Underscore He also carried a copy of the U.S. Constitution as a tool to help make tough decisions. This philosophy often led him to vote independently from his majority Democratic colleagues, and even from his fellow Republicans. Bartlett says he is most proud of his votes against the stimulus package, corporate bailouts and the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind Act. Bartlett, a conservative Republican with some Libertarian views, is also a staunch believer in conservation. “We’re in total denial in our country; our oil supply will not go on forever,” he states. “I think that … God expects us to be environmentally responsible.”
LEARNING THE VALUE OF COLLABORATION Although an independent thinker, Bartlett says he understood the need to collaborate with others in Congress, an attitude appreciated by his peers. “While Congressman Bartlett and I may have had disagreements on a variety of policy issues, we were still able to work together on areas of common ground. We served together as co-chairs of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus for years, and I always respected his willingness to speak out on the important issues of energy security and climate change,” shares Rep. Chris Van Hollen. Rep. Steny Hoyer agrees and adds, “Although we had differences when it came to policy, he was willing to work across the aisle to address important issues for Maryland families and businesses.” Bartlett explains, “Everyone in Congress fundamentally wants the same thing—safe streets, strong military, etc. … We just have very different ways of getting there.” He jokingly credits his ability to “love the sinner and hate the sin” as the reason he could work so well
The Bartletts enjoy time with some of their grandkids at their farm in Maryland.
with his ideological opposites, like Van Hollen and Rep. Nancy Pelosi. (Pelosi was even his high profile, bipartisan “date” at his last State of the Union address in 2011.) He also credits God and faith for his ability to say the right thing at the right time. “I never prepared a speech when I went somewhere … but would offer a silent prayer, asking for the right words, and they were always there,” Bartlett marvels.
WHAT’S NEXT? Bartlett lost his seat in 2012 after his district was redrawn to include an area of Maryland with more Democrats. He says he won’t run for office again. Instead, he is spending most of his time catching up on the things he neglected for the past 20 years. That list so far includes installing a new wood floor in his attic, fixing drywall in his home, cleaning his two-story greenhouse and mounting 42 solar panels onto his cabin in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Ellen says he hasn’t changed a bit since she’s known him. “He works, works, works; always has to get something done. He has a lot of energy. It’s amazing!” she notes. As a matter of fact, Bartlett says he attempts to spend 12 hours a day working. Right now, part of that time is spent with a company that is developing technology to draw blood with a laser, and with a group dedicated to preserving Second Amendment rights. “I’m very jealous of our civil liberties,” he says.
A Legislative Legacy Roscoe Bartlett spent a majority of his time in Congress working on defense issues, but also helped pass the following legislation: ■ A bill ensuring that all new major surface combatants (aircraft carriers) are nuclear powered, instead of relying on oilers to refuel them. Submarines are already powered for 30 years, says Bartlett. ■ A bill that requires the military to put their retired dogs up for adoption, rather than killing them ■ A bill removing pornography from all military base exchanges (on-base retail stores) ■ A bill that allows homeowners to fly an American flag despite what their local homeowner association states
“This should be very important to Seventh-day Adventists because this is what we fear in the future.” After all of his experiences with some of America’s most powerful people, and being named in 2008 by Slate magazine as one of the 80 most powerful octogenarians in America, Bartlett is humble. “Every day I had to pinch myself [and would think], ‘You’re really in Congress.’ … I was a poor depressionary kid, a farmer, and was lucky enough to go to school and get a doctor’s degree and teach and do research. I just felt that I had been a very fortunate person,” he says.