From the Salt Lake Tribune:
He was the most high-profile labor leader in a state known for its stiff opposition to unions. He was a Democratic state senator in arguably the most Republican state in the union. He fought for causes that were unpopular among the majority of his colleagues.
Yet it is hard to find anyone who did not like Ed Mayne, the longest-serving state AFL-CIO president in the United States.
Mayne died of cancer at his home Sunday at the age of 62.
I didn't really know Mayne personally; I had only met him, briefly, once. I do, however, have a story to relate that speaks to his generosity.
I was a bright high school student, and by the time I had reached my junior year I figured I was going places. I was a good student with decent grades, great test scores, and an Ok record in debate. In order to improve my chances to get into college, I figured going to one of the summer schools run by colleges was just the thing. One in particular caught my eye: this summer school at Georgetown run by the Junior Statesmen of America.
Attendance, of course, is not cheap. So much so that they include a Fundraising Packet with their other informational materials. Naturally, I applied for the scholarship and didn't get it, so I had to turn to fundraising. Now, IRL I'm a rather shy person, so you can imagine that I'm not very good at asking people for money. I think I may have contacted a dozen people in all. One of my teachers had helped to identify philanthropic individuals in the community to contact, so I had better than zero odds, but none of the people we had brainstormed about I gave any money nor much of a response. At some later point, I figured, "What the Hell, I'll try a couple of politicians. They should be able to see the value in sending someone to a school like that." So, I contacted two State Senators. The result was the only donations I got for my efforts: two from Ed Mayne (one from him, personally, and one from the AFL-CIO) and one from Millie Peterson. It is worth noting that I was not one of Ed Mayne's constituents.
In the end I did get to go, thanks to the generosity of these two and of my parents.
Years later, when I finally met Ed Mayne, I wanted to thank him properly in person. Wouldn't you know it but I felt too awkward about it and let the opportunity pass.
Goodbye, Senator Mayne. You will be missed.