Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 17, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke's statement on the death of Missouri Gov. Carnahan

OLYMPIA - In response to last night's plane crash which killed Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, his son Roger and aide Chris Sifford, Gov. Gary Locke said:

"I am very saddened to hear of Gov. Mel Carnahan's death last night. The tragedy is worsened by the deaths of his son and former chief of staff, Chris Sifford.

"Mel Carnahan was one of the most respected governors in the country. I met with him at White House dinners and at other meetings and it was clear Democrats as well as Republicans held him in highest regard for his intelligence and energetic and creative efforts help people in so many ways. He was a national leader in welfare reform and in the creation of new programs to help people obtain and hold meaningful jobs. His influence was felt far beyond the borders of Missouri.

"He also understood the importance of bi-partisan solutions to the difficult problems of our age. The nation will miss Mel Carnahan, a soft-spoken man who expressed his views, and listened carefully to the opinions of others, with courtesy and respect."

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