*** UPDATE *** Service details…
* Visitation will be from 12 noon-6:00 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary (6601-38th Avenue in Moline) on Saturday & Sunday, November 8 & 9.
* Funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 10, at Sacred Heart Church (1608-13th Street in Moline).
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From the Quad City Times…
Former U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, who has been battling Parkinson’s disease for years, died Wednesday night, according to his longtime friend and district director, Phil Hare.
Evans, who represented the 17th Congressional District in Illinois for 24 years and was a hero of local Democrats on both sides of the Mississippi River, had been living at the Hope Creek Care Center in East Moline. He was 63 years old.
Hare said that he got the call late Wednesday night, and that he had seen Evans as recently as 10 days ago, when retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin also paid a visit.
Evans, a former Marine who won accolades for his work helping veterans who had suffered the effects of Agent Orange, was swept into office in 1982, and he maintained the seat even in the face of stiff Republican challenges in the 1990s.
* A text message early this morning from a pal in organized labor…
Lane Evans passed away yesterday. One of the most inspiring political leaders I have ever known. He dedicated everything he had to the people of Western Illinois. It will be a long time before we see another one like him. Thank heavens for Lane Evans.
Lane surprised the Republicans when he won his first race in 1982. In 1984, he won reelection by the same margin that Ronald Reagan won his district, despite voting against the President more than 90 percent of the time (if memory serves, a higher percentage than any other member except Harold Washington, who was at 100 percent). Those two wins made him a larger than life figure for many Democrats.
He was so successful politically because he never, ever forgot about his district. Unlike a lot of members of that era, he flew home every weekend and had one of the best constituent service operations in all of Congress. And he never forgot who he was and where he came from.
I didn’t always agree with him, but I sure as heck admired him.
* From Cheri Bustos…
Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Lane Evans, who represented for more than 20 years the same Congressional District Bustos is honored to now represent:
“I was saddened to wake this morning to the news that Lane Evans passed away late last night. A native of Rock Island, and a proud Marine Corps veteran, Lane represented everything that is right about public service. He was a champion for our region in the halls of Congress and a strong advocate for veterans and working families across the country. Lane will be sorely missed by all who he touched but his legacy of service will never be forgotten.”
Bustos first got to know Lane Evans when she was a newspaper reporter, covering the region. She last visited him during the summer at Hope Creek, where Lane lived and was cared for.
* Dick Durbin…
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today released the following statement after learning of the death of former Quad Cities Congressman Lane Evans.
“Illinois lost one of its kindest, most caring public servants with the passing of my friend and colleague Lane Evans. When I last visited him, I told him our friend Barack Obama still remembered his quiet courage as a Congressman. I recall our many common causes for veterans and our downstate districts and, of course, our many hard fought campaigns.
“Lane told me years later that it was during a joint appearance in 1996 at a Labor Day parade in Galesburg that he first felt the numbing in his hand which led to his Parkinson’s diagnosis: a disease that trapped his body but never restrained his great spirit. Thank heavens for Lane Evans.”
* Sen. Kirk…
U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the following statement today after the passing of former Illinois Congressman Lane Evans at the age of 63:
“For 24 years, Congressman Lane Evans dedicated his life to serving the people of Illinois. As a Marine, and senior Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Congressman Evans gave a voice to the thousands of Illinois veterans and worked to rid the stigma that often surrounds combat-based injuries. I am grateful for the work he has done to care for our nation’s servicemen and women, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family today.”
* From the White House…
Statement from President Barack Obama on the passing of former Congressman Lane Evans
“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman Lane Evans. Lane was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and dedicated much of his public life to helping his fellow veterans, particularly those who fought in Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange. Lane was one of my earliest supporters when I ran for the Senate, and I was proud to have him by my side when I was elected President. Above all, Lane was an American hero, a dear friend and a beloved public servant of the people of Illinois. Michelle and I extend our thoughts and prayers to Lane’s family and friends, and the people he represented in Congress who loved him so dearly.”
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:16 am:
Living in district seventeen, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Lane Evans from time to time. His concern for veterans and his constituents was second to none. He was a good and honorable man who set an example that every legislator should emulate.
Godspeed, Lane. We’ve missed you.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:18 am:
They should name the bill to raise the minimum wage in his honor.
Lane Evans first ran for Congress with about two dollars to his name.
No one gave him a prayer, except his fellow Catholics across the district on whose couches he slept throughout the campaign.
And once elected, he never, ever waivered from the liberal Catholic principles which drove him every day, earning the deep respect of even those who deeply disagreed.
He was a champion.
