Former Congressman Bob Franks.
Bob Franks, former Congressman who represented Plainfield before the redistricting after the 2000 Census, passed away suddenly early Saturday from an aggressive cancer only diagnosed in February.
Though he would tell you Bobby Kennedy had been an inspiration, Bob's first great political feat was developing the strategy against Gov. Jim Florio's tax increases that led to a GOP landslide that swept Democrats from power.
Bob represented Plainfield in Congress for four terms in the 1990s. After the 2000 Census, New Jersey's redistricting added Plainfield to the already-safe district of Rep. Frank Pallone.
Plainfielders will remember him as an unfailing gentleman, a true bipartisan eager and willing to work across the aisle with Democrats to foster projects aimed at strengthening New Jersey's economy and prosperity.
He was an old-fashioned New Jersey Republican, the kind whose socially moderate views and fiscal conservatism won many Democratic votes; sadly, this kind of Republican seems to have no place in today's Grand Old Party.
That is a loss to America as great as the loss of Bob Franks is to the residents of New Jersey.
Below are links to various obituaries and assessments of Bob's life and contributions.
- Ledger, Tom Moran: "A personal appreciation of a political gentleman"
- PolitickerNJ --
- Obituary: "Bob Franks dies at 58"
- Statements: "Statements on former Congressman Bob Franks"
- 'Wally Edge': "The Bob Franks Story"
- NYTimes: "Former New Jersey Congressman dies"
-- Dan Damon [follow]
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2 comments:
When Bob Franks represented Plainfield, he made frequent visits to the city. His greatest interests smeemed to be public housing (he wanted more representation of its residents on the governing body) and the Plainfield Health Center (he wanted expanded services). Since I was on both the City Council and the PHC Board at the time, I was often the one selected to do the "dog and pony show", Republicans being in short supply in these venues. He was genuinely concerned about the city, much in the mold of Jack Kemp. He influenced me a great deal. It is a big loss.
Donna Vose
He will be missed.
May He Rest In Peace
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