Lawmakers Eulogize Pepper as Champion of Elderly, Poor

In a Baptist church just blocks from one of the poorest sections of Miami, the rich and powerful gathered Sunday to eulogize Rep. Claude Pepper, a champion of the poor and elderly who died as the nation’s oldest congressman.

Four charter buses full of lawmakers gathered inside the Central Baptist Church near Overtown to give praise to the Florida Democrat, who died Tuesday of a heart attack caused by complications from stomach cancer. He was 88.

“I appreciate the dignity Claude Pepper brought to old age,” said the Rev. Steven Kimmel, pastor of the church where Pepper had been a member for decades. “He went a long way to restoring the honor God intended for the old among us.”

His body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington for two days and was sent to Miami for viewing and services. He will be buried today alongside his wife, Mildred, in Oakdale Cemetery in Tallahassee.

Eulogy by Wright

House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) delivered the main eulogy.

“Through a tumultuous century, Claude Pepper was always at the vanguard of true social progress,” Wright said. “He led the way in promoting better relations among the races. He was a New Dealer before there was a New Deal. He was an advocate of Medicare before there was Medicare.

“In an age of cynicism, it’s refreshing to reflect on the life of one who has made such a difference,” said Wright, who resigned his post last week amid charges of ethical misconduct.

“So Claude, old friend, thank you for the sweetness of your friendship and for the inspiration of your example,” Wright said. “Now your race is run and the task is done, your victory won, and from the eternal skies, we know we hear the words: ‘Well done.’ ”

Others spoke of Pepper’s lifelong dedication to creating legislation to help the elderly, the poor and the sick.

‘Passion and Compassion’

Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) said: “I know I speak for millions of Americans when I say that every time I see the combination of passion and compassion, whenever I see true patriotism and true populism, whenever I see dedication and devotion--I’m reminded that Claude was here.”

Gephardt said Pepper introduced in the 1930s the first bill that extended federal medical aid to children, was a supporter of civil rights and women’s rights before they became accepted issues to mainstream Democrats and fought for the elderly until his death.

Pepper had been working on his bill for long-term illness care when he had to be hospitalized for stomach cancer seven weeks ago.