"We Lost a Good, Honest Politician"

From The Morning Journal:

NORWALK -- Congressman Paul Gillmor is being remembered as a "good, honest politician" who was respected across party lines. Gillmor, 68, was found dead by aides in his apartment near Washington yesterday morning after he failed to show up for a meeting, according to police.

"I'm just stunned. He was just in our county on Thursday for our Century Club Breakfast," said Huron County Republican Chairman David Kniffin. "I'm just stunned about the whole thing."

Although police do not yet have a cause of death, they said there was nothing suspicious.

As a House member he was a solid Republican vote, a reliable conservative on social issues who was a strong proponent of the military and spoke out against abortion.

***
Huron County Commission Vice President Gary Bauer said he is also saddened as he remembered meeting with Gillmor last week.

"We lost a good, honest politician there," Bauer said. "He was available to people. In a time when not everything's perfect, Paul Gillmor was an honest legislator and an honest citizen who tried to do what he could to serve the people he represented."

"I don't think he ever thought of himself before his duties," said Kniffin. "He was respected by both the Democrats and Republicans. I think everybody felt he was a real straight shooter."

[More]

(emphasis added)

From The Morning Journal's op/ed on Congressman Gillmor:

Late Paul Gillmor among the finest in Ohio public service

Paul Gillmor was the kind of congressman this nation needs. He was hard-working, honest, gracious and responsive to the constituents in his 5th District, which includes Huron County and sprawls across northwest Ohio.

It's sad that Gillmor's death at age 68 yesterday is the occasion for bringing his name prominently into the public spotlight.

Gillmor wasn't a headline-chaser. He was relatively little-known, even in Congress, despite being elected to 10 terms, starting in 1988. He was a workhorse, not a show horse, much to his credit.

Before redistricting in 2002, Gillmor also represented Erie County as well as southern and western Lorain County. It speaks well of him that Gillmor is remembered as taking good care of heavily-Democratic Lorain County, despite him being a staunch Republican.

In Congress, Gillmor provided a dependable conservative vote on social issues and in support of America's military and veterans. He helped save 1,000 jobs by his work to prevent closure of the Toledo Air National Guard base.

Huron County loses an excellent congressman with Gillmor's unexpected passing. A special election is to be held to choose a successor to fill out Gillmor's term which expires at the end of next year. Candidates will have much to live up to in carrying on for Gillmor.

***
In Ohio's political history, Paul Gillmor will stand out among the best that the Buckeye State has produced.

UPDATE
Congressman Gillmor's colleagues, both Republican and Democrat alike, have paid tribute to the decency of the late Ohio Republican.

However, Matt Naugle of Right Angle Blog points out that, while the Dem politicians were saying one thing, their liberal nutroot base seemed to take delight in Gillmor's untimely passing. This episode of sick, twisted, demented schaDEMfreude is brought to you by the same kind, caring, compassionate people who think they know best how to raise and educate your children and want to "take care" of you from cradle to grave (a.k.a. "liberals").


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Sad News: My Congressman, Paul Gillmor, Has Died