"Dorothy Pelote's Christian walk was, no doubt, enhanced by the motto by which she lived-- It is Impossible to Serve God Without Service To Your Fellow Man."

"I had considered it, the possibility of running again. After giving this thoughtful considering, I decided this was something I would like to do again."

"Her dramatic rhetoric and favorable publicity attracted national attention and the admiration of Oklahomans."

"She notes that she served previously during tough economic times. She says some of the best ideas come in hard times, and that working across party lines is a strength for her."

"During her 20 years of service to the people of Alaska, Ramona received numerous awards for outstanding service. A conservative Republican, Ramona believed that as a society, we are responsible for taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves. Ramona made sure everyone she encountered was treated with fairness and dignity. When Ramona gave you her word, you could 'take it to the bank.' Her word was her bond."

"She had compassion for those who called upon her with problems and fought tirelessly to protect the rights of those who were not able to fight alone. ... She played a major role in setting the direction and policy for the state of Alaska."

"She had the influence to do whatever she wanted to do."

"No one knows … but God … how much I might have accomplished for human progress during these 20 years I have been forced into silence … forced into idleness … banished into obscurity dense as the tomb."

"Capps said Barnard’s efforts were a tremendous help to the American Indian people, and she was a champion for American Indian children."

"She was a vigorous proponent of reforms."

"I think gender, racial, and ethnicity representation on courts and on boards is extremely important, because of its impact on inclusiveness and on the understanding that we are all part of the same world and need to have our group represented. Having said that, the more important thing for me in terms of diversity on courts is the diversity of viewpoints."

"I never thought I could be a judge; I didn’t know anybody; I was not politically aware probably as much as I should have been. But I applied anyway, thinking that I could take a year or two as a judge and see the law from that perspective and I could become such a great trial lawyer after that. I got appointed, and I didn’t want to leave the bench at all because I love being a judge. It was a terrific and has been a terrific experience."

"I hope that the world will get better incrementally. As a realist, I doubt that there will be a dramatic breakthrough, though I will certainly embrace it if there is any! I hope we will be able to understand how to communicate better, so that the values that I espouse will be understood by those who don’t seem to have the same values, or those who seem to have the same values, but somehow can’t see that those values are not being advanced."

"It is very limiting to have one life—but I can’t say I’m disappointed in having chosen the law. I love the law, I loved being a lawyer, I love being a judge. I’m not sure I can answer the question of whether or not my experiences as an immigrant or my childhood informed that decision. I don’t consider myself a brilliant person by any means. I’m smart enough, but I’m not the philosopher that I would like to be… But the law ended up being a great fit for me. I love the concept of an organized society where people can interact peacefully with one another."

"She was very supportive of things she felt strongly about"

"I give my soul to God. I bequeath the example of my public life to the youth of the world, praying they may emulate me in dedicating their own lives to securing justice for the poor of their generation, as I did mine."

"I am fortunate to have come from a tri-cultural family, which has helped me to understand different experiences, different points of view."

"This is a sad loss for Martha’s family, her friends and those she served with in public office. Her years of service reflected a commitment to improving the lives of others, including on the local school board, town council, as a Freeholder and in the Legislature. Her work to preserve natural resources and to spur economic growth will have a lasting impact. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Martha’s family and loved ones."

"Martha was a devoted public servant who made a positive impact on all levels of government and people across the state. Her various service efforts gave children and teens a second chance, improved our environment, enhanced agricultural efforts and promoted economic growth. She will be sorely missed."

"She spent time here to celebrate our successes, helped us in the House to make sure education was appropriately funded for all students, helped with fundraising, helped set up a scholarship herself. Most important she believed in us, because her daughter went to school here. She was an active participant as a representative and as a parent."

"Our state has lost a dedicated public official whose service spanned four decades"

"I just felt like Ellen and the community were synonymous many times during those years."

"Ellen was passionate about energy and environmental issues. Going back to when we were first married in 1973; she was always looking for a way to move on those issues. It’s what led directly to her entering politics."

"She was a flat-out good person and a lot of fun to work with, and people are going to benefit from the fruits of her labor for years to come."

"She was a wonderful friend to the Abington School District."

"Newspapers across the country – including the New York Times – heralded the news of her accomplishment, saying she displayed neither “embarrassment” nor “confusion” as she spoke before other delegates, who elegantly referred to her as “The Lady from Clark."

"Had Bob LaFollette become president of the United States, our history today undoubtedly would have been much better."

"We are just beginning to open our eyes in politics, but before long we are going to make ourselves felt, and you can depend on Annie Simms Banks, of Winchester, to do her part for the grand old party."

"Her husband of 36 years, Robert Stiratelli, said that his wife was a very committed advocate of the community."

"It always seemed to me like if there was an event where people needed her support or recognition, she was there. Whether it was Eagle Scout ceremonies, weddings, funerals, speaking at a public event, that was one of her top priorities, to be there."

"Martha led the charge and she convinced us. Hindsight is best, and she was right. Smithville is one of the jewels of the county and thousands of people now enjoy it because of her efforts."

"She threw herself heart and soul into it. She saw a lot of change - it was a fascinating 20 years."

"Jane was a pioneer for women years ahead of everyone else."

"People still said, Oh I wish I could vote for her again."

"The purpose of a name is to designate an individual, and to distinguish that individual from others. I received my law degree and my certificate to practice as Mary Lou Baker. … It might even be considered unsportsmanlike for me to use the name of my husband upon the ballot and thereby borrow from the goodwill established by the name of Capt. Searle H. Matthews."

"Mrs. Baker was highly respected, especially by the older voters who still remembered her."

"Jane was the leader, and she fit the role perfectly."

"My wife, Mary Lou Baker is an excellent housewife, an able lawyer and legislator. She possesses great beauty, poise, charm and friendliness."

"She struck a tone between a concerned mother and resident, and an intelligent person who could accomplish what we needed to accomplish."

"When I began to really feel frightened at work was when it became evident no entity was going to intervene. The judicial system does not seem equipped to handle really bad behavior, so it inadvertently rewards bullying."

"I was going to get a gun or a taser or something. I was going to do something to protect myself."

"My goal is to work with my colleagues on the bench to help drive change to improve service to the public. These reforms include increasing efficiency and saving public resources, while making sure every person served by our court is treated with dignity and respect."

"Baker enjoyed a thriving and prosperous law practice."