TX: Clinton escorts Richards' casket to Capitol

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/091706dntexclinton.d8334d.html

Former President Bill Clinton tearfully escorted a flag-draped casket Saturday carrying former Gov. Ann Richards into the state Capitol, where she will spend the next two days lying in state before her funeral and burial.

Clinton delivered poignant and at times funny recollections of the woman he called "spontaneous, unedited, earthy, hilarious."


A public memorial service is set for noon Monday at the Erwin Center on the University of Texas campus. Richards' body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

"In this case, goodbye is also a celebration, because of the big things that Ann Richards did," Clinton said.
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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/09/17/17viewing.html?COXnetJSessionIDbuild163=FMN8mORzZVju9a3aAfKVzptllC1nfN1nmHVQWbizfIUL1J1CrghR!1732563967&UrAuth=`NXNUObNZUbTTUWUXUWUZTZUaUWU_UaUZU`UbUcTYWYWZV&urcm=y

Amid Texans' tears and praises from a former president, Ann Richards returned to the Texas Capitol for the final time today.

Former President Bill Clinton led a somber, private ceremony in the Rotunda, where the popular former governor's body will lie in state in a flag-draped, cherrywood casket for two days in a public memorial that is expected to draw thousands of Texans.

[Rose Siding]

1. Poor Wyatt. I'll bet Ann was a wonderful grandma

"At one point, he bent down to comfort Richards' 8-year-old grandson Wyatt, who broke down in sobs."

[Truthiness Inspector]

2. That is so sad

And I agree that Ann was probably a terrific (and fun) grandmother.

[babylonsister]

3. That pic of Clinton praying brought tears to my eyes!

RIP, Governor Richards.

[Brian Stevens]

33. I can actually see

those damn repugs itching to find what they call the "Ron Brown Moment"

:argh:

[booksenkatz]

4. .

It feels like losing a family member. She is irreplaceable. I just can't stand it.

[cboy4]

5. You'd think I'd be out of tears by now.

But I'm not. :cry:

[doctor_garth]

6. when American needs a real leader

only Bill Clinton can fill the shoes. Say what you will about the man, he transpires confidence and strength. I remember how he got to Ground Zero way faster than the Cancer of the Universe George W(ar) Bu$h did.

The Chimp only transpires hate, ignorance and smallness.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

7. Clinton escorts Ann Richards' casket to Capitol

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14865492/

<snip>

AUSTIN, Texas - Former President Clinton tearfully escorted a flag-draped casket Saturday carrying former Gov. Ann Richards into the state Capitol, where she will spend the next two days lying in state before her funeral and burial.

Clinton delivered poignant and at times funny recollections of the woman he called “spontaneous, unedited, earthy, hilarious.” He told mourners about a lunch he once shared in New York with Richards and a group that included comedians Billy Crystal and Robin Williams.

“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,” he said, drawing chuckles from misty-eyed family members.

Richards, the Democrat known for her big, frosty white hair and sharp wit, died Wednesday at the age of 73 from esophageal cancer.

<snip>

[xultar]

8. The Big Dog as Pres and Ann as VP. That would have been a hoot.

Ann how I love you. I will miss you dearly...RIP!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

9. My late mother-in-law apparently liked her as well.

Say hello to "Mom" up there, Gov. Richards. They would be having one helluva great conversation up there (my late MIL was a Dem for sure!).

[rodeodance]

16. She would have cuffed Bill if she thought he was hanky panking!!

[ananda]

10. Now that's a class act.

Good for him. Well done!

[mnhtnbb]

11. I'm glad that POS Bushie boy didn't try to horn in on this.

[Hav]

12. .

RIP Ann Richards

A great loss.

[Shakespeare]

13. I remember Clinton once recounting....

...a meeting (not in the formal sense) he had with Ann Richards and Lawton Chiles. I'd have given anything to be in that room with three funny, sharp-witted, southern liberal democrats (all governors). I know that Chiles' death was hard for Clinton, and now Ann's gone, too. :cry:

[William769]

19. Chiles' death was hard on alot of us

Look what we ended up with in Florida. :cry:

[IndianaGreen]

14. Great to have a President that we are proud of to be there

and to speak about Ann Richards.

[texpatriot2004]

15. Rest in Peace Ann Richards nm

[goclark]

17. I've not seen one photo on my TV of the Capitol Escorting

I loved her!

