Say Goodbye To A Really Good Man:

[cali]

Jim Jeffords: Advocate for Education, those with disabilities, Environmentalist and Humanitarian.

Beyond the fact that he turned the Senate over to the dems by leaving the Republican party, there's a lot of good things that can be said about Jim Jeffords.

Jeffords comes from a distinguished VT republican family. His father was Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. He attended Yale as an undergrad and went on to Harvard Law School.

Jeffords served in the Vermont State Senate, was Vermont's AG, and was elected to the House in 1974. In 1988 he was elected to the Senate.

According to Wiki:

"Jeffords' work in Congress has focused on legislation involving education, job training, and individuals with disabilities. In recent years, his emphasis has shifted somewhat, as Jeffords has pushed several important pieces of environmental legislation through Congress. He was, together with Paul Simon, credited by Canadian Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) from 1993 to 1994, for actively lobbying the US administration into mounting a humanitarian mission to Rwanda during the Rwandan Genocide. According to Dallaires' book Shake Hands with the Devil, he "owe(s) a great debt of gratitude" to both senators.

Jeffords was one of the founders of the Congressional Solar Coalition and the Congressional Arts Caucus. Jeffords has been frequently recognized for his performance as a legislator, receiving Parenting Magazine's "Legislator of the Year" award in 1999, and the Sierra Club's highest commendation in 2002."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jeffords

I wish you a fulfilling retirement back in Vermont, Senator. Thanks for serving so honorably.

(Please feel free to add your message. I'd love to send this thread to the Senator.)

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Thanks Senator Jeffords

Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!

[Nite Owl]

2. Thank you Senator Jeffords

for being a true patriot and true believer in the people of this country. You are not my Senator but you represented all of us. You were never a publicity seeker but one who quietly did you job, did what you were elected to do and did it well. The people of Vermont have much to be proud of in choosing you to represent them. Best to you and your family in your retirement.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. God Bless you Senator, I wish you all the best.

You are a true American and patriot.

[Ken Burch]

4. Thanks for teacing all of us the true meaning of "independence"

Have a great life, Senator.

[Hand]

5. Thank you, Senator...

You made us proud! :patriot:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

6. Best Wishes, Senator.

You, sir, are a patriot. Keep that independant streak as you return to Vermont- it's rare to have a person who listens to both sides before making an informed decision.

[warrens]

7. For such a small state, VT comes up with great legislators

Leahy, Bernie, Jim...to name just a few.

[nam78_two]

8. I know-I was thinking the same thing-K&R/nt

[ncrainbowgrrl]

9. Could that be attributed to an engaged electorate?

Maybe I'm pulling that out of my... well... you know... :blush:

It always seems like that New England tradition of democratic representation, town meetings, and to some extent, the community members themselves in how much the civil and civic obligations to their communities is just naturally there. It's a part of the culture, IMHO. I must say that I really like it, respect the ethic (possible leftover ethic from puritan communal life?) of their responsibility to take part in bettering their own town/community.
,
(Maybe I'm rambling. Maybe I'm totally off base. I *DO* know, however, that Vermont is a very special place. It's probably no accident that Vermonsters have sent excellent representatives to DC.)

[cali]

11. Yes, we've got an engaged electorate

but I believe that it's just as much a function of size. We're geographically pretty small, and there are only about 600,000 of us.
The relationship of politicians with the electorate is an intimate one. So, it's a combination of the tradition of engagement and size. No politician can buy himself or herself a seat here, as was illustrated so brilliantly in 1998 when Fred Tuttle (retired farmer from Tunbridge) ran in the republican primary against millionaire Jack McMullen. Fred won, then promptly turned around and endorsed Leahy. This year saw a telegenic mega millionaire run the most expensive campaign in VT history against Bernie, who ended up with 65% of the vote.

I'd like to add that we also have a kick ass legislature with a veto proof majority.

[maddezmom]

10. They sure do

Thanks Mr. Jeffords and to people of VT for having the sense to elect these good folks. :applause: