Kempthorne was a true Idaho gem

Dirk Kempthorne was one of the good guys. 

Humble, graceful, intelligent and kind are a few of the words that come to mind when talking about him. He was a soft-spoken, even eloquent, and yet one of Idaho's strongest advocates. There is no doubt the Gem State was and is better off thanks to his leadership and his ways of making everyone around him feel important.

The former Idaho governor died at 74 on Friday after a battle with colon cancer. Praise poured in from around the state and the country for good reason. Consider his career that included two terms as Boise's mayor; a term in the U.S. Senate and two terms as Idaho's governor. He also went on to serve as secretary of Interior for President George W. Bush. 

It wasn't his personality that earned him all those prestigious posts. It was that the University of Idaho graduate was an effective leader who knew how to get things done and was gifted at uniting people — which was because he listened to them.

In case you were wondering what Kempthorne was able to get done, here are just a few accomplishments:

• Revitalized Boise’s downtown area and was a force behind the completion of the Boise Centre in 1990. 

• While serving in the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 1999, the Republican wrote two key pieces of legislation. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 barred unfunded federal mandates for state and local government. He also significantly revised the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1996, which allows the Environmental Protection Agency to establish minimum, health-related standards for public water systems to guard against contaminants.

Kempthorne served as governor from 1999 to 2006. During his administration, Idaho passed legislation implementing the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles, which allow participating states to immediately fund and begin work on transportation projects that are anticipated to receive federal funding, speeding up transportation infrastructure development.

As governor, Kempthorne also signed the 2004 Snake River Water Rights Agreement, resolving the Nez Perce Tribe’s water-rights claims and providing the Idaho Water Resources Board with minimum stream flow water rights to protect Idaho’s fish, including steelhead, salmon and bull trout. 

Quite a career from one man from Idaho.

Here is what U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said about him:

“Gov. Kempthorne’s leadership and vision helped shape the state of Idaho for generations. From his time as mayor of Boise to his tenure as governor, and later, U.S. secretary of the Interior, he worked tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty and resources that define Idaho and the American West. His legacy is rooted in public service, with a decades-long body of work dedicated to improving the lives of others."

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) had this to say:

“Dirk's career was a testament to selfless dedication, from the halls of local government as mayor and governor to national service as senator and secretary. I join Idahoans today in mourning the loss of Dirk, but also feel immense gratitude for his decades of service, loyalty and the lasting impact he has had on Idaho and America.”

U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho) issued a statement describing Kempthorne as a “trusted mentor” and “devoted public servant.” 

“I will always cherish his wisdom, steadfast friendship and Christian example," Fulcher said.

We could go on about Dirk Kempthorne, but we won't. The words of Idaho's leaders provide the tribute he so well deserves. 

We will say the world could use more people like him.