George McGovern: A man of principle and compassion
It's a sad occasion for our country. My great friend George McGovern died yesterday at the age of 90. Senator McGovern was a true American hero.
It's a sad occasion for our country. My great friend George McGovern died yesterday at the age of 90.
Senator McGovern was a true American hero.
As a pilot during World War II, he helped liberate Europe from the Nazis – once saving the lives of his crew by safely landing his damaged bomber.
But that was just the beginning of his heroism.
After being elected to the U.S. Senate in the 1960s, he took a strong but highly unpopular stand against the Vietnam War. If only our leaders had listened.
His anti-war activism was just one facet of his political career.
I first met Senator McGovern as he was preparing for his 1972 presidential campaign. It was also shortly before Joe Levin and I launched the Southern Poverty Law Center, and we were right in the middle of a lawsuit that would desegregate the all-white Alabama Legislature.
I saw Senator McGovern many times in recent years, and he visited my home in Montgomery, Alabama, on a number of occasions. He was a powerful advocate for the work of the Southern Poverty Law Center, believing passionately in our fight for justice and tolerance.
We owe him our gratitude for everything he did for America. I’ll miss him.
But we can draw inspiration from his life and what he stood for.
