Leaders praise Britt's legacy

Prominent officials reacted to the sudden death of Prince George's state Sen. Gwendolyn Britt this morning of an apparent stroke or heart failure.

Senate President Mike Miller called it "a tremendous loss not only to her family, but to our family in the State Senate, her constituents in Prince George's County, and to the state of Maryland."

"Her dedication to public service, and leadership on issues such as education, health care, and civil rights was unmatched, and her reputation as a consensus-builder will be sorely missed," he said. "She always had a kind word for everyone and a beautiful smile on her face."

"It seems we are losing far too many of our important and treasured civil rights leaders in recent years," Maryland Democratic Party Chair Michael Cryor said. "And we are greatly sadden to lose yet another."

He continued, "In 2003 Gwendolyn Britt brought decades of significant accomplishment on behalf of equality and justice to the Maryland Senate where her work continued. She was preparing once again to engage those very same issues in 2008."

"She will be missed and remembered as a woman of quiet confidence and endless positive energy born from a strong belief in the dignity of each individual. As tragic as this loss is to her family, friends and the people she represented, Gwendolyn Britt's spirit will remain in the Maryland State House. She is an example of how to forge progress and promote righteousness without animosity in your heart."

UPDATE: Terry Speigner, Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee Chair, has released this statement:

"Senator Britt was a great friend and a tremendous leader of and for Prince George's County. From being a civil rights activist to representing the 47th Legislative District in the State Senate, Senator Britt served with integrity, character, courage and a conviction that guided her actions.

"Whether being a Freedom Rider fighting Jim Crow laws in Mississippi where she spent 40 days in jail for sitting in a whites-only train station waiting room in 1961 or, being the lead Senate sponsor of a bill last year to grant voting rights to ex-felons, Senator Britt was a great leader."