VermontBiz Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement:
“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Dick Sears. Senator Sears was already in the Senate when I arrived as a freshman in 2001. We served together for many years and I have always had a great deal of respect for him. I appreciate his willingness to work across the aisle to get things done. Just this past session, he worked closely with my team to pass important public safety legislation.
“He was a true champion for Bennington county. And, as stubborn or gruff as he could be at times, he and I shared a love of golden retrievers — we both had them — which was something we could always bond over.
“This is an incredible loss for Vermont and the Senate and my heart goes out to Senator Sears’ family, friends and colleagues.”
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth (D-Chittenden) and Senator Brian Campion (D-Bennington) on Sunday issued the following statements following the passing of Senator Richard "Dick" Sears:
Senator Baruth: "The Vermont Senate mourns the tragic loss of Senator Dick Sears who passed away over the weekend surrounded by family and long-time friends. Dick's legacy is all but incalculable. Recognized nationally as one of America's “most productive” legislators, he made judicial and corrections reform his personal mission. His background with residential treatment programs for justice-involved youth led him to pioneer both Vermont's Raise the Age and Justice Reinvestment frameworks. Bring to mind any major public safety, court reform or decriminalization initiative of the last thirty years, and chances are excellent that Dick Sears was the driving force behind it. And every pressing concern he had – for our state's prosecutors, our public defenders, judges, police, for the accused and the addicted and the orphaned – Dick brought eventually to the Appropriations Committee, insisting that true justice requires resources, not lip service. An orphan himself, Dick came to wield great power in the Vermont Senate, but always on behalf of those society tends to forget and nearly always with marked success. He was a tireless advocate, and a fearsome negotiator. Much, much more will be said of Dick Sears than I can say in a short statement, but I will add that although in some ways we were unlikely friends and allies, I came to love him like a father and I will miss him like family. And I know many others throughout the state will feel this tremendous loss."
Senator Campion: "Dick loved representing Bennington County and took great pride in that honor for the 32 years he served as State Senator. He was one of the most effective leaders in the Senate and will be sorely missed. Dick was also a dear friend and I will always remember his sense of humor, sense of justice and lifelong dedication to the service of others."
U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Sunday issued the following statement on the passing of Vermont State Senator Dick Sears:
“No one contributed more to Bennington than the extraordinary Dick Sears. He brought strength and gentleness and judgment to all he did: From founding 204 Depot Street, which provided opportunities and life skills to troubled but promising young people in need of guidance; to sitting on the Bennington Select Board, where he served with such distinction. And of course, Dick Sears’ service in the Vermont Senate, where he was a voice for justice and fairness. He combined a generous heart with kindness and humor. He, along with his beloved wife Bev who recently predeceased him, blessed all of us who knew and worked with him.”
US Representative Becca Balint (D-Vt.) issued this statement on Monday morning: “I am so sad to learn of Dick Sears passing. This is a deep loss for Vermont. His was a true life of service, rising from profoundly humble beginnings to serve as Chair of Vermont’s Senate Judiciary Committee for nearly 30 years. His work stands as a monument. He did more to shape Vermont’s judicial system than anyone in that time. He steered it with wisdom, an openness to new ideas, genuine courage in making change, and a deep compassion for the people who most needed their government to serve and care for them.
“I was honored to serve alongside Senator Sears in the Vermont Senate. Some people saw him as the tough and forceful committee chair, but I quickly came to know the man who dedicated his life to helping Vermont’s most vulnerable young people. He spent decades running a home for troubled teenagers in Bennington. He became a powerful and effective legislator, but I so admired how he wrote laws without ever forgetting the love and care that brought him to safety when he was a small child born to an incarcerated mother.
“I know I join the chorus of so many Vermonters who thank Dick for his deep commitment to public service.”
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