[me b zola]

18. I know, I've been looking

I would have loved to watch. Maybe it was a decision of the family :shrug:


Ann, we are all better for you having been here.











:cry:

[goclark]

20. Just heard them mention it

but it was not what she deserved. I loved her.
Wish we had any Democrats that could speak with the same humor and sling the TRUTH like she did ~

[Hav]

21. .

And courage. How many would have had the wit and the courage to take a stand like this in that story copied from another thread:

Several years ago there was a big political do at Scholz Beer Garten in Austin and everybody who was anybody in political Texas was there, meetin' and greetin' at a furious pace. About halfway through the evening, a little group of us got the tired feet and went to lean our butts against a table by the back wall of the Garten. Like birds in a row were perched Bob Bullock, the state comptroller; me; Charlie Miles, a black man who was then head of Bullock's personnel department (and the reason Bullock had such a good record on minority hiring); and Ms. Ann Richards.

Bullock, having been in Texas politics for thirty some-odd years, consequently knew every living sorry, no-account sumbitch who ever held office. A dreadful old racist judge from East Texas came up to him, "Bob, my boy, how are yew?" The two of them commenced to clap one another on the back and have a big greetin'.

"Judge," said Bullock. "I want you to meet my friends. This is Molly Ivins with the Texas Observer."

The judge peered up at me and said, "How yew, little lady?"

"This is Charles Miles, who heads my personnel department." Charlie stuck out his hand and the judge got an expression on his face as though he had just stepped into a fresh cowpie. It took him a long minute before he reached out, barely touched Charlie's hand and said, "How you, boy?" Then he turned with great relief to pretty, blue-eyed Ann Richards and said, "And who is this lovely lady?"

Ann beamed and said, "I am Mrs. Miles."

[pnorman]

22. That is PRICELESS!!!!

N/T (What else is there to say?)

pnorman

[goclark]

26. Love that one ! Luv it!!

The lady was a diamond!

[pnorman]

27. I posted that Ann Richards story on my union BBS.

A response from a friend, who was a a former official of that union, as well a fighter for union democracy in that union (also a frequent reader of DU), was as follows:

"got to meet her a few times, mostly at fundraisers for the Texas Freedom Network, an organization started by her daughter Cecile. Both classy women. Ann had one hell of a ride, and it seems that she really enjoyed every mile of it.

pnorman

[midnight]

31. Ann Richards showed us through example how to deal with those

mean spirited, evil no good republicans/polititions...... What a Lady....

[me b zola]

23. Thanks for the update

I gave up and turned Ring of Fire on the radio. :loveya:

Yes, Ann deserves much better coverage and respect from the media. You know, I've never spoke to any woman who knows who Ann is and isn't inspired by her, who wouldn't like to be like her. Ann was really special and meant alot to so many people like me who never had the privilage to meet her.


:cry:

[wndycty]

24. Photos

Family members of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, accompanied by former President Bill Clinton, follow the flag-draped coffin bearing the former governor toward a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, in Austin, Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety Region III Honor Guard is carrying the casket under a sabre salute. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck, Pool)



Ellen Richards, Dan Richards, Cecile Richards, former President Bill Clinton and Clark Richards, from left, watch Texas state troopers carry the casket of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards up the Capitol steps in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)

You can see the tears in his eyes on this one:



Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks the at the lying in state ceremony for former Texas Governor Anne Richards, September 16, 2006 in the Texas Capitol Rotunda. REUTERS/Peter Silva (UNITED STATES)



Former President Bill Clinton, left, speaks during a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda for former Gov. Ann Richards Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, in Austin, Texas. Richards, known for her frosty white hair and sharp wit, died Wednesday at the age of 73 from esophageal cancer. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck, Pool)

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

25. Thanks for posting these.

[CBHagman]

28. Yes, it helps to see the pictures.

That is very moving, smiles, tears, solemnity and all.

Imagine what heaven is like now that Ann Richards has arrived!

[crossroads]

29. RIP Ann

We will miss you, your courage and wit...
CR

[flyarm]

30. I was so honored to meet this wonderful lady..at the democratic convention

in 2004 in Boston..i met her at the Emilies list Luncheon..she was incredible..and i have pictures with her that i will always treasure.

Rest in Peace dear lady of Texas..and fly with the angels..you will teach them what joy really is..as you were the most joy filled woman i have met.

Bless you, as you go to the other side..we will miss you..


fly

[kiwi]

32. Keeping this where it can be seen by many