 Flanders ’ s Senate legacy has continued to inspire Vermont politicians . In his May 24 , 2001 speech announcing his departure from the Republican Party , Vermont Senator James Jeffords cited Flanders three times and spoke of him as one of five Vermont politicians who , “ spoke their minds , often to the dismay of their party leaders , and did their best to guide the party in the direction of those fundamental principles they believed in . ” In speeches to Georgetown University Law Center and Johnson State College , Senator Patrick Leahy cited Flanders as one of three Vermont politicians who showed , “ the importance of standing firm in your beliefs , ” “ that conflict need not be hostile or adversarial ” and who , “ rose up against abuses , against infringements upon Americans ' rights when doing that was not popular . ” 
