More than half of the conversations I had with Congressman Brooks would end up on the cutting room floor. We share some of the same values when it comes to describing certain people or inanimate objects. That’s why I liked him so much. He didn’t mind outlining someone’s heritage.  Various parts of the body made their way into his dialogue. I am not making light of his wonderful accomplishments. All of southeast Texas owes an overwhelming amount of gratitude to the fireball of a legislator that saved Port Arthur (literally) and did great work for Beaumont and all of our area as well as for his fellow man. Everyone was equal in Jack’s line of sight. Everyone counted and if you weren’t on his team it was because you couldn’t bring yourself around to the knowledge that he “had your back”. He went quietly in ’95 after distinguished service that spanned more than four decades. It was the gun issue that got him. Looking back he was probably ready to rest but would have loved to have dictated the terms. I always wanted to let him do 30 minutes on my show but in retrospect, half of it would have had to been deleted. Maybe that’s why he was so strong for so long. What you saw is what you got. And with Jack Brooks you got a lot.