A wonderful legislator
Moscow and the state of Idaho lost a wonderful state legislator when Tom Trail passed away Nov. 2. Tom was a big supporter of public and higher education, agriculture and health care.
Tom was one of a special group of past legislators who listened to their constituents’ concerns and voted accordingly (not voting with a personal agenda). They truly cared about the citizens of Idaho, collaborated on legislation and conducted themselves with dignity. Just some of those past legislators included representatives such as James R. “Doc” Lucas, whose passions were children and schools; Tom Boyd, described as a peacemaker and consensus-builder, fighting for rural school funding and farmers; Shirley Ringo, who fought for public schools and their teachers, health care and the economy. Senators included Norma Dobler, who led the fight for statewide kindergarten, created the displaced homemaker fund and fought for disclosure of campaign contributions; Gary Schroeder, sometimes considered a rebel even by his own Republican Party, but supporting public education and agriculture; Dan Schmidt, an advocate for better health care, public education and government transparency; David Nelson, working for better transportation, education and the health of Idaho’s residents. And all these legislators cared about funding for our public universities and women’s rights.
These elected officials were from different political parties, different religions, different backgrounds. What they had in common was their passion working for the people of our legislative district and the people of Idaho.
I challenge current and future legislators to follow in their path.
Joan Klingler
Moscow
