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Show October 31, 1972 Utah Woman's Review CALVIN L. RAMPTON-TH- Page 9 E MAN by Michael T. Miller, Press Secretary have been given, probably, the most difficult assignment of my life. This project was to write an article on Governor Calvin L. Rampton. I have spent the past three years writing an occasional speech for the Governor, correspondence for his signature, and trying generally to be of service to one of the most exceptional men I have ever observed in public life. 1 am no novice in observing public officials at all levels of government. For over seven years I worked as a reporter on a television news staff. I have reported and interviewed other Utah Governors, as well as state, county, city, and even federal office holders. I A journalist is trained to be objective, to observe and report facts. By the very nature of the job, he tends to become a pessimist. A journalist, therefore, is not easily swayed into sup- one political party or candidate. In writing about the Gov- ernor, or the Guv as he is most affectionately referred to I realized that it would be easy to establish his credentials for the job. It would be no problem for me to state for the record, his education, his experience, his contributions to the State of Utah and its citizens, during past seven and a half years. I first approached the type- writer with anticipation. How- ever the task, of trying to ex- press on paper what I knew and felt about the Governor became more difficult as the hours and days passed. I drafted paper after paper of concise facts andi the goals achieved by figures the Governors administration. landmark legislation he had initiated. 1 found to my frus-tration that while I could com- one of the most impressive records imaginable, it was more difficult to properly express in words the man who is so es-teemed by us all. I found that as aware as 1 - was of the Governors perfor- - mance over the years, and as devoted as 1 was to him, that even though he had convinced me, the pessimistic reporter, that something new and excit- ingwas happening to Utah, that still it was difficult to find the words to convey what I felt was his most important contri- bution. All my writing failed to express that quality of the man that his staff so idealized. Those words and facts, to-gether, failed to create in my minds eye that man, who has related to the citizen and so easily identified the concerns of his constituents. while 1 beat at the typewriter keys. A portable phonograph g and a half-doze-n Walt Disney storybook records accompanied us. I settled the children in the lobby. The ent minutes and hours passed as I read everything that I had written to date and previously rejected as mediocre, Was far away in other thoughts with words running through my mind. Phrases which I have written weeks ago, now had little appeal when in print. I was aware that Rob and Nicole were squabbling. Nicole was in tears because she want-thes- e ed to hear the I Love Trash song one more time. Robs pati- ence with his little sister had worn thin. I tried to shut them out of my mind, knowing that they would have to, settle this dispute on their own. Back to the problem at hand. Back to the words and facts and back to the 31st un- -' finished draft, I was aware that the Govern-Th- e or who had been working alone in his back office, walked by my door, intent on some pur-pil- e pose. I thought he was off to speak to a luncheon group, I realized a few moments later that the crying of my youngest had stopped. I fought to push the background pap- er out of my thoughts and repri- manded myself for not paying more attention to my children and going out to see how they were doing, As I approached the lobby I'could hear Nicoles throbbing sob which said, youve hurt my feelings. 1 peered around the lobby and there 1 was struck by the most unforgetable; scene of my life, long-playin- sil-porti- ng The Governor was holding Nicole on his lap; her head tucked under his chin. A lone tear glistened on her soft cheek, The Guv rocked slowly back an forth. The record players needle lurched back and forth A dozen times I gave up try- hi a single groove making that ing to write the paper, only to it can try again on a fresh day, after' sound of finality only produce. Rob was sitting on sleeping off my failure of the the couch with his hand, which day before. appeared at that moment to be The weeks came and went, so small, under the large and My inability to find the means slender hand of the Guv s. to express how I felt about him began to cause sleepless nights. The moment seemed to last I began to dread the burrrr of forever. The thought struck me, the motor of the untouched a man with the burdens - the concerns - the desires - of keys of the typewriter. over a million citizens on his One Saturday morning, I shoulders; a man who is whip-- a brought my two children, Rob, sawed between this people s and two year- seven year-olold Nicole, to the office with group for this and another me. 1 packed the usual gear to 'peoples group for that; a man keep .them,J?usy and happy. who listensto those iwho want' d, . r Mr THE "GUV" WITH ROB AND NICOLE MILLER roads built and to those who demand that we do not build roads; a man who hears from others, dont dispoil the land with industry; a man who has seen poverty and is commited to stop it, but is aware that there are many of our citizens who help pay the bills who are no longer willing to participate in this social responsibility -that man with my two small children, has the burden of cleaning up the air, and making the water pure; of fulfilling the desires of a public who want more and better service' from their government while they demand lower taxes; this man who shares everyones dream for safer streets, and better law enforcement; who has to with citizens communicate groups which say, make our streets safe for our children but dont close these dangerous turn lanes because it will hurt our business; a man who is trying to bring government back to the people while the people say government is too big. I watched as a smile began to form at the corner of my daughters lips, and I was aware that this man needs more time to do all that needs to be done. He is what he is, because he will not allow the citizens of this state to relinquish or ignore their social responsibilities. The Guv is capable of transcending the bridges between those youngsters he now communicates with and the elders of this time; between those who have been cast aside home, by society in an old-ag- e or those who were born with disformity of the body, mind or of the heart; between the silent and. the vocal; between those who would savage-out our society and those who have commited themselves to the building of a government run on truth and honesty and service. This man I had so much difficulty in describing in words, is a man, who knows that it can be better. He knows that work can be found for the unemployed. He knows that food can be provided for the hungry, shelter for those who sleep in the rain, and hope for those with none. The burden he carries as Governor, in being statesman, the healer, the mediator, the desire to make our state a better place to live and work in cannot be slipped on at dawn like a coat and cast off at dusk; but, rather, is worn into the restless nights. now that Cal Ramptons real gift as a public servant is that he knows how and what it will take to carry Utah in its rightful place in the Intermountain States. He has the commitment to cause us to share equally in our responsibility. He will not let us forget our heritage, our Christianity for others. He has the will to carry us forward I know despite the negatives among us, the will to encourage us to accept our social duties, realizing that we will be better for it our minds and hearts and our conscience at peace. As my mind focused back on the scene before me, I finally realized the best way to describe what Calvin L. Rampton is, would be to share with you what I saw and felt at that moment. Nicole, my daughter, was now tugging at his sleeve, trying to ask him if he would like to hear her favorite record. Rob ran to put the record on so this new friend could share with them. I looked down at my boss, and his eyes were moist with emotion. It was his way of saying, thank you for accepting me for what I am, a man who heard a small child cry and came to - see why. W . . ITT - .. 3 4 . - |
