Rep. John Buckner, D-Aurora, passed away today after a brief respiratory illness that pulled him out of the legislature in the final weeks of the session. Fellow lawmakers responded on Twitter.
Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of @BucknerHD40 A great statesman & voice of clarity. Will b missed #Coleg pic.twitter.com/efUvjhSa7T
— Rhonda Fields (@reprhondafields) May 29, 2015
Buckner, a former educator of 40 years, was the chair of the House Education Committee and one of the early architects of this year’s standardized-testing-reduction grand compromise.
The House Education Cmte has lost its chairman; we’ve all lost a friend and statesman. RIP Rep. John Buckner. #coleg https://t.co/nzxUkCBpc2
— Pat Steadman (@PatSteadman) May 29, 2015
Just desolated at the passing of Rep. John Buckner. A strong leader who wanted to help kids get a great education. pic.twitter.com/OBJn3XTUUV
— Jessie Danielson (@jessiedanielson) May 29, 2015
Buckner was a strong advocate for public education and civic life.
.@BucknerHD40 You were a gentle fierce spirit. Gentle till you needed to be fierce. Graceful while fighting for what’s right. #coleg
— Linda Newell (@SenNewell) May 29, 2015
“Government should be an active participant in the creation of opportunities. I am wholly confident in the American system and … I believe that collectively, we are much better than we are individually,” Buckner said in his first 2012 bid for office, according to the Aurora Sentinel.
Buckner chats with school kids, as he did for decades. Image via Rep. Jessie Danielson.
