Anne Galloway,vtdigger.org and Vermont Business Magazine
Sen. James Jeffords died this morning at the Knollwood Military Retirement Residence in Washington, D.C.
He was 80 years old. Jeffords had lived at the residence since his wife died of ovarian cancer eight years ago.
The Vermont congressman and senator served 32 years in Congress until 2005 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.Jeffords became famous in May 2001 when he left the Republican party to become an independent and began caucusing with the Democrats in the Senate.
[Sen. Jim Jeffords, R-Vt.]
It was a historic turning point for the 50-50 Senate, which was in the middle of a debate over President George W. Bush’s budget. Jeffords wanted $180 billion for special education programs for a 10-year period. When Bush and Republicans in Congress rebuffed his proposal to make the funding mandatory in April that year, Jeffords endorsed a compromise plan floated by Democrat Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana.
Two weeks later, Jeffords jumped ship and became an independent. His switch instantly turned the Republican Senate over to the Democrats, and suddenly, Bush, who had openly spurned Jeffords, no longer had control of the Senate. The breakdown in political loyalties ultimately led to a reduction in Bush’s tax cut agenda.
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http://articles.latimes.com/2001/jun/24/news/mn-14081
Jeffords had been at odds with the party since he took office as a congressman in 1974, and he told the Associated Press at the time: “It’s been mounting over 20 years.”
Statement of Jeffords family on their father's passing:
From daughter Laura Jeffords and son Leonard Jeffords, and their families. They reside in DC.
“While we are saddened by our father's passing, we take comfort in the knowledge that he lived a full life, from the hills of Vermont to the halls of Congress. We will miss his kindness, his good humor, and his generosity of spirit.”
Comments Of Senator Patrick LeahyOn The Passing Of Former Senator Jim Jeffords:
He was a partner in our work for Vermont, and he was a friend. He was a Vermonter through and through, drawn to political life to make a difference for our state and nation. Part of his legacy will also stand as an enduring chapter of the Senate's history.
Statement from US Senator Sanders on the passing of Sen. James Jeffords:
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders issued the following statement today on the death of former U.S. Sen. James Jeffords:“Jane and I join all Vermonters in sending condolences to the family of Jim Jeffords. Jim was one of the most popular elected officials in the modern history of the state – serving at the local, state and federal levels. Vermonters admired him because of his low-key and down-to-earth qualities, and because of his obvious and strong love of the state and the Vermont way of life. He was an effective champion of education, disability rights, the environment and the arts – and millions of Americans have benefited from his efforts. In 2001, he displayed enormous courage by leaving a party that, he often said, had left him because of its dramatic move to the right. Jim was a friend and he will be sorely missed.”
Welch statement on the passing of former United States Senator and Congressman James Jeffords:
Rep. Peter Welch made the following statement on the passing of former United States Senator and Congressman James Jeffords:"I know I share the view of all Vermonters today in expressing condolences to the family of Senator Jim Jeffords on his passing, and our gratitude to him for his life of service.
While Jim would certainly wave away the notion, he was indeed a legend in Vermont and the nation. With characteristic decency, humility and civility, and a dogged persistence, he made his mark in Congress. Millions of children with disabilities are better off today because he lead the charge for their equal access to education. Americans are breathing cleaner air and drinking cleaner water because of his fierce advocacy for the environment and clean energy. And budding artists across the nation receive the boost of his encouragement every year thanks to his legacy as the founder of the annual Congressional Arts Competition.
And, in 2001, the world saw what his fellow Vermonters already knew: Jim Jeffords, above all, had the courage of his convictions.
Jim and his wife, Liz Daley Jeffords, were mentors to me in my early days in the House of Representatives. I am deeply grateful to them both for their friendship, their support and their contributions to Vermont and our country."
Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the following statement regarding the death of former Sen. James Jeffords:
“I join Vermonters and citizens nationwide today in celebrating the life of Jim Jeffords, a true gentleman and an independent-minded maverick in the best tradition of our state. Jim followed in the footsteps of Senators Bob Stafford and George Aiken, always putting the interests of Vermonters and the nation ahead of partisan politics. He followed his sense of right in all that he did, and was never afraid to seek compromise by reaching across the aisle for the good of our country. Jim’s contribution to Vermont spanned his service in the Vermont House, as Attorney General, and as Vermont’s Representative in the U.S. House, where he developed his passion for high quality public education that forged his policy work on behalf of our kids and continued throughout his career. The passing of Senator Jim Jeffords will be felt throughout Vermont and our country. We need more like Senator Jeffords. My heart goes out to his children and extended family.”
Lt. Governor Phil Scott issued the following statement on the passing of former Senator James Jeffords:
“The story of Vermont politics cannot be told without Jim Jeffords. He served in the most honorable way a person can serve: Selflessly, and always with the best interests of others at heart. He did what he felt was right, not what he felt would make him popular. Whether it was during his time in the Vermont Senate, or as Attorney General, or in the United States House of Representatives, or in the United States Senate, Jim valued the voices of Vermonters and leaves a legacy we can all learn from: Respect over rhetoric, pragmatism over pandering, and love for Vermonters overall.
“In our large, and largely faceless, system of government, he demonstrated the power that one person speaking for their constituents can have. His example of moderation and independence is what I’ve tried to model my own career off of. My sincere condolences go out to Laura, Leonard, and the entire Jeffords family.”
Statement by the President on the Passing of Senator Jim Jeffords
Michelle and I send our deepest sympathies to the family of Senator James M. Jeffords on his passing. Jim devoted his life to service – as a Naval officer, a local leader in his hometown of Shrewsbury, and eventually as a U.S. Senator representing his beloved Vermont. During his more than 30 years in Washington, Jim never lost the fiercely independent spirit that made Vermonters, and people across America, trust and respect him. Whatever the issue – whether it was protecting the environment, supporting Americans with disabilities, or whether to authorize the war in Iraq – Jim voted his principles, even if it sometimes meant taking a lonely or unpopular stance. Vermonters sent him to Washington to follow his conscience, and he did them proud.
Our prayers are with the Jeffords family, including his son Leonard and daughter Laura. And we’re grateful to Jim for his legacy of service to Vermont and the United States of America.
Statement by the Vice Presidentand Dr. Jill Bidenon the Passing of Former Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont
Jim Jeffords was a personal friend, a great senator, and a good man.He was not only beloved by the people of Vermont, but by anyone who ever worked with him. For the nearly four decades I served in the United States Senate, nearly half were spent with Jim as a colleague. Jim knew that with a country as diverse as ours, there is a need for consensus to move the country forward. He was a man who dealt with his colleagues without pretext and withcomplete honesty. And he always knew what he was talking about—and his colleagues and constituents always knew where he stood on an issue. Jim was a reflection of Vermont—independent and non-ideological and always about solving problems. Jill and I are saddened by his passing and join his family, friends, and his former staff in remembering all that he stood for: basic fairness and principled independence.
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