Former Pennsylvania Senator, Arlen Specter, succumbs to cancer.
Press Release and TRT Opinion–
Many are reacting to the passing of former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter. HRC President Chad Griffin issued the following statement on the death of former Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter:
“On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, I extend our condolences to the family of Arlen Specter. His support for repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and passage of the Matthew Shepard hate crimes law was critical. As was his willingness to change his mind and oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 after voting for it in 2004.
“While we disagreed with his support for some conservative judicial nominees which will leave a lasting negative impact on our community, he was willing to work across party lines to get things done.
“I had the opportunity to host him in Los Angeles while working with him on funding for stem cell research at a time when it was difficult for a Republican Senator to speak out.”
Via Twitter, politicians and others expressed their condolences for the loss of the for Senator and his work. To view the comments from the President, Ambassadors, etc., check on Twitter: #ArlenSpecter
Formerly a member of the Republican Party, Specter became a Democrat in 2009. One member of the Republican Party, Ann Coulter, apparently took the occasion to use cruel words towards the late former Senator’s passing.
https://twitter.com/AnnCoulter/status/257567038631989248
Former Senator Specter was instrumental in voting for LGBT issues that created legislation to move this community’s rights forward. Specter died from complications of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, according to a press release from his family. The Funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 16th at Har Zion Temple.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
