 November 2002
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Telephone number: Fax number:
pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
In Memoriam; Paul Wellstone Information drawn from The Guardian 10/25/02 and MoveOn.org. We honor the life and mourn the passing of Senator Paul Wellstone, a liberal Democrat from Minnesota. Before becoming a senator, Wellstone was a professor (teaching a course at Carleton called "Social Movements and Grassroots Organizing") and community organizer. In 1990 he launched a long-shot bid for Senate, and ran a grassroots campaign touring the state in a rickety old green bus. He stunned the political establishment by unseating Republican Senator Rudy Boschwitz, and defeated Boschwitz again in 1996. Wellstone's race for re-election against Boschwitz was a close one, but during that campaign he nevertheless stood as the only senator to vote against so-called welfare reform legislation. This was consistent with his opposition to bills he felt put the average American at a disadvantage. As he said in response to more recent 'bankruptcy reform' legislation, "Are single women with children deadbeats? This bill assumes that they are." At the time of his death, Wellstone was actively campaigning for a third term, a bid many felt he had risked by voting against authorization of the use of military force in Iraq. He was the only senator facing a tough re-election challenge to vote No. Although some of his votes over the years have disappointed his supporters, he provided a much-needed progressive perspective in the Senate--notably on affordable health care, family leave, and a new farm bill--and at this crucial time especially, his voice will be missed.
From the organization Move On: "Public service is a gift
of one's life to the community. Senator Wellstone gave
his life to work for all of us. His leadership and principles
have inspired other members of the house and Senate to do the
right thing. And his courage, principles, and determination will
be remembered for a long time to come." 
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