Big Dawg to lead procession for Ann Richards tomorrow in Austin!

[StellaBlue]

Heads up - I just found out that Bill Clinton is going to lead the procession tomorrow morning for Ann Richards' lying in state in the Texas Capitol rotunda. It opens to the public at 9:30am, so I am going to get there early to spot Big Dawg/see this historic event/pay my respects.

FYI

[babylonsister]

1. Now that's good news! nt

[Avalux]

2. I'll be with you in spirit.

Wish I could go but won't be able to. How wonderful Clinton will be there for Ann. :hi:

[Texasgal]

3. I'll be there too!

The traffic is going to be horrid with the ACL fes thing going on too!

[bobbolink]

4. Give Ann a greeting for me, wouldja?

:patriot:

[StellaBlue]

5. Yep - I will take some yellow roses on behalf of DU

Seriously.

[helderheid]

6. thank you!

[madame defarge]

8. Oh, perfect! Thank you. Namaste. n/t

[pinto]

11. Cool.

[NMDemDist2]

20. thanks Stella! yellow roses are perfect for such a beautiful Texas lady

:hug:

[madame defarge]

7. After you've paid your respects...

please give her a nod for all of us DUers who can't be there. We're there in spirit. She would understand.

I'm so sad about her death. Ann Richards was & always will be such a great role model for all of us. Intelligent, witty, defiant, strong, honest, & imperfect -- by her own admission.

I never had the honor of meeting her in person, but I lived in Texas while she was governor. She made living in the state tolerable. (Sorry, Texans...it's just not a place I want to live.)

In 1998, my husband sat next to her on a flight back to Dallas, when my daughter was a baby. As any good doting tech daddy, he had her photo up as his screen saver. Ann saw it & said, "Cute baby! Born in Texas?" My husband said, "Yes she was." Ann: "There are lots of good things that come from Texas!"

I'll miss her, and I'll never forget her.

[StellaBlue]

10. every one I know has some story like that

about a plane ride, a trip to the grocery store, even one of my friends who was sitting NEXT to her at Fahrenheit 9/11 here in Austin!!!

I met her when I was four, but I don't remember it, unfortunately. :(

[fooj]

15. I'll be with you in spirit...

[datadiva]

9. I can't think of a better person to lead

Honor for an Honorable woman. I am going to miss her soooooo much!

[Cha]

12. Good for you, StellaBlue!

Give her our respects, too, from those of us who can only be there in Spirit!O8)

[datadiva]

13. Somebody needs to give this thread one more kick

to get it on the greatest page where it will be seen by more people.

[NoPasaran]

14. Done

I'll be at the Capitol paying my respects to Governor Richards this weekend.

[VolcanoJen]

16. Wonderful news. I hope it gets live national coverage.

Thank you for sharing some good news today... Anne Richards deserves a fitting tribute.

[MzNov]

17. That's great. So wish I could be there in person.

She was one fantastic spokeswoman and I loved her dearly.

:dem:

[AnnieBW]

18. Thanks!

From another chick with an attitude named Ann...

[Melissa G]

19. Maybe a DU meet up? Post details in Texas forum...

[brook]

21. Like the others...

I'm happy that you will be able to attend tomorrow -and, like the others, ask you to say "Goodbye and Godspeed" to Ann from us.

[Truthiness Inspector]

22. K & R

For those who might be able to attend.

[StellaBlue]

23. DETAILS HERE

Julie Simon
Reporting

(CBS 42) AUSTIN Nearly two days after former governor Ann Richards passed away, Austin is making plans for three days of events to honor the pioneering politician.

Starting Saturday Richards’ casket will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda. Her body will be escorted inside by her good friend former President Bill Clinton.

Plans are still being worked out because there has been such an outpouring of love and admiration for the late governor, her family wants to give the public ample time to pay their respects.

Saturday at 8:15 a.m. former President Clinton will arrive at the Capitol. He will greet Richards' casket and her family.

They will then go inside the Capitol rotunda where the President and one family member will make some remarks.

The ceremony is closed to the public.

At 9:30 a.m., the front doors of the Capitol will open to the public.

People are allowed to bring personal cameras, but are advised there will not be an official spot to leave flowers.

Capitol doors on Saturday will close at 8 p.m.

Sunday, the public can pay their respects from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday night Richards' casket will be taken from the Capitol to an undisclosed location. Her coffin will not be at Monday’s memorial service.

The service is at 12 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center on the University of Texas campus. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.

“I do believe this memorial service will be unlike any other,” family spokesperson Cathy Bonner said.

Speakers will include Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, columnist Liz Smith and former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros.

The service will run from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. People can bring cameras but are discouraged from bringing flowers.

The Erwin Center is expected to be packed and parking could be an issue. Since it's on Monday, state lots will be full with state workers' cars. So you are going to want to come early. Street parking may be your best option.

The family requests all donations go through the Austin Community Foundation at P.O. Box 5159. You can call them at 512-472-4483.

[Ninga]

24. A "kick" of respect and admiration for Ann from Ohio. She is among the

women who have blazed the trail, clearing the way for others. A true champion of the people if there ever was one.

Bless you dear Ann, and your family as well.

[WhiteTara]

25. remember when this used to be the chief duty

of the vice president? Now we have Heartless trying to kill the world and the last president we had is taking on the role. Times have certainly changed.

Wail on that saxophone for all of us Bill.

[Melissa G]

26. Just returned from being among the first 10 folks to pay our

respects... Big Dawg and Lloyd Doggett were there. Big Dawg escorted the casket in. lloyd came out to stand with those waiting afterwards. We will post pics if they can fix the broken machine that is developing them.