Jane Phillips/The New Mexican via Asociated Press

Mourners flood the Capitol during the memorial service for state Sen. Ben Altamirano. The Silver City Democrat was remembered Monday for his congenial nature and his ability to work across the aisle. He died Thursday at his home at the age of 77.

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SANTA FE — Senate President Ben Altamirano was remembered as a compassionate lawmaker who worked in a bipartisan fashion for programs and policies to help children and the needy of New Mexico.

Several hundred people gathered Monday in the Capitol for a memorial for the Silver City Democrat, the longest serving member of the Legislature. He died Thursday at his home in Silver City. He was 77.

"I would submit to you that he would think that the greatest honor to him would be that the upcoming session have an even greater sense of compromise, cooperation and creativity and positive impact for the betterment of New Mexico than if he were still with us," said Paul Altamirano, one of the senator's three children.

The Legislature convenes Jan. 15 for a 30-day session.

Family, friends and colleagues spoke at the memorial - all recalling his cheerfulness, courtesy and respect for others.

"His hugs and kisses were something special to all of us," Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, a Belen Democrat, said. "I am going to remember Benny best by that big smile as he was walking down the hallway, saying `Hi' to everyone. Whether he knew them or not, he was going to say `Hi,' and he was going to hug and kiss them."

House and Senate members praised Altamirano for his ability to work effectively with Republicans and Democrats and for playing a calming role during sometimes-tense legislative sessions.

"He had the ability to bring factions together and to form a consensus," said Sen. Carroll Leavell, a Jal Republican. "In all the years I worked with Benny, I never had the idea that he looked at anyone as Democrats or Republicans, but simply as legislators who were working for the same good purpose of the state of New Mexico."

Altamirano had served in the Senate since 1971. He was the top Senate leader since 2005 and before that was the longtime chairman of the Finance Committee, which handled the state budget and financial issues.

"He understood the very important thing that behind the budget numbers there were real people," Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said. "There were single mothers. There were families struggling to survive. There were disabled people, and most of all there were children."

The governor's wife, Barbara Richardson, recalled how Altamirano helped secure state money to continue youth-mentoring services through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs across the state.

"As you know, Ben was a can-do, go-to person whose counsel and advice we will all sorely miss," she said.

Gov. Bill Richardson was campaigning in Iowa for the Democratic presidential nomination. Former Govs. Bruce King, Toney Anaya and Jerry Apodaca were among those who attended the memorial.

The Capitol was packed much like a legislative session, with former and current legislators, lobbyists, state workers, judges and other elected officials. The Rotunda was full, and people stood two and three deep around a railing on the third floor of the Capitol.

House Speaker Ben Lujan noted that legislation sponsored during the 2007 session by Altamirano took effect on New Year's Day - an increase in the state minimum wage that will benefit some of the lowest-paid workers in New Mexico.

"He was a gentleman in a place that does not always treat gentlemen kindly. He was a statesman in a place that too frequently rewards those with more narrow concerns," said Lujan. "He brought a calm, reasonable voice to a place that needs more calm and more reason."