I listened intently and carefully to Hubert Humphrey from, roughly, the 1964 Democratic National Convention to his passing in 1978 (1911 -1978), and read many of his previous remarks in speeches, books and interviews. At age 10, I was energized by his But Not Senator Goldwater speech. At 14, I hammered lawn signs together at the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party booth at the Minnesota State Fair in Saint Paul. Later, I was a Humphrey volunteer, supporter & staffer. His final speeches in 1977--MN AFL-CIO, U.S. Senate & U.S. House--felt then, & now, like prayerful insights from a caring, wise, reflective, gentle soul.
Like many of you, I'm now preparing to celebrate the Humphrey Centennial, May 27, 2011. I'm working with the nonpartisan, educational, and focused on finding solutions, May 27, open to all, "Hubert H. Humphrey Birthday Centennial Reunion & Policy Discussions." Note: Advance registration will be required, and include the opportunity to select the individual Policy Discussions you wish to participate in. With many requests & invitations pending, the Speakers, Volunteers, Founding Sponsors, Donors, Honorary Co-Chairs, Moderators & Panelists, include:
Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Arvonne Fraser, Mark Dayton, R.T. Rybak, Barbara Johnson, Al Eisele, Mark Ritchie, Joan Anderson Growe, Al Quie, Kim Ellison, Lori Sturdevant, D. J. Leary, Tom Tipton, Shar Knutson, Vance Opperman, Kathy Tunheim, Ted Grindal, Jack Ohman, Glenn Totten, Blois Olson, Libby & Tom Horner, Norman Sherman, Steve Hunegs, David Erickson, Matt Entenza, Steven Clift, Dane Smith, Lisa Goodman, John Qunicy, Elizabeth Glidden, Dee Long, Alberto Monserrate, Charles Samuelson, Steve Novak, Ahmed Tharwat, Todd Otis, Nancy Farnham, Virginia Melvie, Sarah Helgen, Jackie Bateman, Scott Benson, Ellen Watters, Diane O'Brien, Carole Faricy, Brian Henry, Susan Stuart, Jennifer Moire, more than 1600 "Friends of Hubert H. Humphrey liberalism" (Democrats, Independents & Republicans); and many more great folks.
The "Hubert H. Humphrey Birthday Centennial Reunion & Policy Discussions" founding sponsors are Vance Opperman; Kathy Tunheim; Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P., Ted Grindal; and, the "Friends of Hubert H. Humphrey liberalism" on Facebook. Again, the events take place on Friday, May 27, the 100th anniversary of Humphrey's birth. The location is the Minneapolis City Hall, where Humphrey began his career of public service as Mayor fighting to end anti-Semitism in the city. The Humphrey Centennial Policy Discussions are 8 AM to 6 PM, including a Hubert H. Humphrey State Capitol Memorial Statue luncheon.
The Policy Discussions will open with remarks by former MN Attorney General Skip Humphrey, followed by keynoter Al Eisele, editor-at-large of The Hill and author of "Almost to the Presidency, a dual biography of Hubert Humphrey and Eugene McCarthy." Skip Humphrey's hopes for the Policy Discussions: 1) civil, reasoned, fact-based small group discussions; 2) looking ahead 5, 10, 15 years to 3) find solutions to intractable social problems; 4) identify strategies for taking advantage of new opportunities; and 5) produce summary reports for distribution and posting. The participant-driven discussions will include topics like, The Future of: American Workers; Citizens in Politics; Jobs, Farm Income & Energy; Liberty, Equality & Fairness; the U.S. in the World; Learning & Information; Health Care & Aging; News & Privacy; 21st Century governance; the legacy & future of Hubert H. Humphrey liberalism; and more.
As so many of us have come to appreciate & value, Minneapolis, MN, is the birthplace & continuing home of Hubert H. Humphrey liberalism under Mayor R.T. Rybak and City Council President Barbara Johnson. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minneapolis is often at the front of liberalism nationally. As a U.S. Senator, now-Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton voted with his colleague and great liberal leader, U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, against authorizing President George Bush to go to war in Iraq. And, in 2010, Mark Dayton won election as Governor asking that tax rates be adjusted so that many of those who have benefited greatly in our economy will pay taxes at rates similar to many of those who have not prospered in our economy.
The Humphrey Centennial Reunion is from 6 to 8 PM in the Minneapolis City Hall Rotunda. Speakers will include Mayor Rybak, former MN Secretary of State Joan Anderson Growe, Gov. Mark Dayton, and Vice President Mondale. Mondale, a Minnesota native who now lives in Minneapolis, was a great friend and colleague of Hubert Humphrey's. His call to all:
Come to the Minneapolis City Hall on Friday, May 27, to celebrate Hubert's life and continue the good fight for working families.
info: "Friends of Hubert H. Humphrey liberalism" on Facebook.
