THANK YOU, SENATOR HELMS

"With its constant turnover in membership and frequent shifts in party control, there is rarely anything as precise as an end to an era in the Senate. But Sen. Jesse Helms's departure comes about as close as it gets. Friends and foes of the conservative Republican icon from North Carolina agree on one thing: There will never be another quite like him."
Washington Post, August 23

"If 90 other senators had decided to retire, no one would have much cared. But in a chamber increasingly filled with ambitious millionaires, prodigious fundraisers and professional gasbags, Jesse Helms was something different: a man who stood for something."
Howard Kurtz, Washington Post, August 22

Although it was not unexpected, given his age and failing health, Sen. Jesse Helms's announcement that he will not run again in 2002 cannot but sadden pro-lifers around the world. The 79-year-old gentleman from North Carolina was a tenacious, uncompromising champion of unborn babies who refused to capitulate to fashion, the (alleged) results of polls, or the editorial pages of the Washington Post and the New York Times.

Helms announced his retirement August 22 in taped remarks shown on the evening newscast of WRAL-TV, where he cut his political teeth as a political commentator. The courtly Sen. Helms told his audience that he will have served 30 years in the Senate when his fifth term ends in January 2003.

"I would be 88 if I ran again in 2002 and was elected and lived to finish a sixth term. This, my family and I decided unanimously, I should not do - - and, ladies and gentlemen, I shall not."

The media response to his retirement announcement ran the gauntlet from quasi-respectful to vituperous. Many newspapers still fume that although Mr. Helms never won more than 55% of the vote, they could never topple "a man of bold colors and few pastels," as one reporter put it.

In every sense of the word a gentleman, Helms's departure evinced grudging admiration even from some with whom he agreed on virtually nothing, such as Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Ct.). It is "the power of his personality that makes him special as a force," Sen. Dodd told the Washington Post. "Helms's approval or disapproval carried a lot of weight because he had so many followers around the country. Putting aside the ideological argument, people like a sense of commitment. People knew if he was the only person on your side, he'd stick with you.

"Dubbed " Senator No," in fact Sen. Helms stood affirmatively for many great causes. Often vastly outnumbered, he outmaneuvered, outflanked, and outstrategized a slew of opponents.

Pro-lifers know him best for his work in the early days of the Movement, which sprung up in the aftermath of the noxious Roe v. Wade decision. In the 28 years since Roe was fabricated out of thin air, Mr. Helms sponsored 27 pro-life amendments and bills.

His unwavering support was instrumental to the passage of the Hyde Amendment and other successful efforts to keep your tax dollars from subsidizing the Abortion Behemoth.

His faithfulness was the stuff of legion. Dan Quayle said that when he first came to the Senate in 1980, he quickly learned that Sen. Helms "could always be counted on to be absolutely true to his work, his faith, and his belief in America and America's children."

One fascinating part of the Helms legacy came up in several accounts: his indispensable role in the eventual election of Ronald Reagan as President. In 1976 Mr. Reagan challenged incumbent Gerald Ford in the Republican primaries. (Mr. Ford had been Richard Nixon's vice president and was elevated to the presidency when Nixon resigned over Watergate.)

Beaten in the first five primaries, including the crucial states of New Hampshire, Florida, and Illinois, Mr. Reagan was on the brink of pulling out as the North Carolina primary approached. Sen. Helms encouraged him to switch the way he was campaigning and Reagan earned his first victory.

Although he was unable to derail the Ford train, Mr. Reagan went on to win a number of primaries, culminating with a universally hailed concession speech at the national convention in Kansas City. Without that string of victories which began in North Carolina, the consensus is that he would have been finished as a presidential contender.

As we all know, Mr. Reagan went onto defeat President Carter in 1980 and win in a landslide over Walter Mondale in 1984.

After working in Washington, D.C., for 20 years I've come to appreciate the vast gap between the public image of various politicians painted by the media and their private countenance. For example, there have been any number of "champions" of "women's rights" who treat their pets with far more respect than they do women. But since they "vote right," they get a pass.

The cartoonish media portraits of Mr. Helms were as trite, shallow, and inept as they were repetitious, slanderous, and stupid. A villain by definition (because he staunchly opposed abortion), I half-expected the media to portray him tying women to the railroad tracks.

But those who know him realize that Sen. Helms is as kind, decent, and honorable a man as you would ever want to meet. In 1998 I had the privilege of watching him interact with others the night he received the "Proudly Pro-Life Award" from NRLC's Educational Trust Fund.

The college students absolutely adored him. And why not? Unfailingly, he not only stood for what he believed in, he also treated the "next generation" with respect and humor.

The retirement of Mr. Helms will leave the Senate a far less interesting place, blander and less colorful. Even those who hated him (he did not lack for detractors) will agree with that.

But his 30 years in public service will never be forgotten by pro-lifers. He was and is a model of consistency, constancy, and commitment that we will hold up for our children and ourselves.God bless, Senator Helms.