Jim McClure’s widow, Louise, was in the VIP gallery for Monday’s memorial, along with their son, Ken, and daughter-in-law Sally.
McClure served in the Idaho Senate from 1960-66 and 24 years in Congress, rising to chair of the Energy Committee. He died in February 2011 at the age of 86, after a series of strokes.
Also remembered Monday were late-Sens. Kenneth Bradshaw, Vearl Crystal, Don Mackin, “Is” Merrill and William Crutcher.
Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, noted McClure’s humility, hard work and humor, including a potato anecdote involving Sen. Ed Muskie, D-Maine.
McClure and Muskie were discussing how students were let out of school during harvest. McClure said Idaho students had to reach junior high before they could enter the fields. “Idaho potatoes are so big it would hurt the smaller children to lift them,” he told Muskie.
Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, got to know McClure when both served on the University of Idaho Law School Advisory Council. Jim and Louise McClure met at the U of I.
When Davis joined, McClure was an emeritus member. “That means we don’t expect you to show up, but please make sure you send your annual check.”
Instead, McClure was a regular. “He was a gracious pragmatist, that is, identify the problem and let’s just solve the problem,” Davis said.
Sen. Denton Darrington, R-Declo, recalled Louise McClure describing national politics. Said Mrs. McClure, “The highs are higher and the lows are lower than any other endeavor, but the highs are worth it.”
Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, was an intern on the McClure staff. “He was an honest man. He was a wise man. He was a humble man,” he said.
Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, spoke of Sen. McClure’s nominating her husband, Edward, to be a U.S. District judge, where he still serves. Next year, Lodge will mark 50 years as a state and federal judge.
McClure had Ivy League-educated lawyers to choose from, but, “Jim McClure looked to the U of I Law School and a cowboy judge from Canyon County to fill that position, and our family is eternally grateful.”
Lt. Gov. Brad Little, another McClure intern, recalled being assigned to unravel complicated revisions in dairy policy, only to have to admit to an unhappy McClure he didn’t understand it.
But during the debate, Sen. Herman Talmadge, D-Ga., said that “nobody” understood the dairy provisions, giving Little heart.
“I was just beaming when McClure came off the floor and he said, ‘That’s still no excuse.’ ”
Said Sen. Dean Cameron, R-Rupert: “His is an example for all of us to emulate. He is a true Idaho icon.”
Dan Popkey: 377-6438
