CNN/AP: Thousands pay respects to 'force of nature' Ann Richards

[DeepModem Mom]

Thousands pay respects to 'force of nature' Richards
September 18, 2006


Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton shares anecdotes about former Texas Gov. Ann Richards on Monday.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Celebrities and ordinary Texans gathered Monday for a final farewell to former Gov. Ann Richards, likening her to a rock star and a force of nature who "gave it her all every single minute of every single day."

One funny story after another kept a crowd of 3,800 roaring at the Frank Erwin Center, a place usually reserved for University of Texas basketball games and rock concerts...But on this day, the arena was filled with gospel music, flowers and hilarious memories of the big-haired, blue-eyed woman elected Texas governor in 1990. Two huge photographs of Richards in her political prime hung on each side of the stage.

The star-studded service drew Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, former San Antonio Mayor and Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros and Texas-born gossip columnist Liz Smith. Former Commerce Secretary Don Evans attended on behalf of President Bush. At the burial, singer Nanci Griffith performed, and actress Lily Tomlin was in attendance, family spokesman Bill Crier said.

Clinton said that when she first met Richards she thought, "I had just met another force of nature. I already lived with one."...

***

Speakers emphasized the "New Texas" that Richards heralded -- a reference to opening the upper echelons of government to women and minorities.

"Ann Richards understood and embraced more of the notion that this state of Texas that we love so much could not be the Texas that we dreamed of until all God's children got to play," said Kirk, who is black. "That was essentially the message of her new Texas -- to let us in the door."...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/18/richards.remembered.ap/index.html

[lonestarnot]

1. Guess bushitler was to scared to show his face. Teehee

I'm glad the fuckwad didn't! Ann would have dropped a hoop holder pole on his head!

[Ignacio Upton]

2. His presence would equal pissing on her grave

n/t.

[juajen]

3. I love that photo

Two beautiful, smart and dedicated women. RIP Governor Richards. I'm so proud to have lived in part of her life and Senator Clinton's.

[chelsea0011]

4. A former commerce secretary is the best they could come up with?

that is being scared shitless.

[MaineDem]

5. I am so honored to have met her

She has been an inspiration. I count the times I've been in her presence among the highpoints of my life.

I watched the memorial service this morning. I still have tears in my eyes.

You'll be missed, Governor, by the thousands of people you have inspired.

[ismnotwasm]

6. Deep soul beautiful

Goodbye Ann, with my deepest respect, and thanks.

[peaches2003]

7. Bush 41's comment when she died

was totally lacking in class, but no Bush can ever resist getting nasty. They are so paranoid. He started with a decent comment about her and then had to add he was glad his son had beat her in his race for Governor. This family is sick.

[AnneD]

8. It was so nice...

everyone that ever knew her has an Ann Richards story. Hillary was right. If she could have shook hands with every voter in this country-she could have become president.
Our local CBS affiliate has the service recorded. It was a great memorial.

http://www.khou.com/