- Publius - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:20 am:
Lane was always a family friend and I feel saddened that Parkinson’s took this mans life from us. Had he not have Parkinson’s think of where he might be today. He truly cared about the people and took care of them. One of the true legends
- UISer - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:22 am:
Lane was a giant for the QC area. One of the good ones. Thank heavens for Lane Evans!
- Former Downstater - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:23 am:
One of the best things about Lane was you could disagree with him on some issues, but respect him for who he was and where he stood. I remember working a fundraiser for him once and seeing someone make a donation with a post-it note ATTACHED TO THE CHECK that said “Tell Lane to stop supporting abortion.” But they still wrote that check.
- Stones - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:24 am:
Nice guy who passed way too young. An excellent Congressman who served his constituents well and A good friend to my father. I’m truly sorry to read this news today.
- A.B. - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:24 am:
Rest In Peace, Congressman. Your job is done and you made a difference, thank you.
- Tom Joad - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:28 am:
Lane was always ready to help other candidates even as his health declined and he had trouble walking he continued to campaign for for his district.
- À guy - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:30 am:
He was a true Gentleman of the House. Rest in peace.
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:38 am:
Lane Evans was an inspiration to many. He was always gracious when our group of librarians would meet with him in DC on National Library Legislative Day. There were times when he would apologize for not rising when we entered the room. We all knew he was in pain but he persevered in representing his constituents and others.
He was a good man and suffered greatly with Parkinson’s but kept going.
May he rest in peace.
- Steve Brown - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:41 am:
Lane was a great guy. Proof that you could be a little more liberal that your district IF your help for constituents was ROCK SOLID
RIP and prayers for your family to have strength and comfort
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:46 am:
Great Congressman. Great staff. Like Jerry Costello or Henry Hyde or Bill Lipinski, he WAS his district.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:46 am:
Lane Evans’ long tenure in Congress was a testimony to his care for his constituents. Parkinson’s is one of those life tragedies none of us will ever be able to understand, but anyone who followed Lane’s career was inspired by his courage. For a young man, he had old-fashioned, solid values. God’s rest, Lane.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:51 am:
I may not have agreed on his politics, but I completely respected and admired how he went about his business for his district and the constituents.
My sincere condolences.
- bardo - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:54 am:
Great idea YDD.
This was a man of true conviction and compassion. RIP Lane Evans.
- Law Dude - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:56 am:
The reason why I help elect democrats is because of Rep. Lane Evans. He was an inspiring public servant, even after he started to fight Parkinson’s. R.I.P.
If you are looking for a way to honor him, I found here a kick-starter to fund his biography:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inhumanimal/the-biography-of-lane-evans
- BentheDem - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:59 am:
There isn’t a union hall or democratic party office in the 17th that doesn’t still have a picture of Lane Evans on the wall. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but the ongoing impact he still has on the politics and the people of Western Illinois is tremendous. He was a true inspiration.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 10:00 am:
He was the Paul Simon of the Quad Cities. A good and kind man. I hope he found as much caring as he gave, as he earned every bit of it.
- GV - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 10:01 am:
As a volunteer on Lane’s campaign in 2002 I heard murmurings of this Obama fellow from Chicago that Lane would probably be backing for Senate in 2004. Boy am I glad I followed him! You did good Lane, you did good.
- Anon. - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 10:04 am:
Lane Evans had a driving spirit that propelled him to do good. He was wise enough to keep his emphasis on his constituents .he was strong, where others were week. I’m a Repub., but I never loved or trusted a politician so much. We should all learn from his life.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 10:11 am:
Just a real authentic guy who walked it liked he talked it. A working-class hero whose unabashed liberalism was borne of his roots and his deep faith.
A real gentleman and a tough-as-nails Marine who saw Congress as a place to get things done, not a place to be. He worked it for his district, not for the TV cameras.
I lived in the Quads and covered him during the Reagan Era, and there were plenty of folks there who saw no contradiction being big Reagan and Evans supporters at the same time.
- Quad City Girl - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 10:35 am:
Years ago I was in DC for a National Youth Leadership Conference. The conference scheduled meetings with each participant’s Representative and Senator. I can’t even remember who the Senator from the QC was at that time, since I never got a chance to meet him. Rep. Evans however, not only made the time, but he met me on the House floor and had me sit with him during the last of the voting and debate. Afterwards, he and an aid grabbed lunch with me and we spent over an hour sitting in a room off of the floor eating lunch and just talking. I was 16 and he was so kind and funny and really listened to what I had to say. I had so many questions for him and he took the time to answer every one of them, even the stupid ones. During that conference I had ended up assigned to a very conservative Republican “caucus” even though I am a moderately liberal Democrat and he offered me some great advice on networking and compromising within and outside of my “caucus”. It was clearly advice that he himself had used and it is clear to me why he was as successful as he was, especially across party lines. That meeting was the absolute highlight of the whole conference and it is still the thing I remember most. I was so proud to vote for him two years later. His Parkinson’s was fairly advanced at that point but he was so warm and he ignored it so well that it was so easy to forget about the disease. I always remember the Parkinson’s as an afterthought to what a great person he was and what a great time I had talking with him.
