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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Idaho Remembers LDS Politician (Idaho honors lawmaker)
Spokane WA Spokesman-Review 15Jan00 P2
Associated Press
Jerry Twiggs remembered as statesman and family man at Blackfoot funeral
BLACKFOOT, IDAHO -- The Idaho Senate's President Pro Tem, Jerry Twiggs,
was eulogized on Friday before 1,400 people paying their respects to the
lawmaker and devoted family man. The LDS Blackfoot West Stake Center was
filled to capacity for Twiggs' funeral, which included a choir of 15 of
his grandchildren, a life sketch from his daughter, and prayers by three
of his sons at his gravesite.
Twiggs died of a heart attack during his morning jog on Monday, January
10th just before the Idaho Legislature was set to convene its 2000
session. Twiggs was 66.
Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne was among those who eulogized Twiggs at
the funeral, "I don't know of a better tribute to him than on the
occasion you bid farewell that the family pays the tribute -- a
successful, beautiful family," said Kempthorne. "If Idaho, America and
the world would look at the family of Jerry Twiggs, they will find the
example of what a family should be." Kempthorne was thinking about
appointing Twiggs Lt. Governor should the current Lt. Governor win a
seat in the U.S. House of Representatives this fall.
Elder Melvin Hammond of the LDS Church's First Quorum of the Seventy,
who also once served in Idaho's legislature, also spoke at the funeral,
"I believe he can see what's happening today; I believe he would be
pleased. He would be delighted. He would probably think there have been
too many nice things said about him."
Also present at the funeral were U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, Idaho Chief
Justice Linda Copple Trout, House Speaker Bruce Newcomb and many other
state legislators and other elected officials -- including the Utah
Senate's president pro tem.
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