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Showing posts with label hubert humphrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hubert humphrey. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Saturday, October 2, 2010
October 2, 2010
Great and loyal friend Ham Thompson leaves a legacy of love
A prince among Minnesota Democrats, and a good friend of hundreds of Minnesotans, Charles Hamilton "Ham" Thompson, 57, died prematurely on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at his home in Shorewood, Minn. Ham is survived by his sister, Jennifer Pierson of Denver, Colorado; step sisters, Susie McDowell of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Helen Waldron of Minnetonka, Minn.; step brother, John P. Snyder III of Rancho Sante Fe, California; and many nieces and nephews . As announced earlier, Ham's life will be celebrated at memorial party of family and friends today, Saturday, Oct. 2, at Woodhill County Club, 200 Woodhill Avenue in Wayzata, Minn. Memorials are encouraged to the Animal Humane Society. Ham loved and cared for animals.
A few of the many heartfelt comments from Ham's friends include:
* Extremely sad news about our dear friend, Ham. He walked as a gentle giant among us. We were all very fortunate to have him touch our lives.
* Through all the phenomenal work he did I always felt there was an untouchable part of his soul that remained a mystery. His dedication and commitment to all we hold so dear will be sorely missed.
* I was a big fan of Ham's. He was a decent guy through-and through.
In the 1970's, Ham came to work as the assistant finance director of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party He was hugely energetic, and a real and reliable friend to all. He succeeded through courtesy, attention to detail, and never giving up on a prospect or a candidate or a cause. Later, he was a key staff member of the campaigns of Joan Anderson Growe and Warren Spannaus. He was also active in the campaigns of Rudy Perpich, Hubert H. Humphrey, Walter F. Mondale, Jimmy Carter, Rick Nolan, Gerry Sikorski, Mark Dayton, and candidates for legislator, commissioner and council member too numerous to mention..
Ham was a business partner of Carole Faricy of St. Paul, Minn. He was a "doer"...not a talker...delivering services in all forms of fundraising for political, civic. non-profit, and charitable causes. Ham was was a leader in helping break down the outdated, self-defeating and pervasive sexism, racism, homophobia and class and age bias in politics and government. Though pulling his hair out getting every available dollar raising money, and losing his voice organizing conventions successfully working the state convention floor for 22 hours, Ham helped make Joan the first woman to be endorsed for the U.S. Senate in DFL history. Last year, he was a lead organizer of the 25th anniversary celebration of Joan Growe's 1984 U.S. Senate campaign. Ham's colleague on the Growe campaign, Minneapolis City Council Member Scott Benson, will speak of Ham's political life and contributions at today's memorial.
Working every last moment to win liberal victories for change, Ham truly loved politics, political volunteers, and political candidates, especially the new candidates and the underdogs. He so loved a challenge. He believed and practiced charity, hard work and truthfulness. Ham told you what you needed to hear to succeed in your campaign or cause even if his report or advice disagreed with your pre-conceptions. He was a staunch opponent of conventional wisdom. He was a perfectionist in good manners and courtesies. His invitations and thank you notes to friends were personal and handwritten. He preferred long and loving phone calls and personal visits to cold computer emails. Like many of us, he experienced some serious and lasting pain and loss but rarely spoke of it. He never dwelled on what a person may be doing wrong. He focused on setting and sharing better ways of doing things (even on the golf course).
Ham loved people. He was always ready to help on a personal or political need. Actual and timely help. Just visiting with Ham was a big boost of cheer. His friends and clients turned to him for ideas, names, techniques, follow-through, and solid results and accomplishments He was practical. He would tend bar at your event and would go far out of his way to pick-up and drive disabled friends to parties and meetings. And, preferring and practicing love over hate, Ham came over time to be strongly disillusioned with negative politicians and negative campaigning, and to prefer working on social and charitable causes.
To so many of us who had the honor of knowing and the privilege of working with Ham, we will always remember his kind and gentle nature and thorough dedication to his family and friends. It is very painful for Ham's family and friends to lose Ham so suddenly and at such an early age. But we are comforted and sustained by memories of Ham's cheerfulness, staunch liberalism, and great personal loyalty. Ham Thompson set out to make a positive difference in this world and he so clearly succeeded. God bless you and keep you, Ham. As Mondale said of Humphrey, you have taught me/us how to love. Bob Meek, 10.02.2010###
Great and loyal friend Ham Thompson leaves a legacy of love
A prince among Minnesota Democrats, and a good friend of hundreds of Minnesotans, Charles Hamilton "Ham" Thompson, 57, died prematurely on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at his home in Shorewood, Minn. Ham is survived by his sister, Jennifer Pierson of Denver, Colorado; step sisters, Susie McDowell of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Helen Waldron of Minnetonka, Minn.; step brother, John P. Snyder III of Rancho Sante Fe, California; and many nieces and nephews . As announced earlier, Ham's life will be celebrated at memorial party of family and friends today, Saturday, Oct. 2, at Woodhill County Club, 200 Woodhill Avenue in Wayzata, Minn. Memorials are encouraged to the Animal Humane Society. Ham loved and cared for animals.
