member of Congress and a great person. People like him made politics and life in general fun in Washington. He won the Bloody 8th for the Democrats, was a good Democrat and will be missed by me and many others.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. Condolences, Salin

The good ones are all too rare these days.

[Old and In the Way]

23. Bummer

He was a damn good Democrat. A good, righteous man.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. May his soul reincarnate quickly

we need more Frank and less bull...Sorry to hear this. I know this is sad for you.

My condolences to you and your mom and his family.

[Rowdyboy]

25. I remember him well...

He will be greatly missed...

[GOPisEvil]

26. You have my sincere condolences on your loss.

The whole world has suffered a loss, too. Thanks for sharing a small part of his life with us.

:grouphug:

[blm]

27. I remember him and his story quite well.

Sorry for your family's loss of a friend and a nation's loss of a man of service.

[Zomby Woof]

28. a true public servant

Thanks for reminding us such people really did make a difference, and may we encourage all the future McCloskeys out there that they too, can make a difference for the betterment of all.

Great tribute, salin.

[salin]

29. In honor of Frank - tomorrow : VOTE

All politics are local.

Frank won a race on FOUR votes.

People forget the 'off elections'. Tomorrow - VOTE!

[salin]

30. kick