If there's one thing that is quick for a guy like me who never met Ann Richards to learn, it's that wit and a funny story are almost always a must when talking about her. So as we move back to full posting strength, I'd like to offer this funny tale and a quip from my mother that I thought was fitting.
Remember last week when Chris Bell went out hunting? In the story they mentioned how Ann Richards started this tradition.
Richards, the most recent Democratic governor, hunted before TV cameras in 1990 and during her years as governor. She said in 1992 that hunting boosted her popularity.
"Man, after that (1990 trip), my numbers went straight up in (rural) East Texas," Richards said.
Well, at the time, Bell may have had some trigger problems. But my mother who writes me from time to time (an understatement if there ever was one) wrote me this quip which is worthy of Richards herself.
"I would rather go dove hunting with Chris Bell with the safety on, than go quail hunting with Dick Cheney and get shot in the face."
First, if you couldn't attend Ann Richards' service at the Frank Erwin Center today, it was really special. Take some time out and watch it online. Everything I could say about it is there.
It was a beautiful ceremony, filled with laughter, hope, joy, and remembrance. I think Ann would have been proud and it balanced near perfectly the activism that was her life with the respect that such a service should invite.
Now is a time to look forward, act with renewed energy, and try to work with a new purpose to fulfill her dream and vision. And personally, I can think of no better start than to elect another Democratic Governor to take up her memory and to replace those who continue to work against progress with those who will work for it.
Let's re-double our efforts, let's recommit, let's take back Texas and give it the New Day that is so desperately deserves. Wherever you are and for whichever Democrat you choose- let's go out, speak some truth to power, and win some elections.
Let's give Ann one more victory for Texas.
I've included a collection of videos of Ann in the extended entry.
I first met Ann Richards when she was a County Commissioner in Travis County. She had succeeded Commissioner Johnny Voudouris.
After being elected as a Precinct Chair in Dallas County in 1978, I was called on by Democrats in my neighborhood to start a Democratic club - the Park Cities Democrats. It was 1979, and Republican Bill Clements had defeated the
Democratic nominee for Governor, John Hill. We wanted to show that not everyone in the neighborhood supported Clements and his young junk mail manager Karl Rove. Some of the club members told me about a woman who had been active in the PTA at the University Park Elementary School, who moved to Austin and was elected to the Travis County Commissioners Court. So I made an effort to meet Commissioner Richards at her office. I won't forget that meeting. She told me
that in addition to serving as a Commissioner that Lt. Governor Bill Hobby had recently appointed her to a state board. With all she said I had some important news to report back to my neighbors.
My friend Harry Weisbrod told me about Ann Richards participation in the party in the 1960's, when TV news cameras came to the Democratic precinct conventions to cover all the controversies. He offered a recollection of her appearance at a rally during the LBJ campaign in 1964, shortly before the birth of one one of
her children. According to Harry she got a lot of attention carrying a sign that said "All The Way with L B J"
At a later State Convention I was waiting for an elevator at the headquarters hotel, when suddenly someone came up from behind and gave me a big hug. I looked around - - and it was Ann Richards. I was delighted to see her again. I
was equally delighted to see her run for, and win, the office of State Treasurer, and was impressed with the way she involved young people from her old neighborhood in the campaign. One of them was Jim Smith.
There were other times when she delivered keynote speeches for the Young Democrats at our State Conventions, and at a Jackson Day Dinner at the Great Hall of the Dallas Apparel Mart.
The Young Democrats served as an important part of her campaigns for Governor. During the first campaign, Martin Hoffman, now a Democratic nominee for Judge of a Civil District Court in Dallas County, conducted a meeting in Waco, to help plan our participation. Her mother, Ona Willis, sat next to me at the meeting. Her father, Cecil Willis, walked in with a large stack of boxes of hot pizzas, which the Young Democrats quickly converted into history.
I last spoke with Ann Richards at the service for Senator Mike McKool. It was a cold winter day in Dallas, but this did not stop a large crowd from filing in to the chapel of the Hillcrest Funeral Home on Northwest Highway. It was the one time that I heard her shed a few tears, in the course of sharing her memories of Senator McKool. The Senator was a remarkable man who returned in later years to serve as the Dallas County Chairman. We won't forget Mike McKool, who did so many positive things for our state.
I am proud that during the Richards administration, she signed some of my words
into Law, closing a special interest loophole in the "Lemon Law" that had existed for too long. This has remained on the books and has withstood the test of time.
We will soon find the final resting place of Governor Ann Richards at the State Cemetery. She will take her place along with Stephen F. Austin, Barbara Jordan, Oscar Mauzy, John C. White, Ralph Yarborough, and some relatives of mine who
participated at a convention at Washington on the Brazos. It seems there is a whole convention of Democrats at the State Cemetery now - - where each marker offers a lesson in History that our future activists should come to understand.
I won't ever forget Ann Richards or Mike McKool. Texans live with their contributions daily. I am directly reminded of them when I pass by Richards' former residence at Lovers Lane and Athens, and the McKool residence on Hillcrest.
