Almanac: At the Capitol

This morning Sen. Dallas Sams passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul. He served for 16 years in the Senate and was defeated by Republican Bill Ingebrigtsen in the fall election. Today was a sad day at the Capitol. Many crusty veteran lawmakers were reduced to tears. It's a day when party, chamber, caucus don't matter. Republicans, Democrats, Representatives and Senators all come together to mourn. I talked to the guy who often held the gavel with Sams in conference committees Rep. Dennis Ozment. I think I was one of the first reporters to approach Ozment after he heard the news. He told me through tears that he wasn't sure he could do the interview. I asked him if he would try and he fought back the tears to say they were of opposite parties, opposite positions, but together they got the job done. Ozment said "Dallas made it great working around here" and he will be missed. About an hour later, Ozment ran up to me in the hallway and shared of photo of him and Sams holding a gavel together with an inscription from the senator about bi-partisanship. Conservative Democratic Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba said "we were like brother and sister" in her remembrance on the House floor. Sams' biggest quest was passage of a constitutional amendment dedicating a fraction of the sales tax to the environment. If it is ever passed, it will be his legacy. Sen. Sams battled brain cancer for two years. Stories often circulated that Republicans would regularly take shifts driving the Democrat to his doctor's appointments out of town. It helps you remember the humanity behind the lawmakers. The Staples High School Gym will house his visitation from 4-8pm Friday and the funeral at the same location at 11am Saturday.