Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy
On The Passing Of Former Senator Robert T. Stafford
Saturday, December 23, 2006

Bob Stafford was a gentle giant.

He was a patriot, in the finest tradition of the Greatest Generation.  He touched the lives of millions of ordinary Americans through his leadership on education and environmental policy, in the finest tradition of public service.  And he gave the nation a lifelong lesson in civility and decency, in the finest tradition of his beloved Vermont.

Bob Stafford’s vision and skill earned our respect and admiration, but his personality and character won our love.  Bob was a mentor, a colleague and a dear friend.  He took me under his wing during those early years and was enormously helpful to me, his younger, far less experienced junior colleague.  Bob and Helen’s kindness extended far beyond the confines of the Senate office buildings.  Helen offered to baby sit our children when Marcelle and I were so new in town that we had nowhere to turn for child care.  Our friendship continued throughout the years and we have many fond memories of visiting their home on Sugar Hill Road.

Marcelle and I join all Vermonters, the Senate, and the nation in offering our condolences and our abiding respect to his wife Helen, their daughters, and their daughters’ families.

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