by Sen. Jamie Pedersen (thanks to Mary Jane P.)
Dear friends and neighbors,
Many of us are still trying to process the sudden passing of Frank Chopp. Frank was one of a kind: a community organizer, strategist, and statesman who cared deeply for our community in the 43rd Legislative District and for people across the state. I had the good fortune to work closely with Frank for the last 19 years. As a seatmate, mentor, and friend, Frank had a profound impact on my life and career in public service. I will miss him immensely.
This afternoon we observed a moment of silence on the Senate floor to honor his extraordinary life. Last year, as Frank was preparing to retire, I shared my reflections on his remarkable career in the Legislature. You can read that here.
Frank’s wife Nancy summed up what we all loved about Frank in a letter to legislators and staff this morning: “His intellectual curiosity was as boundless as his energy. He woke up each day with a passion to solve problems and improve people’s lives. It was an honor to be around all that creativity and optimism.”
Best wishes,
Jamie