Very, very good news! A book has been written about B.T. Collins, an unforgettable man. This book telling B.T.'s story is described at Amazon:
A book about the life of California's maverick politico, B.T. Collins, war hero, public servant, and double amputee. Definitely not a war story, but the story of a warrior, a chronicle of a hero in the making, of courage beyond the battlefield, and a love of country that transcended any political party. Poignant, often hilarious tale of a life lived with gusto, of an American original who touched you to the very raw. Irascible, irreverent,and annoyingly politically incorrect, B.T. made you laugh when you wanted to cry, cry when you had never cried before over things like the "Stars and Stripes" or the "Star Spangled Banner." He was brutally honest and unyielding when it came to principles. No one was ever blase about B.T. Collins.
No one ever was. The man was one of a kind and I am grateful that now we can all read his biography Outrageous Hero: The B.T. Collins Story. At the publisher's Web site, we can also read a book synopsis with many excerpts. I urge you to click on over and read some B.T. Collins stories. Below I have included a short excerpt from when B.T. attended Santa Clara University Law School (my alma mater and where I first met B.T.).
B.T. is chosen by acclamation, rather than academic rank, to be the commencement speaker. He starts by telling stories. The graduates howl with laughter. Behind him the seated monsignors literally slap their scarlet thighs with glee. He pauses; he grows silent; the laughter dies. “Six years ago,” he says softly, “I was lying in a hospital in Vietnam. I was in a lot of pain and I believed I was dying. A friend came to see me and, at the sight of him, I began to cry.” I watch the listeners come unhinged. He has sunk his shining hook and they are goners. "He told me,” he continues, “that it was okay to cry, that there was a long hard road ahead of me. But it has not been hard because of…” He calls out name after name after name. I swear to God, I think the crowd will stand and cheer. But he is not finished with them. He pauses again—a long pause, and leaning across the podium, chin thrust forward, he looks at those tear-stained faces and he smiles. “Now,” he asks, with mock sarcasm, “Is everybody happy?”
Now go read some more B.T.stories and then read the book. You probably will not forget the man. I never will; he is always in my heart.
Washington Post article by Mark Shields about B.T. Collins: "I've Never Liked Any Politician More."
B.T. Collins scholarship at Santa Clara Law School.
B.T. Collins came to Santa Clara as a student after losing a leg and arm as a U.S. Army captain in Vietnam. His optimism and energy transformed many of his classmates. His good humor and generosity endeared him, and his loyalty and strength of character propelled him. He served as Director of the California Conservation Corps and Chief of Staff for Governor Jerry Brown. He also served as Deputy Finance Director, Director of the California Youth Authority, and as an elected member of the California State Assembly. He regarded public service as a privilege, and frequently urged others to "give back." His sudden death in 1993 left some challenges unmet, but also left the most important ingredients needed to meet them: inspiration and integrity.
Note (added November 12, 2008, 9:30 AM Mountain): Article "Story of B.T. Collins - leader and Vietnam vet - a lesson in service" (LoHud.com).
