little rock ark former u.s. representative ray thornton arkansas help draft article impeachment president richard nixon die hospice care little rock age 87 officials say thursday ray arkansas gem passionately serve people state many years man genuine heart people arkansas say arkansas governor asa hutchinson thornton democrat hold variety elect appointive position arkansas state attorney general win seat congress 1972. fail win u.s. senate race 1978 thornton serve president two state university systems run successfully 1990 u.s. congress different district courageous house representatives vote nixon impeachment say robert brown retire justice arkansas supreme court former political aide ray much public servant arkansas anyone recent history courtliness sense humor seem sorely lack today politics thornton whose health decline weeks die wednesday enrage then-president bill clinton fellow arkansan democrat vote president 1993 budget bill design reverse years deficits thornton say merely honor pledge constituents oppose tax increase especially motor fuel tax regard onerous thornton opposition pressure white house compel another democrat representative marjorie margolies mezvinsky pennsylvania change position support clinton legislation mezvinsky defeat next election son marc late marry clinton daughter chelsea upon leave congress second time thornton elect arkansas supreme court help strike state law establish term limit members congress 1996 u.s. supreme court uphold thornton find rule state lack authority restrict federal tenure thornton arkansas congressman figure nixon impeachment die