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April 16, 1999/30 Nisan 5759, Vol. 51, No. 29
Lawmaker apologizes for her 'hooked nose' remark
ANNE BRADY
Managing Editor
The Anti-Defamation League's Phoenix office this week requested and received an apology from state Rep. Barbara Blewster (R-Dewey) for recent remarks she made to fellow legislators.
ADL Regional Director Joel Breshin had sent Brewster a letter on Tuesday, April 13, stating that it was "at best, insensitive, and at worst, anti-Jewish" for Blewster to tell state Rep. Barbara Leff (R-Paradise Valley) that she didn't realize Leff was Jewish because Leff has blond hair and doesn't have "a big hooked nose."
On Wednesday, April 14, Brewster responded with her own letter that stated: "I have received your concerns, and humbly apologize if I have offended anyone in my private remarks to members of the House."
Marc Lieberman, ADL vice chairman for civil rights, said the ADL appreciated Blewster's apology and hopes "this marks a beginning for reconciliation with Jewish and other groups in the Valley."
Blewster did not return phone calls this week seeking comment. However, in a message left last week on Jewish News' voice mail, Blewster told Jewish News Editor and Publisher Flo Eckstein that she has "no prejudice toward any group at all." Blewster pointed out that she is friends with a local Jewish couple and attended their daughter's bat mitzvah, at which she was very impressed with the rabbi. "I like the intellect of the Jews," she noted, adding that she had enjoyed traveling to Israel.
This latest incident involving Blewster and a minority group reportedly occurred when legislators were discussing their having to work late on the first night of Passover (Wednesday, March 31) but taking off Friday, April 2, which was Good Friday (the day when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus).
After learning that Leff and Rep. Tom Horne (R-Phoenix) were Jewish, and making the nose comment to Leff, Blewster also reportedly told Horne that he would make a good Mormon (Blewster's religion).
Horne told Capitol Media Services he was not offended by the remark, and the ADL letter focused only on the comments made to Leff, who did not return calls seeking comment this week. Leff reportedly told Capitol Media Services that when Blewster said she didn't know Leff was Jewish, Leff responded, "I am (Jewish), oh prejudiced one."
Blewster noted in her letter that she had personally apologized to both Leff and Horne and appreciated "their thoughtful acceptance of my apology."
Earlier this year, Blewster offended many people when she said that "the perversion that follows homosexuality is bestiality and then human sacrifice and cannibalism."
Breshin's letter stated that Blewster's remarks to Leff, "along with comments you made about homosexuality ... raise questions about your attitude toward minority Arizonans."
"Your remarks ... raise questions about your ability to represent all the people, regardless of color, religious beliefs, ethnic origin and sexual orientation," Breshin wrote. "We hope that you now understand how offensive and destructive such remarks can be.
"We offer our expertise on diversity issues to you to aid in your understanding of our position."
In the commemorative book for the West (Phoenix) High School Class of 1958 reunion last year, Blewster lists her occupations as "patriot," candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives, and employee with Fore Par Golf, a shop owned by her husband, Bill, just outside Prescott. She also notes that she and her husband had "held John Birch Society meetings in our home for years."
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