Political Quotes

“this week, my State of Illinois is saying a fond and final farewell to a deeply loved and respected public servant, Larry Walsh. He devoted 50 years of his life to serving, as he called them, the folks back home. He won his first election to the local school board in 1970 at the age of 21. He served in local and county government positions and in the Illinois State Senate. For the last 16 years, Larry was county executive for Will County, the fourth largest county in my State of Illinois and one of the fastest growing. Larry Walsh was as good at retail politics as anybody I have ever seen. He loved politics and he loved people and it showed. People loved him back. Democrats, Republicans, farmers, city folk--they all loved Larry. He was one of the longest serving county executives in Will County history. When he announced last August that he would not run for a fifth term as executive because the cancer he was battling for 5 years was gaining the upper hand, there was hardly a dry eye in the room. Everyone with whom he had worked was saddened by that announcement. He said at that press conference: ``I've been a very blessed man and a very lucky man.'' From where I am sitting, I think the really lucky ones were Larry's folks back home. Also lucky were those who worked with him and called him a friend. I am honored to count myself among them. Lawrence Michael Walsh, born on a farm in Elwood, IL, about 10 miles outside of Joliet.…”