Lowell P. Weicker Jr., a towering determine in Connecticut politics who rose to nationwide prominence for taking up his get together in the course of the Watergate hearings as a junior Republican senator, was remembered Monday as a politician from a bygone period, unshackled by partisanship.
During greater than 30 years in public workplace, Weicker fought for AIDS funding, clear air and water, medical analysis, defending folks with disabilities and people marginalized in society. He served within the Connecticut General Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives and later as Connecticut’s first unbiased governor. He died June 28 at age 92, following a brief sickness.
His funeral in Greenwich, Connecticut, a city the place he was as soon as the primary selectman, drew household, buddies and politicians from each events. They recalled his maverick political type being guided by an inside ethical compass to do what he thought was proper for Connecticut and the nation.
“He loved to challenge convention every day and we’re better for,” stated Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont, a private good friend of Weicker and his spouse Claudia, who delivered a eulogy peppered with moments of humor.
“Opinionated? Yep. Absolutely,” Lamont stated. “Inverse of that, maybe, is also highly principled. He was 100% certain that he was absolutely right 100% of the time. He usually was. And you know what? When he wasn’t, he was willing to change his mind.”
Connecticut voters have had sturdy opinions about Weicker over time. As a one-term governor, he pushed by way of a extremely contentious tax on private earnings when the state confronted main fiscal issues, regardless of initially opposing it. An estimated 40,000 protesters packed the state Capitol grounds in Hartford on Oct. 5, 1991, demanding lawmakers “ax the tax.” Some hanged him in effigy. But Weicker nonetheless determined to stroll by way of the gang.
“Lowell Weicker was never afraid to make hard choices and to fight for what he believed in,” stated Stanley Twardy, who labored with Weicker when he was a senator and governor.
Despite his imposing persona and physique – he was roughly 6-foot, 6-inches tall – Weicker was remembered by his household as “Pop,” a doting grandfather who made pancakes for his granddaughter and impressed his grandson to scuba dive. While at all times aggressive, he was additionally type and cared about others, stated his son, Scot Weicker, considered one of seven youngsters.
The youthful Weicker recalled taking part in doubles tennis towards his father sooner or later and rupturing his Achilles tendon on a shot.
“He came over to the net and looked down at me and said, ‘Just so you know, we won the point,’” Scot Weicker advised these gathered, who erupted in laughter. After Scot Weicker agreed on the rating, the elder Weicker’s demeanor modified and he requested his son if he was OK.
“This was when the other side of dad kicked in. He was at his absolute best when someone needed help,” Scot Weicker stated. “He was a man who would go to any lengths to help those in need.”
After Lowell Weicker’s demise, Democratic President Joe Biden stated he was “proud to call him a friend,” describing him as “blunt, brave, committed to his convictions and fiercely independent.” The two served collectively within the Senate for almost 20 years.
Former Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd served in Congress for 14 years with Weicker, together with eight as Connecticut’s two senators. He lauded Weicker for going out of his manner to assist him study the “obscure traditions” of the U.S. Senate, noting that the 2 ended up changing into good buddies.
“We always reached across the aisle together, Lowell and I did, and worked for the betterment of the state of Connecticut and our country. We didn’t always agree, but Lowell never took a cheap shot,” Dodd stated. “We both believed that we had an obligation to keep our state’s best interests at heart. The U.S. Senate in those days was nothing like it is today. And in my view, as a country, they’re worse for it.”
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