Political Quotes

“I rise this afternoon to say one word in celebrating the life and mourning the passing of Frank C. Gorrell, one of Tennessee's most eminent statesmen and celebrated citizens. That word is--``magnificent.'' I cannot say ``magnificent'' as Frank Gorrell did, and he said it often, every time anyone asked how he was or how things were going. But I do not need to imitate his thundering good cheer and contagious conviction. The halls of the Tennessee legislature will always echo with his voice and his trademark reply--magnificent. Frank died March 12. That is a simple fact, as are the bare facts of all our lives. And, as is always the case, the facts do not capture the quality of his service to Tennessee and the caliber of commitment that he brought to every task. He was a gifted attorney and senior partner in one of the South's most prominent law firms. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee for 5 years and a State senator for 9. He once said that he left public office because people were starting to call him a politician. Any of us would be honored to be called a politician if we could be compared to Frank Gorrell. Even when Frank left public office, he never left public service. He remained an earnest advocate for public interests and was confidant to Tennessee's highest State leaders, including Gov. Ned McWherter, Vice President Al Gore, and Senator Jim Sasser. I knew him in all those roles, but I knew him best as my friend.”