State mourns one of its leading senators

Flags throughout the state were lowered to half-staff this week, marking the death on Tuesday, June 23, of Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Thurman G. Adams Jr., a Bridgeville Democrat who had represented the 19th senate legislative district – the towns of Georgetown, Milton, Ellendale, Bridgeville, Greenwood, their environs and the area north of Millsboro – for 37 years.

Adams had served in the senate since 1972. He was the senate majority leader from 1999 to 2002 and had been senate president pro tempore since 2003.

A graduate of Bridgeville High School, with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Delaware, Adams had been serving on the senate’s Agriculture, Ethics, Executive, Judiciary, Legislative Council and Permanent Rules committees during the current legislative session, as well as sponsoring numerous pieces of legislation – including the state’s proposed bond bill for the 2010 fiscal year.

Adams was known for his support of some of the state’s core legislation in his 37 years in the senate, including bills that allow motorists to turn right on red after a stop and to mail in their traffic fines instead of having to immediately appear in court.

He was also the president of feed and grain business T.G. Adams & Sons Inc. of Bridgeville and lived on the hundreds of acres his family has farmed there for generations. He is survived by his daughters Polly and Lynn, as well as seven grandsons, one great-grandson and two great-granddaughters. His wife, Hilda, and son, Brent, predeceased him.

The Sussex County Council held a moment of silence in Adams’ honor during their June 23 meeting, and officials from throughout the state offered high praise for his decades of service to the state.

“Delaware lost one of its most respected and dedicated leaders today,” Gov. Jack Markell said on Tuesday.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Adams’ family during this difficult time. I want to thank them for sharing Sen. Adams with Delaware for so many years as the state is better off as a result of his decades of service. Sen. Adams dedicated most of his life to serving the public and there has not been a law passed in the last 30 years that he did not touch in some way. His legacy will be felt for generations.”

“With the passing of Sen. Thurman Adams today, the Adams’ family, Delaware and the state legislature have lost a true friend who was a strong and trusted leader,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) on Tuesday. “I have served with Thurman for many years - from my time as a state senator through my service as lieutenant governor, governor and a member of the U.S. Congress.

“Over that time, he was unwavering in support for his constituents and has always worked to achieve the greater good for Delaware. His word was his bond and I was able to confide in him many times over the years. Thurman also played a huge part in determining who served in the judiciary and other important posts in Delaware and his strong, positive force in our legislature strengthened our courts and state for many decades.

“His passing will leave a huge hole in the General Assembly at a very important time. He will be deeply missed by many and I will closely hold the memories that I have of him, including several evenings we spent sitting on the porch at Woodburn when I was governor, discussing the events of the day and his beloved Baltimore Orioles. He was a real friend to me over the years and I pass along my deepest sympathy to his daughters Lynn and Polly and the rest of his family.”

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) also mourned the loss of his good friend.

“This is a very sad day for Delaware,” said Carper on Tuesday. “A longtime friend, a lifelong servant of the people, and a Sussex County icon, Thurman Adams will be sorely missed.

“When I was governor, I had the good fortune of working closely with Thurman on many issues. As a legislator and a business owner, Thurman worked tirelessly for the interests of Delaware’s agriculture and business communities. He also understood better than most Delaware’s pre-eminent role in the corporate world, and he had a fierce commitment to our state’s superior judiciary and to standing up for what he believed in most.

“Whether you agreed with Thurman’s politics or not, you respected him. Delaware is a far better place in which to live and work because of Thurman Adams, his stewardship and his steadfast leadership.

“I have fond memories of Thurman. He was often my partner in the egg-toss contest and my host on Governor’s Day at the State Fair. I loved spending the Fourth of July with Thurman and his family after the Bethany Beach parade every year, to name just a few.

“The Executive Committee that he chaired never blocked a single nomination that I sent to the senate as governor. He served this state for 37 years, and for his service we will always be grateful.

“My thoughts are with all who knew him best and loved him most - daughters Polly and Lynn, his seven grandchildren, and those three great-grandchildren. Like those who passed before him, his wonderful wife, Hilda, and their son Brent, I am sure Thurman’s spirit will live on in all of them.”

Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) also had fond memories of Adams and the legislative legend he will leave behind.

“I first met Thurman in 1972 – when he and Joe Biden were both running for the first time – and he’s been a good friend ever since,” said Kaufman on Tuesday. “I had the pleasure of speaking with Thurman yesterday – a final conversation in 37 years of a friendship that I treasured and will sorely miss.

“Over his long and storied career, Thurman built a legendary reputation from all sides. Whatever was said about him, no one ever doubted Thurman’s commitment to the people of Delaware. He always did what he thought was the right thing for our state. It is a sad day for Delaware.”