Florida lawmakers in both parties are mourning the death of longtime Florida Republican Congressman Clay Shaw. Back in Florida Shaw was known for bringing home the bacon. He secured increased federal funding for Interstate 595 and the state legislature even named a bridge after him in Ft. Lauderdale.
But here in the nation’s capital Shaw is being remembered for his ability to see past party labels and build consensus – two qualities that are rarely on display in today’s Washington. While South Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Shultz sat on the opposite side of the aisle as Shaw, she says he still extended a helping hand to her.
“He was very welcoming when I first came to Congress and let me use his office space because freshmen members are forlorn. He was really a decent gentleman", Wasserman-Shultz said. "He really was.”
Shaw served twenty six years in Washington until he was defeated in 2006. South Florida Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart issued a statement calling Shaw “the dean of Florida’s Congressional delegation” and adding, he “was a mentor and friend to all.”