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Remembering former Sen. Arlen Specter

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    A look back at ex-lawmaker's career

  • Duration 4:14
  • Date

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But a great privilege to -- -- for the last thirty years.

Immigrant traditions of our.

As the longest serving senator from Pennsylvania Arlen Specter described himself as a rugged and years.

Those closest to him said it was a hard worker and intensely loyal.

But that last characterization.

Loyalty that would haunt Specter won his thirty year career in the senate ended.

As the Democrat turned Republican.

Turned Democrat again.

Specter grew up in -- the son of Jewish immigrant parents from Russia he graduated from Yale Law School in 1956.

It was while serving as assistant district attorney in Philadelphia.

That Specter worked on the Warren commission group investigating the assassination of John F.

Kennedy.

He was one of the men who came up with a single bullet theory.

In 196535.

Year old Spector ran for district attorney of -- as a registered Democrat on the Republican ticket.

It was said that the GOP offered him a chance when Democrats balked at his wish to run soon after his victory he officially became a Republican.

-- lost -- bid for mayor in 67 but was reelected as DA he lost his subsequent bid in 1973.

And in the years that followed also lost runs for the US senate and the governor's office and ultimately the presidency in 1996.

Dropping out before the primaries.

But in 1980 -- successfully ran for the senate.

And headed to Washington to begin writing his unmatched legacy in the state of Pennsylvania -- Specter would become.

Most well known for his work on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee.

-- He crossed party lines during the infamous Robert Bork hearings voting against board.

For me it was a very hard decision.

To disagree with my colleagues on the Republican side on this committee -- disagree with -- My president my -- and -- vote against a man who might come to know and a life and respect.

Specter was seen as an important factors and had failed nomination.

As a member or chairman Specter would go -- to be part of thirteen Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Specter was also chairman of the committee when the Patriot Act was signed into law by President Bush although Specter did express some misgivings about.

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee Specter -- to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health.

And propose legislation to cover uninsured Americans long before President Obama perhaps -- -- Specter knew what it was like to face a deadly disease.

-- -- -- and I and he should.

But the medical profession for me excellent care of an arm -- In 2005 he was diagnosed with cancer hodgkin's lymphoma.

He underwent chemotherapy losing his hair the continuing to work.

In 2008 the cancer returned.

And Specter again sought treatment without quitting his job.

Our hero was I'm willing to you.

Subject -- morning on your record in the -- -- -- state senate.

To -- Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate.

That in April 2009 -- he trailed in the polls against a primary challenge from Pat Toomey Specter announced that he was changing -- And -- caucus with the Democrats I'm thrilled to have.

Harlem Democrat called the White House through its full support behind him.

-- inspector would give senate Democrats the sixty votes needed to overcome Republican filibuster.

But in the end congressman Joseph just that wouldn't -- him in the democratic primary care -- great privilege.

To serve the people -- right.

And there's.

Bringing to an end the impassioned.

And sometimes controversial.

Political career of the mighty and Arlen Arlen Specter.

In Washington -- there Fox News.

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