Senate President Bill Cadman lights the first of three candles during his open day speech Jan. 7 in the Colorado Senate. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Senate President Bill Cadman struggled to keep his emotions in check on the opening day of the Colorado Legislature when he lit three candles in honor of lives lost too early.
The first candle he lit Wednesday was for his , who died of cancer when Cadman was 18. The second was for , D-Denver, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2012. The third was for shot to death by a classmate in 2013.
Many were touched by Cadman’s gesture.
“Oh my gosh, that was so beautiful, so tender,” said Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton. “I couldn’t stop crying. It was very emotional. You could hear it in his voice. You could see it on his face.”
Here’s what Cadman had to say when he lit the candles:
About his mother
I would be remiss if I didn’t express my gratitude for my mom, who battled cancer for decades. An amazing woman with a huge heart and a great sense of humor, her wish was to live long enough to watch her three children graduate from high school. She got her wish and passed the year after I graduated. She was 42.
To say she would be proud today is certainly an understatement. But she would not be ecstatic; she was a Democrat, a staunch Democrat, which I learned after equipping her Volkswagen with a “Nixon Now” bumper sticker when I was 12.
About Misner and Sen. Steadman
As wonderful as days like this are with our loved ones, they can be extremely tough for those who have lost theirs. Sadly, someone who would have been standing here today is missing, someone who has been with us in this chamber on many opening days, and other significant days as well.
Sen. Steadman, none of us have forgotten how tough special days can be for you without Dave. Those who knew him continue to miss his smiling face, gleaming eyes and gentle spirit. We know how much you meant to each other. Could you join me in lighting this second candle to honor the life of Dave Misner?
About Claire Davis, another victim of school violence
Many of us attended the celebration of the life of Claire Davis. Please allow me to light the third candle in Claire’s honor. Please join me in welcoming Claire’s parents, Michael and Desiree.
