Former Sen. Jesse Helms, known as an iconic U.S. conservative, died Friday at age 86.
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(Photo: AP Images / Pablo Martinez Monsivais, file)In this Feb. 10, 2005 photo, retired Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., receives applause after being acknowledge by President Bush during his visit to BTI Center for the Performing Arts - Meymandi Concert Hall, in Raleigh, N.C. Helms has died at age 86, the Jesse Helms research center says.
In a statement, President George W. Bush described Helms as "a stalwart defender of limited government and free enterprise, a fearless defender of a culture of life, and an unwavering champion of those struggling for liberty."
During his 30 years in the Senate, Helms authored several amendments that took a strong stance against Communism, abortion and homosexuality, among other conservative issues. Helms co-authored a 1996 measure that tightened trade sanctions against communist Cuba. He blocked U.S. funding to international family planning organizations that directly or indirectly supported abortion. And he asked the Senate to cut funding for the arts when he learned the National Endowment for the Arts was sponsoring a homoerotic photo exhibit.
Helms was also a pillar of his Republican Party when Ronald Reagan came to power.
Supporters remember the five-term senator of North Carolina as a man of principle and values who left historic marks on the conservative movement.
Beverly LaHaye, founder of Concerned Women for America, called Helms "a cultural war hero" who "fought fearlessly for family and moral values."
"He was a staunch defender of the sanctity of life, and he stood against the onslaught of those who would grant special rights to the sexually confused and broken. He weathered the kinds of storms and personal attacks under which others have quickly caved," said LaHaye.
Helms was also warmly praised for his keeping true to his Christian faith.
The Rev. Billy Graham, a respected evangelist who was a long-time friend of Helms, said he was a "man of consistent conviction to conservative ideals" who based his life on principle rather than popularity or politics.
Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham, fondly remembered Helms. Lotz, who was a long-time member of Hayes-Barton Baptist Church , the Raleigh church Helms attended, shared with WRAL.com that he was a man who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, his family and his country.
She added that she thought it was fitting for a patriotic man like Helms to pass away on Independence Day with "an exclamation point on his life."
But Helms' hardline conservatism did not leave him unscathed by critics.
He was criticized for commentaries he made in the 1960s against civil rights and for initially opposing federal research funding on AIDS, a disease he believed was perpetuated by homosexuality.
Helms later changed his position and pushed for more funding toward AIDS treatment and relief. In 2002, Helms spoke at an event organized by Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief group led by Franklin Graham, and apologized for not doing more earlier toward the worldwide epidemic.
As he aged, Helms suffered from a variety of illnesses, including a bone disorder, prostate cancer and heart problems. He was later diagnosed with vascular dementia. He retired from the Senate in 2003.
According to President Bush, when Helms was once asked if he had any ambitions beyond the United States Senate, he replied, "The only thing I am running for is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Comments
steveh20, I don't think we disagreed I was just making a point, sorry I didn't respond sooner but I just saw your post now.
And were have I disagreed with you?
steveh20, it appears that it is easy to point out white racists, but when it comes to pointing out black racists a sudden hush comes over the crowd. Racism along with all forms of bigotry is a worldwide problem. When is was in the service I spoke with a black woman whose parents didn't like her black husband because they thought he was too dark.
You are of course correct believer that the senator was/is not the only racist around but this article is about him (this "champion of conservative values") so that is why the comments centre on him, this is proper and correct.
Steve
Falwell....My brain is improving. It only took me an hour to think of the man's name!
How about whatever that preacher's name was (senior moment) at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia? At least he had time to adjust his racism before he died. If he had lived long enough, he might have dropped some other prejudices. I guess the Lord saw fit to take him to live for eternity in Heaven though, instead, just a little bit early. On this man's early departure from earth, God and I agreed.
Speaking of racists how about Louis Farrahkan and Elijah Mohammad or Big Al, unfortunately whites don't have the corner on racism in our world today.
Add Pitchfork Ben Tillman, Eugene Talmadge and Trent Lott to your list.
SEN Theodore Bilbo, SEN Strom Thurman, SEN John Stennis, GOV Ross Barnett, GOV Orvil Faubus, GOV Huey Long, and Police Chief Bull Connor, among hundreds of others, are no doubt greeting Jesse with high fives and chilled mint julips. Once a racist bigot, always a racist bigot. Good riddance.
I'm glad Sen. Helms is gone, the old goat.
These demagogues always have extremely loyal followings, especially for voters who don't (or can't) think things through. A friend of mine from South Carolina once said, "Oh, my family has ALWAYS voted for Sperm Thurmond!"
With regards to his racial views, yes for much of his life he was a segregationist and racist, but like George Wallace and Strom Thurmond, he too near the end of his life, to include his political life, came to see that he was wrong in this area of his life. It's unfortunate that he did not see this earlier because whether you liked him or not he had a great influence in the Congress, but also we can not forget that even though this is no excuse for his racial beliefs he was truly a product of both his time and his culture with regards to his racial views.
it is always sad on a personal level for anyone's death. but i did not know him personally, but as a public figure he was a racist, a bigot, and vindictively evil, america does not need to remember or respect these public tramps.
steveh20 "they had him down as an out and out racist."
well he certainly appeared to be, he ran campaigns that appealed to southern racists of NC, much as strom thurmond did.
I read his obituary in 2 English broad sheets (the broad sheets are the serious papers, even if they are now tabloid) yesterday, they had him down as an out and out racist.
Steve