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Rockefeller to lie in state at capitol Tuesday, Jul 18, 2006 By Doug Thompson Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The body of Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda Wednesday and a memorial service will be held Thursday, his staff announced Monday. Rockefeller, a billionaire who had hoped to follow in his father's footsteps to the governor's office before aborting his campaign for governor last summer to fight a rare blood disorder, died Sunday. He was 57. He is survived by his wife, Lisenne, and eight children. Also Monday, Gov. Mike Huckabee, who would be constitutionally responsible for calling a special election to fill the vacancy left by Rockefeller's death, said he would not make any announcement for at least several days and the state's two major political parties said the matter should wait. The parties "will continue to respect the loss of one of Arkansas' great consequential leaders, Win Rockefeller," state Democratic Party chairman Jason Willett and Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, the state Republican Party chairman, said in a joint statement. "It is evident that many will want to speculate regarding who, what, when and how Win's replacement should be filled. However, we believe that time has not come. Today is not a day for politics as usual," the party leaders said. "Today is a time for reflection and honor for a wonderful human being and his family. Our hearts and prayers continue to be with Lisenne and the Rockefeller family in this time." Rockefeller's body will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, where Rockefeller was a member. Rockefeller was the son of former Republican Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller, who served two terms from 1967-1971. He was elected lieutenant governor in a 1996 special election and re-elected to two full terms. Prevented by term limits from seeking re-election this year, he announced his candidacy for governor in February 2005 but dropped out five months later, saying he had been diagnosed with an unclassified myeloproliferative disorder and would undergo a bone marrow transplant. Two transplants, conducted in October and February through the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, were unsuccessful. Rockefeller returned to Arkansas on July 8 and was admitted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He died quietly Sunday with his family present. "He was a good man and a fine public servant who loved his family and served his state with passion, conviction and humility. I will miss him," former President Clinton said Monday. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., called Rockefeller was a true humanitarian, and she praised his work on issues involving law enforcement and children. "He was a wealthy man who didn't have to perform public service," the senator said. "Our state is fortunate to have been the object of his good works. My thoughts and prayers are with the Rockefeller family." The issue of Rockefeller's succession raises complications, state attorney general's office spokesman Matt DeCample said Monday. State law requires the governor to send out notice of a special election to the state's major parties, but does not give a deadline for the notice. "There are deadlines for everything else, but not for that," DeCample said. Vacancies in the past have been filled by setting a general election the same day as the November general election, enabling the state to avoid the expense of holding a special election for a temporary officeholder who would have to give up the office to the general election winner in January. The winner of a special election that is simultaneous with the November general election is sworn in after the vote is certified, taking office in November. However, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor is state Sen. Jim Holt of Springdale. Holt's status as a sitting member of the Legislature means he is not eligible to enter a special election race that would put him in office before his current Senate term expires, even if he resigned from the Senate, DeCample said. |
