On the recordApril 4, 2011
I can't believe that John Adler's life was cut so short. I really want to reach out to Shelley, his children, and his friends. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Adler family. John was a friend, my wife was a friend with his wife, and my daughter was a friend of one of his sons. It is amazing to me that he was able to accomplish so much in the short time that he was here. He grew up in real adversity. He was really kind of a person--I wouldn't say rags to riches, but I would say someone who had a very hard life growing up and at a young age was very successful, went to Harvard undergraduate, Harvard Law School, became a successful attorney, and then became a member of the State Senate for many years and chairman of the State Senate Judiciary Committee before he was elected to Congress. But beyond that, he also had a great sense of humor. I think many of us know many times when we were on the floor and you would go up and ask him about something, and he would tell you a joke or make fun of something. That was another aspect of him that I could certainly never forget. He decided at a young age that he was going to make a life in government. He could have done so many things, made a lot of money, but instead decided to devote his life to politics. My heart goes out to him. I want to remember him as an admirable example for so many of us. ____________________