A few of the many heartfelt comments from Ham's friends include:
* Extremely sad news about our dear friend, Ham. He walked as a gentle giant among us. We were all very fortunate to have him touch our lives.
* Through all the phenomenal work he did I always felt there was an untouchable part of his soul that remained a mystery. His dedication and commitment to all we hold so dear will be sorely missed.
* I was a big fan of Ham's. He was a decent guy through-and through.
In the 1970's, Ham came to work as the assistant finance director of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party He was hugely energetic, and a real and reliable friend to all. He succeeded through courtesy, attention to detail, and never giving up on a prospect or a candidate or a cause. Later, he was a key staff member of the campaigns of Joan Anderson Growe and Warren Spannaus. He was also active in the campaigns of Rudy Perpich, Hubert H. Humphrey, Walter F. Mondale, Jimmy Carter, Rick Nolan, Gerry Sikorski, Mark Dayton, and candidates for legislator, commissioner and council member too numerous to mention..
Ham was a business partner of Carole Faricy of St. Paul, Minn. He was a "doer"...not a talker...delivering services in all forms of fundraising for political, civic. non-profit, and charitable causes. Ham was was a leader in helping break down the outdated, self-defeating and pervasive sexism, racism, homophobia and class and age bias in politics and government. Though pulling his hair out getting every available dollar raising money, and losing his voice organizing conventions successfully working the state convention floor for 22 hours, Ham helped make Joan the first woman to be endorsed for the U.S. Senate in DFL history. Last year, he was a lead organizer of the 25th anniversary celebration of Joan Growe's 1984 U.S. Senate campaign. Ham's colleague on the Growe campaign, Minneapolis City Council Member Scott Benson, will speak of Ham's political life and contributions at today's memorial.
Working every last moment to win liberal victories for change, Ham truly loved politics, political volunteers, and political candidates, especially the new candidates and the underdogs. He so loved a challenge. He believed and practiced charity, hard work and truthfulness. Ham told you what you needed to hear to succeed in your campaign or cause even if his report or advice disagreed with your pre-conceptions. He was a staunch opponent of conventional wisdom. He was a perfectionist in good manners and courtesies. His invitations and thank you notes to friends were personal and handwritten. He preferred long and loving phone calls and personal visits to cold computer emails. Like many of us, he experienced some serious and lasting pain and loss but rarely spoke of it. He never dwelled on what a person may be doing wrong. He focused on setting and sharing better ways of doing things (even on the golf course).
Ham loved people. He was always ready to help on a personal or political need. Actual and timely help. Just visiting with Ham was a big boost of cheer. His friends and clients turned to him for ideas, names, techniques, follow-through, and solid results and accomplishments He was practical. He would tend bar at your event and would go far out of his way to pick-up and drive disabled friends to parties and meetings. And, preferring and practicing love over hate, Ham came over time to be strongly disillusioned with negative politicians and negative campaigning, and to prefer working on social and charitable causes.
To so many of us who had the honor of knowing and the privilege of working with Ham, we will always remember his kind and gentle nature and thorough dedication to his family and friends. It is very painful for Ham's family and friends to lose Ham so suddenly and at such an early age. But we are comforted and sustained by memories of Ham's cheerfulness, staunch liberalism, and great personal loyalty. Ham Thompson set out to make a positive difference in this world and he so clearly succeeded. God bless you and keep you, Ham. As Mondale said of Humphrey, you have taught me/us how to love. Bob Meek, 10.02.2010###
Friday, April 17, 2009
HHH: Hope, Humor, Humility
I went to the school of Hubert Humphrey. I learned much of what I admire and most of what shapes my OPTIMISM from Hubert H. Humphrey...listening to his speeches and interviews, reading his articles, books, statements, and correspondence (each week HHH privately circulated to his aides and advisers copies of his letters and dictation, e.g., to a speech writer, roughly, I want my Bi-Centennial--1976--speeches to key off the extraordinary youth of America's founders...recalling that our nation was founded in large part by people under the age of 30!), and visiting with him as he raced to Senate floor votes and meetings with constituents (e.g., the pluses and minuses of snowmobile trails in the Boundary Waters in light of our being "temporary" stewards of the lands/creations we are charged with protecting).
