In tribute of a gentleman

Yesterday, the state laid to rest a former governor that was not only a pioneer for the Republican Party in Louisiana, but also exemplified the best in human character and decorum.

Gov. David Treen may have been the first Republican governor to be elected in this state since Reconstruction, but according to a lot of people, that is not why he will be remembered. Words like gentleman, decent, honorable and integrity have been the norm during the past couple of days as people remembered David Treen and his accomplishments. Even in the rough and tumble world of Louisiana politics, Gov. Treen was always low-key, polite and decent. No matter what side of the political fence you were on, he was always willing to sit down and talk and come to some sort of compromise that would please everybody.

Despite a conservative ideology, the governor was not one to let pedagogy dictate what was good for the state. He understood how important a good education system was for a brighter economic future for the state, and he gave raises to public school teachers who furthered their education. He also knew the importance of a healthy environment and created the Department of Environmental Quality. He was also instrumental in hiring more minorities in the state government. All these things he knew would go a long way in making Louisiana a better place to live.

His decency and quality of forgiveness was demonstrated after he was out of office, and he petitioned the President of the United States to pardon Gov. Edwin Edwards who was serving a sentence on corruption charges. Edwards was probably Treen’s most powerful political enemy, yet Gov. David Treen found it in his heart and soul to seek a pardon for a man who is the antithesis of what he represented. That is true forgiveness.

Alas, in these days of screaming political pundits and mud-slinging political campaigns, it seems that we need more David Treens in government. Rest in peace sir. All hail a decent man.