Frank E. Moss

Senator Frank E. Moss "Ted" 9/23/11 ~ 1/29/03  Frank Edward Moss, age 91, passed away peacefully January 29, 2003. He was born September 23, 1911 in Holladay to James E. "Jimmy" and Harriet Maud Martin (Nixon) Moss. He married Phyllis Hart June 20, 1934 in the Salt Lake Temple.He graduated from the University of Utah with his BA degree, magna cum laude, in 1933. In 1937, he received his JD degree, cum laude, from George Washington University in Washington, DC. During this same year, he was admitted to the bar and began to work in the General Counsel's Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission and returned to Utah where he was elected City Judge in Salt Lake City beginning in 1940 and ending in 1950, although his terms were interrupted by service in the US Army Air Corps in Europe during World War II. He retired military service as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Beginning in 1950, he was elected Salt Lake County Attorney and served for eight years before his election to the, US Senate, where he served from January 1959 to January 1977. In the United States Senate, Ted was widely respected for his integrity, compassion, intelligence, and judicial temperament. His colleagues referred to him as: "The Conscience of the Senate," and elevated him to the number three-ranking post in the Senate leadership, secretary of the Democratic Caucus. His legislative accomplishments were vast. He sponsored legislation to facilitate nuclear disarmament and he worked for world peace. He was one of the Senate's leading champions of the environment, leading the fight against air and water pollution. He was its foremost conservationist, whose legislation created more national parks than anyone before him or since. He was without peer as a champion for the consumer; most of the major consumer rights legislation enacted in the last half of the 20th century bears his name. In the same way, Ted was a fierce champion of civil rights, women's rights, and of the rights of vulnerable children and the disabled. He won national acclaim for his fight to bring greater dignity and justice to the nation's senior citizens; he was their voice in the Senate. In addition, he fought and won several battles to protect the health of the nation at large, including winning approval of legislation he authored to bar cigarette advertising on television. He led the fight against fraud and waste in government. He made national headlines for his daring firsthand investigation posing as a Medicaid patient in the so-called "Medicaid Mills" or welfare clinics that checker the ghettos of America's major cities. His legislation created the Office of Inspector General in the Department of Health and Human Services and he helped create the Senate Budget Committee in an effort to bring federal spending under control. Finally, he saved the US space program and gave it renewed energy during his distinguished service as chairman of the, Senate Committee on Aeronautics and Space. He continued to serve the nation with vigor after his retirement from the Senate. He served as President of the US Association of Former Members of Congress, as Chairman of the Foundation for Hospice and Homecare. And with Val and Bill Halamandaris, he helped create the Hall of Honor for Congress and founded the Caring Institute, dedicated to the promotion of caring, integrity, and public service. He believed that government service was both a high privilege and a public trust "Whether for the individual or for the nation, self is best served by transcending self," he said. Senator Moss realized his lifelong dream to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Utah and the nation. On September 15, 1990, the gracious and stately Federal Court in Salt Lake City was officially named the Frank E. Moss Courthouse. It was a nation's expression of gratitude to a public servant who had dedicated his life to the law and to his country. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities over the years. Those he taught loved him. He took every opportunity to meet with missionaries and members of the Church as he traveled throughout the world. He took particular pleasure in his efforts to assist the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their world-wide performances. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; four children, Marilyn Armstrong, Edward (Marilyn) Moss, Brian (Carol) Moss all of Salt Lake City; and Gordon Moss of Tampa, Florida; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, four sisters: Gladys, Mildred Wagstaff, Bernice, Afton and two brothers: Wayne and Joseph. The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at Brighton Gardens for their loving and wonderful care. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 3, 2003, at 12 noon at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 East Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held Sunday, February 2, 2003, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and at 10:30 a.m. prior to the services at the Ward. Interment to follow at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to The Caring Institute, 228 7th Street SE, Washington D.C. 20003 Send condolences to www.larkinmortuary.com