Gerry Studds dies

[LTR]

BOSTON - Former U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, the first openly gay person elected to Congress, died early Saturday at Boston Medical Center, several days after he collapsed while walking his dog, his husband said. He was 69.

Studds fell unconscious Oct. 3 because of what doctors later determined was a blood clot in his lung, Dean Hara said.

Studds regained consciousness, remained in the hospital, and seemed to be improving. He was scheduled to be transferred to a rehabilitation center, but his condition deteriorated Friday and he died at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Hara said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061014/ap_on_re_us/obit_studds

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. And his name was in the news so much lately with Foley :^(

[Warpy]

2. This saddens me greatly

I lived in his district and voted for him more than once. He'd been a fine Representative and a tireless worker for wetlands preservation, something very important to his district.

He was also a mensch.

My sympathy and best wishes to his husband.

[MADem]

3. You just never know when and how...

Who would have thought that he would die this young, and at this particular time?

[Bluebear]

4. 'Last year he married his longtime partner, Dean Hara, in Boston'

I am happy he lived to see the day.

[wicket]

5. Amen

n/t

[Greeby]

6. Think the Repukes will stop using him as a talking point now he's dead?

Nope, me neither, not for one second :(