Paul Wellstone, the People’s Senator.
Paul Wellstone, 58, Senator of Minnesota, his wife Sheila, his daughter Marcia, and five others died when their plane crashed in icy weather on approach to the Eveleth-Virginia Municipal Airport (EVM) in northeastern Minnesota. (*) (†) (‡) (§)
It made me proud as an American to have Paul Wellstone in the Senate. As a member of the Left, I always viewed him favorably. I found myself disagreeing with him rarely. I was always proud of his many successes as a sterling representative of the great traditions of liberalism and progressivism. He was a great warrior in the true sense of the word who fought for the best of ideals on behalf of Minnesota and the United States. He never betrayed his values. The phrase “conscience of the Senate” applied to him better than to any other. If ordinary folks could count on one Senator to stand up for them, it was Paul Wellstone. He was a great man.
Our country has suffered a heartbreaking loss in the death of Paul Wellstone. His life serves as an inspiration to others as to the great things that public service can achieve.
Last updated: 28 November 2002. Airport code added.