Limited parking for Monday's serives at the Frank Erwin Center will be available at the following locations:
State Parking Garage at Trinity Street and MLK, enter on Trinity Street. Also, state lots along Trinity between MLK and 17th Street.
Ridesharing and use of public transportation is encouraged. If you live in Austin and can get there via a friend or public transport, please do.
Today (Sept. 16) and Sunday, Sept. 17, friends of Ann Richards have made arrangements to capture on video stories and reflections about the former Texas governor.
The videotaping is taking place today until 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Texas capitol (south steps). Everyone is welcome. The footage is primarily for the family, and will also be housed at the Center for American History at UT Austin with Richards’ archives.
Texas Impact, the Baptist Christian Life Commission and the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries have called on congregations in Austin and throughout the state to toll their bells for one minute at 12 noon on Monday (September 18) in celebration of Governor Ann Richards’ life.
"I thought to myself, I bet this is the only time in their entire lives that Billy Crystal and Robin Williams are the second and third funniest people at the table," Clinton said.
"In this case, goodbye is also a celebration, because of the big things that Ann Richards did."
"For 30-plus years, that is certainly what she was to me and Hillary," he said. "First she was big: big hair, big bright eyes, big blinding smile. She also had a big heart, big dreams, did big deeds."
Richards wanted a Texas "where young girls grew up to be scientists, engineers, police officers and teachers ... where the dreams and the spirit were as big as the sky in her beloved home."
Tomorrow morning Ann Richards will be at the Capitol, brought to lie in state by her family and former President Bill Clinton around 8:30. I will be joining the standing press in the morning in the rotunda where President Clinton and the family will make brief remarks before the place is opened up at 9:30 for the public to pay their respects. At that point, all entrances to the Capitol will be opened, though the main lines will go through the south entrance.
Ann Richards will lie in state on:
Saturday- 9:30 to 8:00 pm
Sunday- 9:00 to 8:00pm
For Monday-
INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Public parking will be available at the state parking garage at the corner of Trinity and MLK, enter on Trinity, first-come first-served basis. Other garages and lots on Trinity between MLK and 17th street will have some parking available. The public is encouraged to carpool or use public transportation. Doors to the Erwin Center will open at 10:30 am.
Tentative order of the service is former Mayor of Dallas Ron Kirk, master of ceremonies; syndicated columnist Liz Smith; former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros; video presentation; music interspersed and TBD; U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton; Richards family member, Lily Adams (Ann Richard’s oldest granddaughter); more music, and closing by Ron Kirk.
They have also kindly allowed bloggers to join the press on Monday as well, setting aside a couple tables with wireless so I will likely be there as well on behalf of Burnt Orange Report for those who are not able to make it to Austin.
Until the culmination of services Monday, I'm suspending all political blogging on the front page of BOR. Please continue to leave your stories and memories of Ann, as I've been in contact with someone who is archiving them for the family. They are much appreciated.
Despite the loss of one of Texas' most influential women, UT students and other Austinites have gained a great resource for the future.
Over the past 16 years, Richards had donated her political memorabilia and papers to UT's Center for American History. The collection, known as the Ann W. Richards Papers, was on display for the media for the first time Thursday.
The collection contains many items, from project files to political cartoons. On display were files of letters Richards had sent and received, personal photos, records of public addresses and even a high school yearbook. The collection also included campaign memorabilia, including bumper stickers and campaign pins.
Center director Don Carleton, who said he had been friends with Richards for 25 years, was quick to say this collection is not a stagnant museum piece but a useful piece of history.
"Where there's no evidence, there's no history," he said.
The collection can be used for research and teaching beyond history books when it is opened to the public, although no definitive date for public release has been set.
The following was sent out by Amy Manuel, Dem candidate for Denton County Commissioner
It was with great sadness that I learned yesterday of the passing of Governor Ann Richards. I am from the generation that had no heroes. However, Governor Richards was my hero.
A couple of weeks ago, someone said to me that I reminded him of Ann Richards. There is no greater compliment in my book. Ann Richards was the epitome of all that is good and right in Texas Politics. She had a sharp quit wit, while always standing by her principals. She did more for women in politics in Texas than anyone before or since. Ann used humor to make her point, and in doing so, her words were remembered for years to come.
Who among us doesn't know the quote, "Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astair did, backwards and in high heels."
That one line told the world in the days of women's liberation, that we women were capable of anything that a man could do. Not only that, but we achieve greatness despite unequal circumstances and odds laid against us.
I have always admired a quick wit and a sharp tongue. No one possessed these traits more than Ann Richards. We all remember her words at the 1988 Democratic Convention. "Poor George. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."
Many do not know just how much Ann Richards did for women in politics, especially Texas women. Though she was not the first female governor of Texas, she was the first to get there on her own. Once there, she helped to bring diversity to the capital of Texas. She gave jobs to people who normally would not have been allowed in the door. Her daughter has carried on her good work through the Texas Freedom Network.
