Former US Senator Edward W. Brooke dies at 95

[alp227]

Last edited Sat Jan 3, 2015, 08:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Boston Globe

Edward W. Brooke, the Massachusetts Republican who was the first African-American to be elected to the US Senate since Reconstruction, died Saturday morning in his Coral Gables, Fla., home. He was 95 and his health had declined in the past couple of months.

Mr. Brooke served in the Senate from 1967-1979. Elected attorney general in 1962 and reelected two years later, he was the first African-American to hold that office in any state.

“Massachusetts has a history of sending giants to the United States Senate, great statesmen like Quincy Adams, Webster, Cabot Lodge, and Kennedy. We count Ed Brooke among them,” said Governor Deval L. Patrick. “He carried the added honor and burden of being ‘the first’ and did so with distinction and grace. I have lost a friend and mentor. America has lost a superb example of selfless service.”

Governor-elect Charlie Baker said he was “deeply saddened by the loss of Senator Edward W. Brooke as we lost a truly remarkable public servant. A war hero, a champion of equal rights for all, and an example that barriers can be broken, Senator Brooke accomplished more than most aspire to. Our party, commonwealth and nation are better for his service

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/01/03/edward-brooke-first-african-american-elected-senate-since-reconstruction-dies/oRou5Pz1NyxIiX1ExZ9w6K/story.html

[mountain grammy]

1. He was a moderate Republican when there were such things.

He was an honorable and decent man. Rest in peace.

[Omaha Steve]

3. The first African-American (appointed by JFK) on the NLRB board was a moderate Republican too

He was one of the BEST friends labor and workers ever, period. He was the deciding opinion on my case late in his career too.

HONORABLE HOWARD JENKINS, JR - MR. NLRB: http://www.law.du.edu/jenkins/Default.htm

[Gormy Cuss]

6. One of the few GOPers I've ever voted for in a statewide race.

Brooke was indeed a moderate Republican.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Awwww! I remember him...

[7962]

4. Wow, 95! Hope I make it that long. He was a decent fellow too. nt

[Faygo Kid]

5. The Right must be joyous. First Mario Cuomo, now this.

Edward Brooke was a moderate Republican back when there were such people. RIP.

As an unnecessary aside, he had an acknowledged affair with Barbara Walters.

A long life well lived, though, Sen. Brooke.

[MADem]

7. Barbara Walters will be saddened--that was one of her Grand Loves.

[ColesCountyDem]

8. I remember him well.

First Republican US Senator to call on Dick Nixon to resign as President.

[Cryptoad]

9. I gues Scott Brown will have to move back to Mass now!

[BumRushDaShow]

10. R.I.P.

I didn't realize he was still with us. He was a major modern historic figure and I remember as a kid, when he was in office. Of course he was the wrong party and even though his agenda was not to promote the AA community, his very presence basically did such (to a degree).

Condolences to the family and thank you for your service!

[John1956PA]

11. I remember November 1978 election night when Paul Tsongas defeated him.

Senator Brooke was the only African-American in the Senate at the time. Paul Tsongas had to face reporters' questions as to how he felt about defeating the only senator of that racial minority.