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"Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter. From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government." - Daniel Webster

The following excerpts are taken from a 1996 article in the Real Estate Executive.

Before she became involved in politics or was told the difference between competing philosophies, Elizabeth developed a reverence for the idea of individual liberty, private property, and self-government upon which America was founded. A decade long experience in politics drove home the point that politics itself is not the answer to keeping those ideas alive and well. It is, rather, what has been called “the “content of their character”*, - of the people themselves-the respect they have for one another as individuals.

And if character is the foundation, then God Himself is bedrock, “Man must either be governed by God or be ruled by tyrants,” wrote William Penn, a favorite quote that often came to mind during her tenure. Or, if one is tempted to use political power as a vain vehicle of worldly salvation, she has been reminded of Albert J. Nock’s dictum, “If you want to improve the world, then present it with one improved unit.” Unlike many who enjoy elected office over time, Elizabeth never became comfortable with small tyrannies. She knew they added up; she did not make peace with them.

A former colleague laughingly recalled the time when only Elizabeth and two other legislators in the House opposed the so-called Cull Onion Bill, purported to deal with the “proper disposal of cull onions.” In reality, there was no actual mention of “onions” in the bill, but rather it gave broad dictatorial power to the head of the Department of Agriculture. Then there was her opposition to a highly touted bill that supposedly gave people public access to public records. While she agreed with the concept, she found no law precluding such practice. When the bill finally passed, there were so many public records that had been exempted, people ended up with less access than before the law was passed.

In 1990 Elizabeth hosted a radio program called “Legislative Watch” during which she informed people about legislative procedure and how to get involved. She actually read the bills during the broadcast and explained how people could get copies of the bill so that they could be better informed. In 1996 she was part of a television program called “Public Policy, In Context”. During one episode she interviewed legislators who admitted that there were so many bills being considered, they didn’t have time to read them before voting. When she asked how they could vote on a bill they hadn’t read, one legislator replied, “by the seat of our pants”.

For those who have become fortunate enough to know really know Elizabeth, the underlying strength behind her love of people as individuals is her faith in God. She is constant acknowledging it is through His strength that she owes her accomplishments and is offered peace. “God is my refuge” are not mere words to Elizabeth, but a way of life. For all of her titles, designations and accomplishments, when asked what has been most rewarding in her life, she explains, “God has been most generous to me. He has blessed me in ways I don’t fully comprehend. The most precious, for which I thank Him daily, are His grace and my family.”

Elizabeth and her husband, Alan moved to Boise from Canyon County in 1990.

*From Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech.