The Pietist Schoolman

In one of our last public contacts with Paul Wellstone at a fundraiser in St. Paul, I recall him walking slowly down the steps of John McCarty’s home after shaking hands and interacting with many of the supporters who had turned out. He could hardly make it down the stairs, his back was hurting him so badly.  Several people guided his steps so that he would not fall. By the time he reached the bottom of the steps, it was clear that he needed to head home and get some rest.

Cathy and I were finally getting to the fundraiser, late as usual. We greeted Paul and Sheila as they were about to leave. I had a copy of Paul’s book The Conscience of a Liberal  in my hands and asked if he would sign it for me. He said, “If you have a pen, I would be pleased to do so.” The following is what he wrote:

Bill

I appreciate your commitment to social justice;

And I thank you for all your support

Best

Paul

As we sorrow and seek the Lord’s wisdom in this time of mourning, we commit ourselves to continue Senator Wellstone’s quest for social and economic justice.

We honor a wonderful public servant who truly understood that a just and righteous public servant is an advocate for the “needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.”

Thanks, Paul, for your faithful service.