About Jodie
by December 13, 2009 3:05 pm 63 views
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe’s weekly column and radio address was used to comment on the passing of Jodie Mahony, a legendary Arkansas legislator.
Mahony, who served many successful years as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives and Arkansas Senate, died Dec. 5 after a long bout with cancer. Mahony, who represented the El Dorado area, was always a key figure in championing progressive changes in the state, especially in the area of public education. Mahony was the brother of Emon A. Mahony Jr., a long-time Fort Smith resident — now living in El Dorado — who served as president of Fort Smith-based Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp.
Following are Beebe’s written remarks
Last weekend, Arkansas lost a rare and unique individual. Joseph K. Mahony II was one of those people who needed only one name. When you said "Jodie" in certain circles anywhere in Arkansas, or across the South, everyone knew exactly who you meant. That’s because Jodie spent his life making his name synonymous with righteous causes: education, justice, and speaking up for people who didn’t have a voice to speak for themselves.
For more than 36 years, Jodie represented Union County in the General Assembly, serving his constituents first as state representative, then as state senator, and returning to the House of Representatives until term limits prohibited him from seeking another term. Not to be kept away from the Capitol, he joined the staff of the House in 2007 and continued to focus until his final days on his signature causes. He was smart, tough, quirky, and sometimes abrasive; but above all else, Jodie was passionate. Making Arkansas a better place to live and helping others – especially those who didn’t have his advantages: these were the passions that brought Jodie back to the Capitol day after day, session after session, year after year.
He was born rich. He was well-educated. Jodie could have had any career he wanted, or he could have spent his days hunting and fishing. He chose to spend his life advocating for our children, for the disabled, and for the conservation of our natural resources. He never sought a leadership position, and he never ran for higher office. Jodie went to work for the people of Union County and for the people of Arkansas. And he never quit.
In the past week, much has been written about Jodie’s quick wit, perpetually disheveled appearance, and habit of carrying his notes around the Capitol in an overflowing cardboard box. Every article has mentioned the 1,400 bills Jodie introduced in his career and his tremendous impact as a lawmaker, specifically in the area of education reform and school funding. But Jodie’s legacy is larger than his legend. It’s larger than any single policy he supported or law he wrote.
Jodie personified the concept of citizen-legislator. And in an age where politics and politicians inspire cynicism and skepticism, Jodie was a "public servant" who truly justified the use of that phrase. He served, not for glory or personal gain, but for the chance to make a difference. He excelled at that. He lived for that, and Arkansas is poorer for his loss.
To Jodie’s family — Bettie Anne, sons Joseph and Michael, and grandchildren — know that you are in so many of your fellow Arkansans’ thoughts and prayers. We join you in your sorrow, but we find solace in the fact that Jodie’s contributions and his legacy will live on for generations to come.
When you are known by one name and that name is equated with excellence and a worthy cause, it elevates you to a different plane. It makes you a different person. There’s only one Jodie, and I don’t think we’ll see his like again.