He didn’t have to take the time to meet with me and he certainly didn’t have to spend as much time with me as he did. He must have been so busy that day but he did take the time and those two hours are something that I clearly remember and something that influences me to this day. His kindness, intelligence, sense of humor, and wisdom set the bar for me on what makes a “good” politician. Wonderful man, great statesman. He will be missed.
- HoosierDaddy - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 10:40 am:
RIP. He was a quality legislator and a stand up guy.
- Amalia - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 10:54 am:
First time I met him, talking with Lane Evans at a teeny independent politics meeting in a Loop building is a treasured memory from so long ago. This is a deeply sad loss. Lane Evans was a wonderful public servant.
- downstate demo - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 11:14 am:
Lane was a true Democrat. A real man for the people.Despite his illness he continued to battle for his district. Now, Lane is at peace and is no longer suffering.
- Justbabs - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 11:32 am:
“A.B. - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:24 am: - You made a difference.”
Amen! That is the highest tribute and the truest in this case. I drove from Chicago to attend Lane’s fundraisers a few times. Just because.
- Illinois Manufacturer - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 11:39 am:
Horrible One report said he had Lewy Body. Glad to have had him as congressman . Very sad strange his NH was in the news too
- dupage dan - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 11:40 am:
A decent man by all accounts. A sad day.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 12:25 pm:
Compared to what passes for Congressmen today, Lane Evans was a giant. My hope is that the men and women who serve in that Institution remember his example and try to stand a little taller today and in the future.
- Wickedred - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 2:47 pm:
I no longer live in Illinois, but this was the first thing I saw when I went online today. I worked on many of Lane’s campaigns, going door to door for him. My son worked on many of those with me and grew up learning to live the beliefs of the great man Lane was.
There will never be another legislator able to walk in his footsteps. He was truly a man among men.
Bless you, Lane. May you rest in peace.
- Bill Edley - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 3:06 pm:
What can anyone really say? May God’s mercy grant his tormented body rest and his gentle soul peace.
Lane Evans was the Democratic Party to me. He was intelligent, generous, kind, determined, hard-working, fair, all the attributes of a good man striving to build a better society. And one more, I forgot, fearless. Truly, I thank heaven every day that I knew and worked with Lane.
- Former 17th CD resident - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 6:07 pm:
Sad for the loss of this decent man who lived his principles in representing us. So happy he is released from the suffering of Parkinson’s. I lived in the 17th most of my life, and proudly worked to re-elect him time and again. Knocking doors in one of his last campaigns, I was told by one of Lane’s senior constituents, “I already voted. I wasn’t going to vote for any of ‘em, but then I saw Lane Evans was running again and I went out to vote for him!” So many voter contacts like these from folks who knew he fought for all of us. He came to speak to our union in Springfield and as he was noticed walking up to
the stage during his introduction, folks just stood up and began to applaud. His good works were all the introduction he needed. If there is any justice in the universe, that’s just how he was greeted this morning as he left this world for the next. Rest in peace, Brother, you did good here.
- Freeze up - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:04 pm:
Lane Evans will be missed. He was one of the people I was proud to vote for. He did real good in this world. I admired him greatly.
- Just the Way It Is One - Thursday, Nov 6, 14 @ 9:49 pm:
I remember the day I met the former Congressman many years ago in Peoria at a Seminar. A gentleman, through and through, a Class Act, superb listener, and humble. I was so saddened to learn of this News…thank you for sharing it.
Having another friend who I’ve seen often over the years and who suffers and battles daily with the effects Parkinson’s, I KNOW what a tough row it is to hoe.
May Lane and his Eternal Soul rest in Peace, and my prayers and sympathies are with his Loved Ones and dearest Friends…!
- Stefanie - Friday, Nov 7, 14 @ 4:15 pm:
I have lost my boyfriend in a motorcycle accident this past September. On my birthday on Oct.18th, I went to visit Mr. Evans. He showed so much love and support in his own way to me in this difficult time. I also saw him after I voted about 36 hours before he passed. Keep his causes alive. He has a great soul.