Van Yahres, 81, served 24 years in the House of Delegates representing Charlottesville and Albemarle County through 2005 as a Democrat who chaired the Agriculture Committee but was best known as a progressive voice and a joyful political warrior.
"Mitch was the original progressive," said Larry J. Sabato, founder of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, who had known Van Yahres since he was mayor in 1970. Van Yahres first won a seat on the City Council in 1968 and served eight years.
Just thought it deserved note and I didn't see a diary about it.
True Loss (dkachur - 2/10/2008 2:30:38 AM)
Mitch was truly a statesman in the local Democratic party and an inspiration and mentor to many. His absence will be profoundly felt. Best wishes to Peggy and the rest of the Van Yahres family.
Hopefully this loss will inspire the general assembly to be honorable and productive for the rest of the session. That would be the finest memorial they could possibly offer.
Creigh Deeds on Van Yaheres' Passing (James Martin - 2/10/2008 3:44:58 AM)
"Virginia lost an indefatigable public servant and one of her favorite sons yesterday. When he served in Richmond, former Delegate Mitch Van Yahres was the conscience of the House of Delegates and a leader whom colleagues of all political stripes could turn to for guidance, knowledge and friendship. For me, his career was defined by giving a voice to the voiceless, standing up for those who had no advocate, and above all, putting the moral imperatives of a free society-liberty, justice, and the rule of law for all-before the political necessities of the day. Mitch will certainly be missed, but the shadow cast by a lifetime of service to his Commonwealth has and will continue to inspire the next generation of political leaders for years to come."