People & politics.

• Position: Trends And Transitions

Texas Senator Bill Ratliff, regarded as the conscience of the Senate and known to his colleagues as Obi-Wan Kenobi, resigned from the Legislature Jan. 10 after a distinguished 15-year career. Ratliff made history when he became the first senator elected lieutenant governor by his colleagues. The position became vacant after George Bush was elected president and Rick Perry, then lieutenant governor, became governor. By merit of his position, Ratliff, a Republican, became the most powerful man in the Texas Legislature. But he was commended for his bipartisan leadership, naming as many Democrats to committee chairmanships as Republicans. Called the "embodiment of the ultimate public servant" by a colleague, Ratliff was a dissenting voice in the controversial and bitter Texas reapportionment battle. "I have literally done everything a member of this body could hope to do in a political career," Ratliff said. "It's hard to keep the fire in your belly forever." Three years remain in Ratliff's term.

Oklahoma Representative Hopper Smith resigned from the House in November because of his "imminent military deployment" to Afghanistan. The battalion Smith commands will train the Afghan army. Smith was vice chairman of the House Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, and assistant minority floor leader. "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of House District 67 as a state legislator," Smith said. "It is now my privilege to serve my state...