The influential and tenacious former Senator Arlen Specter died Sunday at age 82. Sen. Specter represented Pennsylvania for over 30 years. He also served as a Republican for much of his tenure.
He was considered a moderate Republican when he switched parties in 2009. Running for a reelection as a Democrat, he went on to lose the Democratic Senate Primary the following year.
Specter died after a battle with a non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
His mark was felt outside the state he represented. A building in Atlanta was named after the senator after making a big difference in DeKalb County.
Former DeKalb County CEO Liane Levetan spoke with FOX 5 News about the former U.S. Senator. She knew the senator personally for many years and told of how he impacted the metro Atlanta area.
Two decades ago, the former CEOs of Home Depot and UPS invited Specter to the CDC to see how they operated. The senator noted the great work being done in less than ideal conditions. At the end of the tour he asked the director of the CDC how much money they needed and then worked to put the much needed funds for the CDC back into the budget.
Because of that, Building 21 on the CDC campus is known as the Arlen Specter Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center.
Specter's funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife Joan, two son's Shanin and Steve, as well as four granddaughters.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:25:16 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:11:47 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:21:22 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. During an emotional sentencing hearing on Friday morning, Parson's mother told the court she still doesn't believe he is the shooter.
