politics

This biography of Wellstone was distributed at the memorial service on Oct. 29, 2002.

Paul Wellstone 1944-2002

Paul Wellstone was one of a kind. He was a man of principle and conviction, in a world that has too little of either. He was dedicated to helping the little guy, in a business dominated by the big guys. We who had the privilege of working with him hope that he will be remembered as he lived every day: as a champion for people.

 

Paul David Wellstone was Minnesota's senior United States Senator. He served on the Agriculture Committee, Small Business Committee, Labor, Health, and Education Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, and the Indian Affairs Committee.

July 21, 1944: Paul David Wellstone was born to Leon and Minnie Wellstone of Arlington, Virginia. He is the younger brother of Stephen Wellstone, who was born in 1936.

 

1958-1962: Paul Wellstone attended Wakefield and Yorktown public high schools of Arlington, VA., where he graduated in May 1962. Throughout high school Paul became a champion wrestler on the high school wrestling team.

September 1962: Paul Wellstone graduated college one year early with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. He then enrolled in the university's graduate program, seeking a Ph. D. in Political Science.

May 1969: Paul Wellstone received his Ph. D. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at the age of 24. Wellstone's dissertation was on the roots of black militancy, entitled ""Black Militants in the Ghetto: Why They Believe in Violence."

August 1969: Paul accepted a teaching position at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

 

1978: Paul Wellstone wrote his first published book, "How the Rural Poor Got Power: Narrative of a Grassroots Organizer." The book chronicled Wellstone's work with the Organization for a Better Rice County.