Andy Jacobs was a great man. He did not accept campaign contributions from PACs or, for that matter from what I remember during his tenure in Congress, anyone. He was re-elected on name-recognition developed from decency and honesty, rare qualities in a member of Congress at any time, but especially during the 1960s and into the 1990s, when he retired from the House of Representatives.
   In high school, I was upset when Andy Jacobs lost his re-election bid in 1972 to Bill Hudnut. Congressman Jacobs had been steam-rolled by the Nixon landslide of 1972. I worked that year, handing out literature in Howard County (Kokomo is the county seat) for the McGovern campaign. When 1974 rolled around, the aftermath of Watergate swept then-Congressman Hudnut from office and Andy Jacobs return to Congress. I do not remember anything of an uncivil nature that arose in either the 1972 or 1974 campaigns between the two candidates.
   When I moved to Indianapolis to attend law school, in 1986, I wrote a letter to Congressman Jacobs, in which I expressed how happy I was to be represented by a person, in Congress, who had principles, in contrast with the person who represented the Congressional District in which I had lived for the greater part of the previous six years. I also expressed my views on United States policy in Central America, noted my agreement with the votes he had cast on issues related to that policy and his votes on other issues, and wished him the best. At most I expected to receive a form letter from his office. Instead, about a week later in the mailbox I had at the dorm, I found a large envelope stuffed into the space.  Inside the envelope was a letter Congressman Jacobs had written to me. He thanked me for the compliments and my support, but he wanted to correct the opinion I had expressed about the member of Congress who previously had represented me. He said he had known that man for years and, while he disagreed with him on many issues, the man was a man of principles. Congressman Jacobs also included materials on the latest legislation proposed on U.S. policy in Central America. I was impressed.
   About two years ago, I mentioned the 1972 and 1974 campaigns to a friend who is active in Democratic Party politics. I said we should have former Mayor Hudnut and former Congressman Andy Jacobs on “Civil Discourse Now” to discuss the nature of political conversation in the these times. She suggested I Mr. Jacobs. She gave me his e-mail address.
   In my e-mail to Mr. Jacobs, I referred to the letter I had received from him some 25 years before. He responded to my e-mail with an invitation to meet with him at his home, not very far from Broad Ripple. Of course he did not remember the letter he had received from me or the letter he had sent in response. He was confined to bed by then. He seemed to have problems with his back. He complimented me, noting that my e-mail had been without grammatical errors. We talked for about an hour-and-a-half. As I left, he gave me a copy of his book, “The 1600 Killers: A Wake-up Call for Congress.”  He autographed the book: “To Mark Small, Indiana’s man of civility, with admiration, Andy Jacobs, Jr.”
   I never asked him if he wanted to be on The Show. I did not think he could get about without discomfort. I didn’t think it appropriate to Skype him from his bed. I am sorry I did not at least invite him onto The Show.
   Andy Jacobs, Jr., was a great man. He did not duck military service during the Korean Police Action. He served as an officer in a front-line unit in the United States Marines, when lieutenants in such units had life expectancies measured in single digits and weeks. He did not accept contributions from PACs or corporations at any time, and he was a member of the Ways and Means Committee, the place where members of Congress go to seek sugar.   
   Indiana has lost a great man and a great Hoosier. I extend condolences to his wife and kids and wish them the best.