Last night, someone told me how her daughter, a Republican, received encouragement from Governor Richards to pursue a career in politics. It did not matter to Ann Richards that the young girl in question was a Republican. Ann saw talent and intelligence and dedication, so she persuaded this young women to follow her dreams. This mother said that her daughter owed her career to Governor Richards and that both she and her daughter would miss Ann Richards very much.
It is my greatest hope that I may live up to the standards set by Ann Richards. She represents what many of us young women just starting our political careers hope to be one day. She was remarkable. She was the best of the best.
Goodbye, Ann Richards. You are gone but not forgotten.
Amy Manuel for County Commissioner
www.AmyManuel.com
Ed. note: The following was written by my father, Ed Martin.
January 10, 1992 was my daughter Amy’s fifth birthday, and the Texas Democratic Party was having our annual fundraiser. As the party’s Executive Director, I had work to do, but we wanted to be together as a family for Amy’s birthday, so we were all at the Governor’s mansion at a reception. During the reception, Ann greeted us and we learned January 10 was also her Dad’s birthday before she sang Happy Birthday to Amy, who as a second year student at the University of Chicago is now fully confident she can do anything just as well, if not better than, any man.
As she sang to our daughter, a seven year old boy was singing along, and with the wisdom of a Mom and a teacher, Ann made sure to talk to Phillip Martin, too. The conversation turned to reading, and Phil was a voracious reader and wasn’t shy. In fact, later that evening he walked right up to candidate Bill Clinton all by himself and stuck out his hand like an old pro. But when Ann asked him what he liked to read, something about her overwhelmed him and he couldn’t answer, so Ann reassured him that he had her permission to read a book every week.
I never worked directly on Ann’s campaign or state staff, but that same Phillip Martin asked me to share a few memories. I remember getting off an elevator at the Texas delegation hotel in Atlanta in 1988 and seeing Ann walking up and down the hall in her robe, talking out loud. I can’t remember what she said – something funny about the keynote speech she would give, something human you’d say around the house. But the sight of her embodied that perfectly imperfect humanity that made millions of Texans understand she was our Governor, one who really worked for us.
In fact, what made Ann Richards’ election and service so important was that you didn’t have to have an up close personal experience to feel like she was your own personal Governor. Something about her broke through that TV screen and newspaper photo and became personal.
You could feel it that night in Atlanta after her keynote speech when a lot of non-Texans made it to the Texas hotel for a party with her pal Jerry Jeff on stage. The crowd was getting crazy and Jerry Jeff was about to stop trying to play. We needed to find Ann quickly, and she was way down the corridor in crushing mass of people with her son Dan. We got Ann to the ballroom, where she took the stage, told a personal “Jacky Jack” story about the old Jerry Jeff and thanked everyone, leaving a happy musician to playing to a happy crowd into the night.
The next morning, wary of another corridor crush on the way to the Texas delegation breakfast with featured guest, our own Vice Presidential nominee Lloyd Bentsen, we took Ann to the hotel ballroom by way of a shortcut through the hotel kitchen, when she observed that “I could get shot in here.” Coming from Ann, it was a funny commentary on who and what we are. And from that morning forward, she would never leave the national stage.
The 1989-1990 election cycle was difficult. From September, 1989 through February, 1990, the State Party and the Texas Democratic Women conducted 28 organizing and training events across Texas. On one or two weekends, our whole young family drove together across Texas to one of these sessions, and the enthusiasm of the Richards supporters was a reality that was inescapable. Later in 1990, my brother was hospitalized the entire general election season and passed away the Sunday morning before the election, the same day the headlines screamed that the polls were showing a Richards comeback victory was possible. But my brother Larry was proud that we were able to take him to the drive through early voting location that was set up at 10th and Neches in 1990, where he voted for Ann, too.
For me, when the people of Texas walked up to that Capitol, a cloud was lifted. On that crisp clear morning in 1991, I was walking with our Democratic National Chairman, Ron Brown, who kept commenting on the energy and genuine passion he saw in the people on the Avenue that bright day. I recalled my early days campaigning in Houston with Mickey Leland and Craig and Benny and how cool it was in the 70’s to have new faces in the Capitol, including Ann Richards, Rep. Sara Weddington’s legislative assistant.
In the 70’s, those new faces shocked some folks, but 1991 it was more than that, those new faces became a “New Texas.” And when that woman in the white suit with the white hair smiled and took that oath, it was not about any one of us, it was about government being for all of us.
In August of 1991, I was running out the west door of the Capitol during a redistricting special session, late to join my family to plant a tree in my brother’s memory, and as I flung open the door I nearly knocked Ann flat on her ass. When I apologized and told her why I was hurrying, she told me to slow down or they’d be planting me, too.
I may have slowed down a little since then, but I think the best thing we can do to honor Ann and the others who have gone before her is to live every day to its fullest. After all, there is nothing we can’t do, even if we have to dance backward a while to move forward with humanity and determination.
