"Horrible, sad news," said ABC White House correspondent Karen Travers, as tributes poured in about Roberts.
A mentor, a friend, a legend. We will miss you dear Cokie https://t.co/MXBzDbM1qD
— Cecilia Vega (@CeciliaVega) September 17, 2019
Was the first person to come to my office at ABC and greet me. I’ll never forget her graciousness. https://t.co/IdT1gBvywZ
— Kyra Phillips (@KyraPhillips) September 17, 2019
Cokie Roberts was a lion of political journalism. I'm grateful to have had the chance to work with her while at @NPR. Blessings to her family. https://t.co/Z61Qy8EU6q
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) September 17, 2019
.@jonkarl remembers @CokieRoberts: "She was a mentor, a friend, incredibly generous colleague. Just a little over a week ago she took my daughter Emily out to lunch. That was Cokie Roberts — someone who would reach out and mentor young journalists" https://t.co/SEjiCoO52r pic.twitter.com/rhE40Va17m
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) September 17, 2019
While many knew that Cokie was married to veteran political reporter Steve Roberts, her experience in politics came directly from her family - as both of her parents were members of the U.S. House.
Her father, Hale Boggs, might have been Speaker of the House, but a plane he was traveling on in Alaska - disappeared 47 years ago next month - and was never found.
Also aboard was Rep. Nick Begich of Alaska; his son, Mark Begich, would later serve in the U.S. Senate.
When the plane carrying Begich and Boggs disappeared on October 16, 1972, Boggs was House Majority Leader at the time; after his plane was never found, Democrats in the House elected Rep. Tip O'Neill (D-MA) to be the new Majority Leader.
O'Neill would later succeed Rep. Carl Albert (D-OK) as House Speaker.
Boggs was succeeded in his House seat by his wife, Rep. Lindy Boggs (D-LA), the first woman ever elected to Congress in Louisiana.
Lindy Boggs retired after the 1990 elections.
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