Posted on 09/16/2006 11:24:44 AM PDT by oxcart
AUSTIN — Former President Bill Clinton tearfully escorted a flag-draped casket today carrying ex-Gov. Ann Richards into the state Capitol, where she will spend the next two days lying in state before her funeral and burial. ADVERTISEMENT
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.
"In this case, goodbye is also a celebration, because of the big things that Ann Richards did," Clinton said.
A Texas Department of Public Safety honor guard rolled the casket into the Capitol rotunda, followed by Clinton and Richards' daughter, Cecile, as a girl's choir sang a hymn from a gallery above. Across the rotunda, Richard's painting hung next to one of President Bush, her successor as Texas governor, in its place among all their predecessors. Her portrait was draped in black..
Clinton called Richards "Texas on parade."
"For 30-plus years, that is certainly what she was to me and Hillary," he said. "First she was big: big hair, big bright eyes, big blinding smile. She also had a big heart, big dreams, big, big dreams."
During her one term as governor from 1991-95 she championed what she called the "New Texas," appointing more women and minorities to state posts than any of her predecessors.
He described the world that Richards wanted for her grandchildren as one "where young girls grew up to be scientists, engineers, police officers and teachers ... where the dreams and the spirit were as big as the sky in her beloved home."
When Clinton finished speaking, Richards' daughter, Ellen, cried as she thanked him for attending and for "all the great times that you shared with our mom."
Clinton paused for a moment beside the casket, then greeted family members, hugging or shaking hands with each one in attendance. At one point, he bent down to comfort Richards' 8-year-old grandson Wyatt, who broke down in sobs.
Richards is survived by her four children — Cecile, Daniel, Clark and Ellen Richards; their spouses and eight grandchildren.
Check out the autors last name.
Well, I see Clinton has managed to turn a funeral into all about himself. Can I throw up now?
"Castro"--what about it?
She was a character! RIP
I cannot believe this guy. He makes me sick.
I feel bad for the Richards family.
Do you think Bubba invited himself for a photo op?
I do ,the man has absolutely no shame whatsoever.
What's BJ doing? Picking up loose change?
When kkklinton and kkkarter went to Mrs. King's funeral, they blasted President Bush, think they will do the same here?
you beat me to it damn it!
I wonder if Ann will still vote.
I heard that he said "I'd do her dead if no one was looking"
Services and memorials
Friday, September 15, 2006
Memorials
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders through the Austin Community Foundation, P.O. Box 5159, Austin, TX 78763, (512) 472-4483, or online: www.austincommunityfoundation.org.
• Send written condolences to Richards' family in care of Barbara Chapman, Public Strategies, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 1200, Austin, TX 78701
Visitation
Richards' body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
President Clinton is expected to pay his respects Saturday morning.
Public memorial service
Noon Monday, Erwin Center, University of Texas campus
U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and syndicated columnist Liz Smith, a longtime Richards friend, are slated to deliver eulogies, along with Henry Cisneros, former San Antonio mayor and past U.S. secretary of housing and urban development; and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, who served as Richards' secretary of state when she was governor.
Private burial
A private ceremony will be held at an unspecified time at the Texas State Cemetery.
President Bush was remarkably gracious and kind to Ann Richards' memory yesterday in his press conference.
The best thing Ann Richards ever did was that Super Bowl commercial with Mario Cuomo (for Doritos?) after they were both political has-beens.
Is that an intern behind the bent one? And why is she smiling?
I heard the family wanted it to be closed-casket so Willy wouldn't be tempted to cop a feel.
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