Saturday, October 14, 2006
Gerry Studds, 69
I stand for nothing. Hell, it even says it at the top of this blog. I do have the deepest admiration of people that have strong convictions; that have ideals that are for the good of all humans. There are many things out in the world that bother me but I've never really taken a public firm stance. I did march in an anti-war rally back in college but I'm not sure if that counts, I just did it because everyone else on my dorm floor was going. It was the strangest thing though. I was on the side that shouted "Support our Troops. Bring them home!" the opposing side was shouting "Give peace a chance". I guess we wanted the same thing we just couldn't agree on the right slogan.
Congressman Gerry Eastman Studds D-Mass was one of those guys that stood up for many things; most importantly his constituents in the fishing industry, an important economic base in his home state. He was the Chairman of the Fish and Wildlife Subcommittee and was ranking member of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. His passion continued even after his retirement from political life in 1997. In 1996, Congress named a 842-square-mile parcel of land after him in recognition of his work protecting the marine environment. The Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Providencetown, MA is devoted to research and education of marine wildlife.
He was the first openly gay Congressman which he admitted during a 1983 sex scandal involving a 17 year old page. His lifestyle and this scandal did not hurt his political career and was re-elected to Congress even after being censured.
Mr Studds collapsed while walking his dog. It was determined that he had a blood clot in his lung. While he did regain consciousness his condition soon deteriorated after a second blood clot. He is survived by his husband of 2 years whom he married in a ceremony in Massachusetts after the state legalized homosexual marriage.
May 12, 1937 - October 14, 2006 RIP
Labels: 1937 births, 2006 October deaths, activist, blood clot, political
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