One of the Senator's favorite topics was attitude--informed perhaps by his less than five-votes-per-precinct loss of the 1968 race for president to Richard Nixon; specifically, a rejection of defeatism. Being a foremost student, teacher and maker of history, Humphrey could recite in detail the many years of Revolutionary War battles ("defeats") that led to America's independence. the Civil War battles ("defeats") that led to the Union's victory, the unlikely career paths (filled with "defeats") that resulted in Presidents Lincoln and Truman, and the tortured, centuries-long fights for human rights (HHH, 1948: ...get out of the shadow of state's rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights).
Humphrey would point out (roughly): Unfortunately and too often, our nation's largest club is the "would've," "could've," "should've" club filled with a membership resigned to living on the regrets of lost hopes and failed dreams. Always second-guessing. Always looking-back. Always finding the worst (error) in themselves and everyone else.
His transition: I will have none of that and neither should you!
You see, Humphrey would continue, the question is not what we would have done or what we could have done or what we should have done. It's one thing to study the past and learn from our mistakes. It's another thing to live in the past where the contests are over and the results known. The real questions for us--for the doers, for the builders and for the inventors of today--is what are we doing now (here and now, right now) and what are we going to do next (training for, investing in) to make things better today and for generations to come? (often followed by a variation on Sam Rayburn's: ...Any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a good carpenter to build one--a sentiment winning great applause from Humphrey's many labor ((e.g., Building Trades)) audiences).
Acknowledging that bad (unfair) things happen in our lives, Humphrey told in his 1976 book, "The Education of a Public Man," how he "celebrated" the end of 1968, a horrific year of war, assassinations and riots. At midnight on New Year's Eve, this former 2-term mayor of Minneapolis, 3-term U.S. Senator, Vice President and presidential nominee went into his bathroom and flushed the toilet thinking to himself: good riddance, it's time we start over.
In 1969, Humphrey returned to teaching and went on to win his 4th-term in the Senate in 1970. He chaired the joint budget committee and the Humphrey-Hawkins full employment act later became law. Humphrey won his 5th Senate term in 1976, when he was also able to rejoice in the election of his friend Walter Mondale as Vice President. A happy, forward-looking Hubert Humphrey. One of the best inspirations I know of to keep from throwing shoes at CNBC & FOX every time they predict President Obama's economic recovery measures are not going to work (I will have none of that and neither should you).
What I was told was Mike Berman's 1980 debate advice: Mr. President, just remember "HHH: Hope, Humor, Humility."
Happy days are (will be) here again!
One of the Senator's favorite topics was attitude--informed perhaps by his less than five-votes-per-precinct loss of the 1968 race for president to Richard Nixon; specifically, a rejection of defeatism. Being a foremost student, teacher and maker of history, Humphrey could recite in detail the many years of Revolutionary War battles ("defeats") that led to America's independence. the Civil War battles ("defeats") that led to the Union's victory, the unlikely career paths (filled with "defeats") that resulted in Presidents Lincoln and Truman, and the tortured, centuries-long fights for human rights (HHH, 1948: ...get out of the shadow of state's rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights).
Humphrey would point out (roughly): Unfortunately and too often, our nation's largest club is the "would've," "could've," "should've" club filled with a membership resigned to living on the regrets of lost hopes and failed dreams. Always second-guessing. Always looking-back. Always finding the worst (error) in themselves and everyone else.
His transition: I will have none of that and neither should you!
You see, Humphrey would continue, the question is not what we would have done or what we could have done or what we should have done. It's one thing to study the past and learn from our mistakes. It's another thing to live in the past where the contests are over and the results known. The real questions for us--for the doers, for the builders and for the inventors of today--is what are we doing now (here and now, right now) and what are we going to do next (training for, investing in) to make things better today and for generations to come? (often followed by a variation on Sam Rayburn's: ...Any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a good carpenter to build one--a sentiment winning great applause from Humphrey's many labor ((e.g., Building Trades)) audiences).
Acknowledging that bad (unfair) things happen in our lives, Humphrey told in his 1976 book, "The Education of a Public Man," how he "celebrated" the end of 1968, a horrific year of war, assassinations and riots. At midnight on New Year's Eve, this former 2-term mayor of Minneapolis, 3-term U.S. Senator, Vice President and presidential nominee went into his bathroom and flushed the toilet thinking to himself: good riddance, it's time we start over.
In 1969, Humphrey returned to teaching and went on to win his 4th-term in the Senate in 1970. He chaired the joint budget committee and the Humphrey-Hawkins full employment act later became law. Humphrey won his 5th Senate term in 1976, when he was also able to rejoice in the election of his friend Walter Mondale as Vice President. A happy, forward-looking Hubert Humphrey. One of the best inspirations I know of to keep from throwing shoes at CNBC & FOX every time they predict President Obama's economic recovery measures are not going to work (I will have none of that and neither should you).
What I was told was Mike Berman's 1980 debate advice: Mr. President, just remember "HHH: Hope, Humor, Humility."
Happy days are (will be) here again!
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