SEN. CRAIG THOMAS DEAD AT 74
-- WYOMING’S SENIOR SENATOR SUDDENLY SUCCUMBS TO LEUKEMIA
June 4, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC -- Sen. Craig Thomas, Wyoming’s conservative Republican senator died Monday night after a short fight with leukemia that was diagnosed just last year -- just two days after he was elected for a third term. His wife, Susan, his sons Patrick and Greg, and daughter, Lexie, were by his side at the time of his passing, according to a statement from his office.
   The senator's family said he died Monday night at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The family had announced earlier in the day that Thomas’ cancer had been resistant to a second round of chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia, and that he had developed complications due to a troubling infection.
    Many were shocked by the news of Thomas’ death. In fact, after his first round of chemotherapy, Thomas returned to the Senate in December, a month earlier than expected. This winter he said he felt better than he had in a long time, saying, "I'm resolved to do all I can to keep the leukemia in check," he said then. "I've been feeling very good over the last several months - even returning to my regular morning run. But I've always known that further treatments are common and could periodically be part of this thing." In May, however, he returned to the hospital for a second round of chemotherapy that proved unsuccessful.
   Sen. Mike Enzi said, “I am so stunned. The Senate will not be the same. Craig was the core of our delegation. He was a fierce advocate for Wyoming. He served on the critical Finance Committee and was ranking member of Indian Affairs among others. He made a difference when we served in the Legislature. He filled the Congressional seat held by Dick Cheney. He was my Senior Senator, a confidant, mentor and friend. Diana and I were made to feel a part of Craig and Susan's family. My prayers go out to Susan and their family through these difficult times. I will miss him."
Governor Dave Freudenthal called Thomas' death "a very big loss to the people of this state," saying "he carried the values that we treasure in Wyoming to Washington and had many successes."
   Freudenthal, a Democrat, will appoint a successor from one of three finalists chosen by the state Republican party. That makes it unlikely that a Democrat will be chosen. Peggy Nighswonger, Wyoming's election’s director, said the Governor then has five days to appoint one of the party's three nominees once he receives the names. That representative serves until the next general election in 2008.
   Following the announcement, reaction around Washington and political circles was swift for the quiet but dedicated Wyoming senator. President Bush issued a statement saying that, “Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Wyoming Senator Craig Thomas. During nearly 23 years of public service as a Senator, Congressman, and state legislator, Senator Thomas was a tireless and effective advocate for the people of his beloved home state. He was a man of character and integrity known for his devotion to the values he shared with the people of Wyoming. He leaves a lasting legacy as a guardian of Wyoming's lands and resources and our country's National Parks. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Thomas' wife, Susan, his family, and friends.”
From the Senate Republican Leader came words of praise; "Wyoming had no greater advocate, taxpayers had no greater watchdog, and rural America had no greater defender than Craig Thomas." said Sen. Mitch McConnell.
   Thomas was a low-key lawmaker who stayed out of the Washington lime light and was incredibly effective in representing the interests of Wyoming. Thomas focused on public lands issues, especially our National Parks. He worked in behind-the-scenes posts to oversee National Parks. Craig Thomas was Wyoming’s senior voice in the United States Senate. His efforts in job creation and economic growth were the foundation of his work to improve the quality of life for people in rural America. During his tenure in Congress, he forged a distinguished legislative record on issues as diverse as public land management, agriculture, Indian affairs, fiscal responsibility and rural health care.
   The Thomas record includes authoring, as Chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee, landmark legislation to provide critical funding and management reforms to protect America's national parks into the 21st Century. As a result, his visionary legislation helped to ensure quality visits to our national parks. In addition, the legislation serves to protect natural and cultural resources, and direct new resources to our nation's parks system. Senator Thomas' efforts were routinely recognized by the National Parks and Conservation Association who honored him with their "William Penn Mott, Jr. Park Leadership Award" and subsequently with the National Parks Achievement Award.
   As a senior member of the Senate's influential Finance Committee, he made his mark on issues such as Social Security, trade, rural health care, and tax reform. As co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, Senator Thomas worked successfully to improve health care opportunities for rural families. His legislative initiatives have been instrumental in reforming and strengthening the rural health care infrastructure by encouraging greater equity with urban counterparts, better affordability of services, and by attracting qualified health care professionals.
