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Senator Wellstone was Champion of Public Interest Values

Oct. 25, 2002

Senator Wellstone was Champion of Public Interest Values

Statement by Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook

The death of Senator Paul Wellstone today is a devastating and tragic loss for all of the people of this country. To the people who knew and loved him, he will be remembered for the size of his heart and the generosity of his spirit. To the public he served, he will be remembered for the compassion he felt for the less fortunate among us and the energy, grace and intellect he brought to the political debate. We are saddened by his death but grateful for his service and stalwart dedication to the public interest values he championed.

Senator Wellstone was guided by unwavering principles and conscience, not popularity, self-interest or partisan advantage. Regardless of the political costs, he stood up for average Americans, seeking policies that would meet human needs, not the demands of monied interests.

We will miss him greatly. But through the tears we shed for Paul and Sheila Wellstone’s family, we are buoyed by the knowledge that his spirit will live on through the many who have been touched by his passion and commitment to the people of this country.

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