Wednesday, March 11, 2009

'Granny D' celebrates 99th birthday

Press Release from Coalition for Open Democracy:

Doris "Granny D" Haddock Celebrates 99th Birthday at State House Today

Concord, NH – Doris "Granny D" Haddock was honored at a belated 99th birthday celebration today in the Executive Council Chamber of the New Hampshire State House. She was born in Laconia, New Hampshire on January 24, 1910.

Former Governor Walter Peterson emceed the event, which included remarks from Governor John Lynch, Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli, Senators Martha Fuller Clark, Molly Kelly, Bette Lasky, House Election Law Committee Chair Jane Clemons, and other elected state officials and members of the public, who read commendations from Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn, U.S. Senators John McCain, Russ Feingold, Arlen Specter, Tom Harken, and Jeanne Shaheen, as well as Representatives Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes, among others.

To a packed room of school children, senators and state representatives and members of the public, Granny D said, "The time for publicly funded elections has come, and people across the country are looking to New Hampshire to help lead the way." She cited a recent national poll by Lake Research Partners that showed 79% of voters think large contributions keep Congress from tackling pressing issues, and 67% support limited public funding for congressional candidates who agree to take no large contributions.

The celebration was sponsored by Coalition for Open Democracy (COD), a nonpartisan coalition of state organizations and individuals dedicated to ensuring integrity, transparency and efficiency in political and legislative processes in New Hampshire and the nation.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn also sent Doris Haddock a greeting for her 99th birthday. Both are strong advocates for campaign finance reform.