Maria and John Paul

Events sometimes coincide to provide perspective on the world around us. Such was the case a few weeks ago, with one event a tragedy and the other a triumph.

On Sept. 13, Maria Haley died following a brain aneurysm. Haley, who was 70, had served as executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission since 2007. She was one of the first appointments Gov. Mike Beebe made following his November 2006 gubernatorial election.

Having had the opportunity to report on and/or work with AEDC directors since 1994, it became a challenge to remain objective in reporting on the work of Haley. In a word, she was brilliant.

This petite, soft-spoken lady was born in the Philippines a year before the Japanese would begin a brutal three-year occupation of the island nation. She and her family survived and the young Maria became a global student, with experiences and knowledge that gained her a high-level post in the Clinton White House. She later gained unique and invaluable experience at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Immediately prior to returning to Arkansas — she had worked with the state’s economic development agency during Clinton’s years as Governor — she spent almost 6 years working as the top liaison to Asia for Kissinger McLarty Associates — one of the most prestigious consulting firms in the world.

How Beebe convinced Haley to take a cut in pay and prestige and return to Arkansas is a bonafide mystery. But she did. And, as Beebe succinctly noted, Haley “did more for the State of Arkansas than most people will ever know.”

What she did was focus on results. Specifically, she focused her world of experience and contacts and credibility on generating more and better jobs in Arkansas. It is a shame we did not have Maria Haley during years when the national economy was more favorable for those with the job of job recruitment and retention.

With Haley, there were no political games as there often were with other AEDC chiefs. No BS. I personally have never seen someone work so professionally and honestly with elected officials, community leaders and the media. But then again, I’ve never known an AEDC chief who possibly had more connections and global influence than the sitting governor. It is to Beebe’s credit he saw her stature as an asset rather than a threat.

The lesson learned from Haley is the benefit of resourcefully using relationships to deliver results. Those focused on results instead of credit often gain both. Such was the case with Haley.

Just a day after Haley’s death, the University of Arkansas opened for researchers and historians the papers of former U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, R-Harrison.

JPH, who served more than 25 years in Congress, donated more than 1,500 banker boxes of materials to the university. It took librarians more than six years to index the materials. The index is bound in two books that total 904 pages.

There are two things one should know about JPH. The first is that he enjoyed a remarkable reputation and respect in Washington from Democrats and Republicans. As an intern one summer for JPH, a staffer for U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., quizzed during a lunch meeting a group of us interns about our respective bosses. Some big political names were mentioned and I expected no response after noting I was a Hammerschmidt intern. To the contrary. The staffer ended his quizzing of the other interns and began to pepper me with questions about Hammerschmidt. Why is he so popular back in Arkansas? Why does he rarely have a tough re-election race? How is it that he is able to accomplish so much in Washington?

It was then I realized JPH was not just a leader of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation, he was a Congressional leader — even when his party was not in power.

He became respected and influential and productive because he was focused on results instead of credit. Sound familiar?

He worked across party lines, with one of his best friends in Congress being David Pryor, the Arkansas Democrat who moved from the Governor’s office to the U.S House and then the U.S. Senate. Pryor noted during the Sept. 14 UA event that he never heard Hammerschmidt “disparage the name or motive” of a political opponent.

The other thing to know about Hammerschmidt is that he was an environmentalist before we really knew what that meant. Hammerschmidt, early in his Congressional career, pulled off a huge political victory when he was able to have the Buffalo River protected under the designation as a National River — the first river to receive such protection.

Today, Hammerschmidt’s politics wouldn’t stand a chance. He’d be labeled a RINO (Republican In Name Only) for his willingness to work across party lines and in pushing federal action to support the wishes of a few tree huggers who believed a little river in Northwest Arkansas should be preserved for canoeing, hiking, camping and other outdoor uses.

We’d likely not let a Hammerschmidt of today gain the political influence required to build a more than 45-mile stretch of interstate from Alma to Fayetteville.

Haley and Hammerschmidt are indeed a contrast offering similar lessons in leadership.

One reached prominence through political appointment, and the other directly through the ballot box.

One was an adopted Arkansan with a global background, and the other a native Arkansan who worked hard beyond state borders to help his district. And while the infant Maria and her family were struggling in the Philippines, Hammerschmidt was flying cargo plans across “the Hump” just a few hundred miles north in the Burma Theatre. Both, to be sure, were struggling against a common enemy.

But through their various experiences, both were successful because they were and are, at their cores, gracious. Think about that. They were politically powerful, well-connected and in actionable leadership posts, but remained humble and focused. Both were determined to do everything possible for their constituents. They were selfless, dedicated, and unpolluted by rhetoric or inflexible political or personal ideologies. That is true leadership.

And rare.

I fear Haley and Hammerschmidt may be the last of their kind, but hope like hell my fears are unfounded.