Gov. Phil Bredesen made the following statement today on the death of Mrs. Pauline Lafon Gore:
“Today, I join citizens across Tennessee and across our nation in mourning the loss of Pauline Gore and celebrating her life. While Mrs. Gore may have been best known as the mother of former Vice President Al Gore, she was an accomplished and successful person in her own right. As one of the first women to graduate from Vanderbilt University’s law school, Mrs. Gore was an inspiration to young women everywhere.
"In addition, her knowledge of politics and formidable grasp of political strategy made her a powerful weapon in the public service careers of both her husband and son. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gore family today.”
Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Randy Buttons said, “In addition to being a devoted mother and wife to two men with exceptional records of service to the State of Tennessee, Pauline Gore was a true champion for Tennesseans in her own right. While her husband and son were the elected officials, she was the heart and soul of their connection to Tennessee."
Chairman Button added, “She will be sorely missed by all of us. She personally welcomed me to her home when I began helping Al Gore, Jr. and was always a great sounding board for good advice. She taught me what it means to be a Democrat and her profound impact will be felt for years to come.”