Sen. Heinz dies in plane crash

Senator John Heinz, described by administrators as a staunch supporter of the University, was killed in a plane crash over suburban Lower Merion township yesterday. According to authorities, the accident occurred when Heinz's plane collided with a helicopter over Merion Elementary School. Six others, including two children, died in the crash. Many members of the University community knew the senator and expressed sadness over his death. "He was really an extraordinary man in his abilities, in his capacity for warmth, and his affection for the University," said David Morse, who lobbies the federal government for the University. "I came to the Senate as a staffer the same time he joined the Senate," Morse added. "It's very rare that members will talk to staff other then their own, but when we were working on plan on student aid, he called me personally to see what I knew. It shows how inquisitive he was, how dedicated he was." Morse said that Heinz had been a long-time friend to the University, adding hat because of the Senator's committee standings, he was able to help the University a great deal. Heinz served as the second-ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and the ranking Republican member of Banking's Securities Subcommittee. "He was a very good friend in terms of legislation and policy," Morse said. "He . . . had jurisdiction over tax policy and health care policy. He was helpful on both fronts to the University and the Hospital [of the University of Pennsylvania]." Matthew Wolfe, the Republican leader for the University's ward, also said that Heinz's death was big blow. "I'm very upset at this point in time," Wolfe said. "It's a great loss for Pennsylvania." Wharton senior Mark Leventhal, who interned for Heinz two years ago, said that the senator was a role model. "He was very intelligent, very bright," Levanthal said. "For anyone who wanted to go into politics, he was someone to admire. He was different, not a regular politician type. He had a sense of humor." And Kevin Vaughan, the Democratic ward leader for the University's region, said that Heinz followed his heart on issues. "He was one of few Republicans who was a friend of [progressive issues]," Vaughan said. "He was consistently progressive, regardless of party lines." Vaughan added that he felt a personal loss at the death. "It's a true loss to the U.S. Senate and people of Pennsylvania. It's clearly a shock," Vaughan said. "It's very, very much pain."

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