   Thomas first entered Congress in a special election in 1989 to replace Dick Cheney when the future vice president was named defense secretary by the first President Bush. Thomas won that race with 52 percent of the vote. In 1994, Thomas won his first Senate race by beating former Gov. Mike Sullivan and was re-elected with 74 percent of the vote in 2000 -- one of the largest margins in Wyoming election history. He was re-elected to a third term in 2006 with 70 percent of the vote. Two days later he announced he had cancer. Thomas had previously served five years in the Wyoming Legislature.
   He was born in Cody, Wyo., and was raised on a ranch. For the last ten years Thomas and his family had resided in Casper. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in agriculture, and then served four years in the U.S. Marines. He is survived by his wife, Susan, and four grown children.

SEN. MIKE ENZI ON PASSING OF CRAIG THOMAS
June 07, 2007
Washington, DC - On The Floor of the Senate: “Now, a few months ago, Craig shared his medical situation with us. He was in for another difficult fight but he was used to them. He's been a battler all his life. He took the fierce determination that he learned as a Marine and brought it to this. His latest battle against leukemia, unfortunately, it was a battle this great fighter was not to win. Although that last battle of his life was lost, there were so many victories in his life that we will long remember.
   Craig died as he lived, with his spurs on, fighting for Wyoming to the very end. I'm sure we all have our favorite instant replay memories of Craig and his unique style. I've always believed that you can get a lot done if you don't care who gets the credit -- that was Craig. Never one to seek the limelight or to draw attention to himself. He was the one working in committee to assure that the voice of the Wyoming people and America were heard and heard clearly. For me, I'll always remember Craig's spirit, for his spirit and life was a great illustration of the spirit of Wyoming. His life became a living portrait of the American West. He saw a world from the saddle of his horse and from under the brim of his cowboy hat. He was proud of Wyoming and Wyoming was proud to be represented by him. Craig was my senior senator. He was my confidant, a mentor, but most of all, he was a very good friend. Diana and I will always feel that -- an appreciation for the fact that Craig and Susan made us a part of their family.
   Wyoming is a different place today because of this great loss of ours. There's a great sadness in the state and also a great joy as we celebrate the life of one of our special citizens. He was with us for all too short a time but he'll never be forgotten. I received a book called Give Me Mountains for My Horses by Tom Reed, but what I always ask for is that they give us men to match our mountains and our horses. That would be Craig. I want to share just a little piece of this because I know that Craig's already riding in a far better place. It says, "There's a taste of this place, this time. Nothing is behind you. Everything is ahead.
   But you don't really think about what's ahead. You only think of now, for this partnership you have entered into is one of the moment, of now. Now has you in a saddle on a bay horse heading up a trail of pines and spruce and mountain of supreme and meadow. Behind you connected by only your hand and the lead rope but carrying everything important to you is another bay horse, an almost identical match to the one you're riding. You call them nicknames as if they were human companion padres, drinking buddies. You cluck and coo and talk to them as if they give a damn about what you have to say. You think they do and maybe, just maybe, they do. Right now, they're stepping out, heads nodding down the trail through the stream and all you have to do is ride.
   That evening, as dusk brings the mosquitoes out of the willows, the same dusk that put the horse flies to bed. You choose a camp. It's a good place, save for the bugs, with room for the horses and the broad, deep green meadow and camp back against the lodge poles and your kitchen down always. So you ease off the bay’s back and stretch your muscles with that stiff, good, hard-working feeling and cont’d from page 2 … you begin to unload the pack horse, talking to him, thanking him. In a while, he has on his hobbles and is out there with his buddies snorting contentedly in the tall grass and swishing a long, coal black tail at the mosquitoes. It goes like this for days. The ride, the squeak of the saddle leather, the smell of dust, the taste of it on your tongue, the smell of horse sweat and your own and the soft muzzles muzzling you off a long day. Good camp after good camp. Muscles turning hard. Eyes becoming sharp for wildlife. And riding. Always riding.
   One evening, a big sow grizzly and her cub cross a broad meadow far out there. A tough gal rambling, giving you and your horse a wide berth. But still the binoculars sweat in your hand and your mouth is dry. Boy, what a beautiful animal. The next morning, a moose walks the same path. You haven't seen another human in days, but there's a jet contrail reminding you that yes, this is the modern world. You ride."
    Craig rode the modern world. He worked hard in this body. He would have liked to have been out there in those mountains on those horses enjoying the smells and the sounds. Now he can ride. Ride on, my friend. Ride on. “