During a time of tense partisan bickering over the state budget, Democrats and Republicans in the state senate put politics aside for a few moments today to honor the memory of the late Jake Flake, a long-time legislator who passed away last year.

Well, almost.

(SEE UPDATE BELOW)

The occasion was an unveiling on the senate floor of Flake’s bust — a celebration that made for a sober session today. Flake, most recently a Republican senator from Snowflake, was lauded by both sides for his statesman-like approach to politics. He was the rural cowboy who used humor and personality to bridge the divide.

And that meant a recess from the partisan speeches about President Obama, taxes and federal spending that often dominate the senate floor session.

Instead, Sen. Leah Landrum Taylor, D-Phoenix, discussed how Flake was such a gentleman that he often took his suit jacket off and placed it over her shoulders to keep her warm when the A/C was set low in the Capitol. Sen. Thayer Verschoor, R-Mesa, found his voice crack as he fought back tears talking about how Flake shaped his experience in the Legislature.

But first, those on the floor and in the gallery heard from Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson.

Melvin, elected after Flake’s death, didn’t mention the former senator.

Instead, he launched into a criticism of universal health care, which eventually led the Senate president to instruct senators to stick only to honoring Flake.

Specifically, Melvin talked about the “R word” — rationing. That would be the result, he explained, of a federal universal health care system.

“As sure as night will follow day, that’s what will happen in this country if we allow this to pass,” Melvin told the senate in his two and half minute speech.

“I still believe we’ve got the best health care system in the world, the best doctors, the best hospitals, best overall care,” he said. “Hardly a day goes by when I don’t become aware of another miracle.”

Then, Melvin pointed to two former elected officials that are living proof of the quality of the American health care system, in his opinion: Former state Rep. Carol Somers, who he said is in remission from brain cancer, and former Marana Mayor Ora Mae Harn, recovering from Lukemia, according to Melvin.

Melvin questioned whether the two women would be alive today if they received their care in Canada, a country with a universal health care system.

“If they had the unfortunate circumstance of living north of the Canadian border, they probably wouldn’t be alive today,” Melvin said. “So please remember the R word. Rationing. Thank you.”

With that, Senate President Bob Burns advised senators that in making their comments to “restrict them to honoring Jake Flake at this time.”
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Melvin said he felt his comments were appropriate, thinking the tribute to Jake was over when he took the mic. But he said some senators did ask why he made the statements.

Actually, Melvin also introduced two guests in the gallery, the sheriff and a new supervisor from Pinal County, pointing out that they were both Republicans. And Melvin, who met Flake once before his death, said he thought “Jake would have been happy on both subjects” — meaning the health care speech and the introduction of guests.