Legislating to the End: Rep. Renny Cushing Dies 5 Days After Leave.

• Author: Ryckman, Lisa
• Position: Robert Cushing Jr.

Robert Cushing Sr. was murdered in 1988 by a cop with a grudge.

But his eldest son held none. When others suggested the killer should pay with his life, Robert "Renny" Cushing Jr. said he was honoring his father's memory by working as a state representative to abolish the death penalty in New Hampshire.

"If we let those who kill turn us into killers, then evil triumphs--and we all lose," Cushing said. "That does nothing to bring back our loved ones. All it does is widen the circle of violence."

Thirty years after his father's death, Cushing finally succeeded. A bipartisan vote overrode

Gov. Chris Sununu's veto in 2019 to make New Hampshire the 21st state to end the death penalty.

Cushing died at his home on March 7, just five days after taking a leave as House Democratic leader because of advanced prostate cancer. He was 69.

Cushing was born in Portsmouth, N.H., one of eight children. His parents were both teachers.

He was a founding member of the Clamshell Alliance, formed in the mid-1970s to oppose the Seabrook Nuclear Power Station. In 1998, Cushing became executive director of Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation, which promoted reconciliation between families and offenders. He later became executive director of an organization he co-founded, Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights, which sought to end capital punishment around the world.

'Making the World Better'

Cushing served in the New Hampshire House for eight nonconsecutive terms, starting in 1996. He worked with NCSL's Standing Committee on Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety and helped legislators from across the country on issues such as victims' rights, capital punishment and juvenile justice.

"He was highly respected amongst his peers in the House...