Topline
Colleagues and relatives of the late U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid gathered in Las Vegas on Saturday to commemorate the longtime politician at his funeral on Saturday, telling stories about his fighting spirit and loyalty, as well as anecdotes about his time in Congress.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 7: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) speaks to reporters after … [+]
Key Facts
Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer recalled when Reid pulled him into a bathroom for an “important matter,” then handed him a wad of cash, remarking that Schumer was doing the right things to someday become the leader of the Democratic caucus, but “please buy some better shoes.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Reid gave her a “massive [stuffed] bald eagle” after he announced his retirement, and when she asked him where he got it from, he said it flew into a power line so he called it “Sparky.”
Pelosi and President Joe Biden took jabs at Reid’s habit of quickly hanging up on calls without saying goodbye, with Biden joking, “every time I hear a dial tone, I think of Harry.”
Former President Barack Obama – who called Reid “one of the greatest Senate majority leaders of all time” – recalled a dinner at the White House late in his second term where the famously laconic Reid had a sudden uncharacteristic outburst of emotion, telling Obama he was proud of him before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek – Obama exclaimed, “we were all surprised.”
Obama also recalled an instance when Reid, who was 70 at the time, was handed draft remarks referring to himself as a “former boxer” – Reid cut out the word “former.”
Key Background
Reid, who retired from the Senate in 2017, died on December 28 at the age of 82 after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Reid, a boxer in his teenage years, was Nevada’s longest-serving member of Congress, having held his Senate seat from 1987 to 2017. He is also one of the longest-serving Senate majority leaders, having held the position between 2007 and 2015, only behind fellow Democrats Mike Mansfield and Alben W. Barkley.
Further Reading
Harry M. Reid, pugnacious Senate majority leader, dies at 82 (Washington Post)
Harry Reid: Biden, Pelosi, Schumer and Obama attend Nevada memorial (The Guardian)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimberleespeakman/2022/01/08/harry-reid-remembered-five-funny-and-touching-stories-told-at-his-funeral-by-obama-biden-and-others/