by Don C. Brunell
President, Association of
Washington Business

Earlier this year when King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng died unexpectedly of a heart attack, it shook western Washington. On Sept. 5, when the news spread that former Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn suddenly died from a pulmonary embolism, it stopped everyone in their tracks.
How could two icons in public life with years to live swiftly disappear? Its a shock, but not a question for us to answer. The only thing we can do is emulate their good qualities and learn from their legacies.
Norm Maleng was a pleasant and respectful public servant. He was unabashed in his love for his family, his state, the people he served and his job. He had a gentle toughness and would swallow his words to do what was in the public interest.
Case in point. Norm Maleng initially demanded the death penalty for convicted Green River murderer Gary Ridgeway during a widely publicized news conference. After a stalemate, the only way he could get Ridgeway to show authorities where he left his victims and bring closure for the families of those missing victims was to take the death penalty off the table. He did and took political heat for it.
Jennifer Dunn always had a kind word and a gentle smile even if she thought someone was all wet. She found ways to complement people even for the smallest things and make them feel as though they were having a fence-line conversation with a neighbor. Like Maleng, Dunn loved her family, the nation she served and the job she was elected to do.
She took risks. For example, even though an unsuccessful challenge to then House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, would put an end to her chances to break through the glass ceiling and become the first woman in Congress to reach that level of leadership, she threw her hat in the ring.
In 1998, at the height of her power and having never suffered political defeat, she suffered her first. She finished third behind Armey and former Seahawk wide receiver Steve Largent, then an Oklahoma GOP congressman.
Now that both are gone, here are 10 parts of the legacy these two gentle people left behind.
First, they loved their families and put them at the center of their lives.
Second, they cared more about the people they served than the position they held.
Third, they stood for what they believed in, even if it meant they would be lambasted.
Fourth, they could disagree without being disagreeable. They did not take things personally and did not personalize differences. They had a unique ability to put themselves in the other persons shoes.
Fifth, they were good listeners as well as persuasive orators.
Sixth, they were positive and worked through difficult situations by attacking the problem rather than ripping apart others.
Seventh, both had infectious smiles and a good sense of humor.
Eighth, they were self-made humble people with old-fashioned manners and a sense of common decency. They worked hard and had the courage to take risks.
Ninth, they took responsibility for their actions. If something went awry, they accepted the blame rather than dodging it with an arsenal of excuses. They looked forward to working to fix the problem.
Tenth, they were gracious in victory and defeat.
Maleng and Dunn were stalwarts among Washington public servants. They rank right up there with Sen. Henry Scoop Jackson, who incidentally died suddenly on Sept. 1, 1983.
Their passing leaves a huge hole in politics at a time when our politics desperately needs gentle people, civil discourse and elected officials who inspire people to respect our system of government and way of life.
Hopefully, as the 2008 elections approach, their gentle spirits will permeate the campaigns and the candidates.