Champion of The Elderly

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While Pepper's body has required a few repairs, his mind remains sharp. His memory is so keen that he can be introduced to seven people at lunch and thereafter address them unerringly by name. He recalls conversations with F.D.R. more than four decades ago in vivid detail. Pepper is most impressive on the podium. He never reads from a text, rarely uses notes, yet the words roll out in graceful sentences. The loose skin on his chin and neck fairly quivers with indignation and a clenched fist punches the air when he berates "an Administration that wants to cut $11 billion from Medicare." When he recounts stories of poor people hurt by budget trims, Pepper sometimes gets misty-eyed. So do his listeners. Congressman Coelho was present on one such occasion during the 1982 campaign. "Claude's eyes teared over, and by the time he finished speaking, 70% of the audience were teary-eyed. It was just a tremendous emotional experience."

Neither exercise nor diet explains Pepper's mental agility and physical stamina. He loves golf but gets out on the course only sporadically, recently shooting 48 over nine holes at Coral Gables Country Club and winning 75¢ from his opponents. He admits that he does not even walk as much as he would like, although when he does, he says, "I walk fast." He eats heartily and is a bit overweight (5 ft. 7½ in., 180 Ibs.). His one dietary idiosyncrasy: he has soup and crackers with each meal, even breakfast.

Pepper gave up smoking in 1933. Strangers often view his red, veiny nose as a sign of heavy drinking, but he denies it. Except for one or two glasses of white wine with lunch and dinner, he abstains from alcohol. In the House dining room, waitresses automatically bring Pepper his soup, crackers and a carafe of wine. No connoisseur, he never asks for anything fancier than chablis.

If there is a key to Pepper's vitality, it is that he enjoys his work and has never lost his passionate concern for people and issues. His home telephone numbers are listed in both the Washington and Miami directories, and constituents often call, seeking help with red tape or support for legislation. He keeps regular office hours in both cities and meets with anyone who asks to see him.

After a speech to retirees or other older folks, Pepper lingers to bask in the affection of his admirers. He moves slowly among them, sometimes bussing a few of the women who do not kiss him first. He eagerly grasps the outstretched hands of the men. His rapport with the elderly is such that his office is inundated with their messages whenever an issue that concerns them is pending in Washington. During the Social Security debate last month, some 3,000 letters and 100 phone calls sought his attention each week. Says Pepper about the elderly: "They deserve much—and need much. I am helping them."

On a typical weekday in Washington, Pepper rises by 6:30, reads the Post and keeps a breakfast appointment at 8. He drives himself around in a long Lincoln Town Car, carries his own bag through airports, normally travels alone. A housekeeper cares for his waterfront condominium in Miami, and a staff aide, James Brennan, 66, shares his northwest Washington apartment. The two often dine out together. Then Pepper watches the 11 o'clock news, skims the New York Times and goes to bed by midnight.