Posted on 02/17/2006 4:24:21 PM PST by Reagan Man
The announcement came without fanfare: A one-page news release, e-mailed to media outlets at 4 p.m. Thursday. No advance notice, no speech, no cameras.
Those who know U.S. Rep. Joel Hefley said it was a fitting exit for a man who, over 20 years in Congress, never sought praise or recognition but fought quietly for his constituents and the Army post in his district.
“In Washington, you’ve got some of these personalities, and it’s about how quickly you can get in front of the camera and get someone else out of the way. Joel’s never been one of those,” said Denver-area Congressman Bob Beauprez, a Hefley ally. “He doesn’t care if they don’t build a statue for him.”
Even without a life-size monument of himself,
the 70-year-old has come a long way since his birth in Ardmore, Okla., where he roped calves and rode horses bareback.
Early on, he earned his living painting famous stallions and thoroughbreds and molding wax scenes of the West, casting them in bronze or pewter. He continues to document his world view through hand-drawn political cartoons.
After two years in the state House and eight in the Senate, he won a crowded primary in 1986 to succeed U.S. Rep. Ken Kramer, who lost a bid for U.S. Senate. When Kramer decided two years later that he wanted his old job back, Hefley beat him in his last serious primary.
The early years in Congress were hard on him, he would say. He was a minority-party member, and in his first four years he sponsored just one successful bill — a resolution designating National Visiting Nurse Association Week.
“I don’t know how anyone could stand more than 12 years of this,” Hefley said in 1990. “I don’t know how their families can hold together, I don’t know how their bodies can hold together.”
Hefley has three kids and is married to state Rep. Lynn Hefley, who is prevented from running again by term limits.
After Republicans gained the majority in 1995, Hefley began to make his mark. Congress passed three of his bills in the next session, including elimination of the Interstate Commerce Commission and a military housing privatization act that helped Fort Carson hold its troops.
A member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hefley fought to keep Fort Carson from being closed or down-sized during the first Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission process, and it emerged unscathed. When Defense Secretary William Cohen brought up the possibility of base closures again in 1997, Hefley declared: “Over my dead body.”
“With his experience and tenure, he was able to do things that were very important to retain Fort Carson in Colorado Springs,” former garrison commander and current Economic Development Corp. president Mike Kazmierski said.
Around the same time, though, Hefley caught heat for going back on his proclamation that congressmen should serve no more than six terms. Former state Sen. Bill Hughes challenged him in the 1996 primary, but Hefley swatted him away by a 3-to-1 margin.
Much of his time thereafter was spent toiling in relative anonymity outside the Pikes Peak region, without getting his name in the national press. But colleagues said he developed a reputation as a workhorse with integrity.
What was just as important was what Hefley didn’t develop — a big head. State Rep. Larry Liston, who worked with him on his first campaign, said he’s always been happy with people calling him “Joel” instead of “Congressman.”
“The nicest thing about Joel is he’s never been captured by Washington,” added El Paso County Commissioner Wayne Williams. “He has strongly maintained principles, even if the powers that be had preferred he would not.”
That time came when, as chairman of the House ethics committee, Hefley chastised now-indicted House Majority Leader Tom Delay. Opposing the most powerful man in Congress earned him kudos but cost him his chairmanship.
“People realized he was a guy who did what was right, couldn’t be threatened and was going to call the shots the way he wanted,” said former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong, who held the 5th Congressional District seat from 1973-78.
Hefley allies expressed surprise Thursday about his choice, which he kept largely to himself to the end.
“I’m disappointed, but I understand why he made his decision,” state Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany said. “He will be missed.”
A good man, a good conservative and a loyal Republican. Joel Hefley will be missed. Thank you for 20 great years of service to Colorado and America.
It's usually the good ones who retire. Washington really isn't for them. The RINOs and the Rats stay, and run things.
Can any knowledgeable person tell us whether Hefley's seat is now in danger of going Rat?
HIs seat is the most Republican in Colorado. It went 63% for Bush over Gore. It should stay in the fold.
Joel Hefley averaged like 65% in his ten election wins. Colorado Springs is in El Paso County. Solid GOP, very conservative.
Thanks.
Sounds like this opening is a great opportunity for a young, very conservative guy or gal to serve his/her country. A seat like this should never be wasted on a brain-dead, status-quo, Chamber of Commerce pothole fixer.
You are thinking of Senator Howell Heflin, may he rest in peace.
You owe Mr. Hefley an apology. ;^) Be nice.
Yep, this is my district and we are very conservative.
Where are you located?
I'm in Black Forest, about 7 miles east of the USAFA.
Know it well. Is the Buffalo Chips bar still around?
Don't shortchange him, he toiled 10 additional years in the legislature, too. ;-)
Correctamundo!
Incidently, I live in Monument.
"A good man, a good conservative and a loyal Republican. Joel Hefley will be missed. Thank you for 20 great years of service to Colorado and America."
Nothing to add.
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