Ten Things I Learned from Senator Hatch

There has been much written about the legacy and accomplishments of Senator Orrin Hatch. I am not going to recount that history here. I am grateful to have spent a few precious moments with Elaine at the viewing at the Capitol rotunda and to share both joy and sorrow with this wonderful companion of the late Senator. I am grateful to have greeted members of the Senator’s family as well and express my love and appreciation to them as well.

I am not attending the Senator’s funeral. Instead, I will be right where he would want me to be, at my youngest son’s graduation from Utah State University. One thing I know for sure. Orrin Hatch would want me to support my son.

Having known the Senator for over 30 years, I have learned a few things from him that I would like to share with you.

1. Show love. The Senator and Mac Christensen, together, exemplified true brotherly love. They both taught me it is perfectly okay to express that love between men in private and in public. I almost never ended a conversation with either of them without them first telling me they loved me.

2. Express pride in others. The Senator always showed genuine joy in others’ accomplishments and achievements and for the contribution one was making to others. The Senator almost always told me he was proud of me.

3. Keep your word. The Senator kept his word with his colleagues like few others ever had or would. He could be depended upon to keep his word which helped him accomplish more than almost any other Senator in history. Even when a staff member might overstep by making a commitment to one of the Senator’s colleagues, the Senator would consider it his obligation to keep “the word” of his office and to follow through on all promises he or his office made to others.

4. Demonstrate you care/serve others. The Senator would show compassion in words and action. His warm embrace was a comfort to many. He was a truly authentic person in showing how much he cared and paid strict attention to your concerns. The countless beneficiaries of his taking the time to help are extraordinary; many were public like bringing home “hostages” and illegally detained U.S. citizens, but most were quiet, private, caring support and solving problems for others.

5. Embrace diversity. Whether it was befriending Mohammed Ali or buoying up his political opposite, Senator Ted Kennedy, and Senator Hatch reached out and listened to those who believed differently than he did or looked different than he did and thrived among those that pundits would call “odd bedfellows.”

6. Practice Civility. It was a rare sight to see or hear Senator Hatch lose his temper in public because he was the epitome of civility even in difficult discourse. In the one or two times it appeared that his anger was surfacing, it reflected justified righteous indignation towards those who were being dishonest or unfair.

7. Fight for what’s right and for what you believe. Just because you are a gentleman and civil towards others does not mean you're any less of a fighter, all the way. On the contrary, The Senator was able to fight harder for causes precisely because he was considered respectful of others. Sometimes, it is easier to appease than to fight. But, when the issue is important enough, you fight and do not back down.

8. Work Hard. The Senator's accomplishments are both extraordinarily numerous and legendary. They began early in his career with labor reform and continued non-stop until just before his retirement with one of the most important taxation legislation in modern history.

9. Be grateful. The Senator was famous for expressing gratitude. Many a Thanksgiving or other holiday I would receive a phone call from the Senator with a message of personal thanks and gratitude. I know hundreds of others received these phone calls as well, but I still felt appreciated and loved by his generous spirit.

10. Adore those closest to you. Orrin loves Elaine. Yes, loves. In our faith tradition, we look beyond this life and into eternity. I know Orrin will be waiting to embrace Elaine when she is ready to “graduate” from this life. He adored her in this life, and he will adore her in the life ahead. My guess is he is composing a song to welcome her when it is her time to join him.

As I try to live these attributes it will be easy to remember Senator Hatch’s example and influence in my life. His personal impact on my life is his legacy for me.