This certainly speaks volumes, doesn't it? Wellstone Farewell Becomes Political
kare11.com
The event that began as a poignant farewell to the late Senator Paul Wellstone Tuesday evening culminated in a furious series of partisan speeches.
Wellstone's family and friends exhorted supporters to help his ballot replacement to victory next week.
The first eulogies were tender remembrances for the seven people killed along with Wellstone in a northern Minnesota plane crash Friday as were the initial remarks for Wellstone.
The late senator had been locked in a difficult re-election battle with Republican Norm Coleman.
Iowa Senator Tom Harkin called Wellstone "the soul of the Senate."
But by the end of his remarks, Harkin had shed his jacket and was imploring the crowd of about 15,000 to work on Wellstone's behalf.
Wellstone's friend and former student Rick Kahn whipped up the crowd before Harkin took the stage by adopting the late senator's fiery speaking style.
He chopped the air with his hands, as Wellstone often did, and exhorted the crowd to keep Wellstone's dream alive.
The crowd of over 30,000 filled Williams Arena, the adjacent sports pavilion, and spilled onto the sidewalks around the facilities. People began lining up as early as noon for the 6:30 p.m. homage.
The ceremony included tributes not only to Senator Paul Wellstone, but his wife, daughter, and the three campaign workers who died in the crash: Will McLaughlin, Tom Lapic, and Mary McEvoy.
The crowd erupted with cheers as Walter Mondale entered Williams Arena. Only former President Bill Clinton rivaled the applause for Mondale.
Other Democratic luminaries who received large ovations included former Vice President Al Gore, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
"People just came here because it is the place to be, to make a connection to the family," said one Wellstone supporter standing outside.
Officials said they made every effort to make the event accessible to anyone who wanted to come. At the urging of the Wellstone's sons, there were no metal detectors at the arena.
The congressional delegation was led by former president Bill Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Clintons received a standing ovation. It was expected that one half of the Senate would attend the service.
The procession of political leader was the second of three procession of guests to enter the arena. Wellstone staff entered first. The third procession consisted of members of the victims' families. The band Sounds of Blackness sang during the procession.
Former St. Paul mayor George Latimer was the first speaker.
"I join with you tonight, in trying to demonstrate the historic effort of putting aside crushing grief in order to celebrate the lives which have been take away from us," Latimer said " And when we do that, and we will, together it will be because Paul Wellstone would not have it any other way."
Latimer received cheers with a quote from Robert Frost.
"We going to hear about and celebrate the loves of those we've lost, but we're also going to hear about the ideals they shared with and the values that have in the belief that a free and caring people can overcome war, pestilence and the loss of common sense," Latimer said.
The brother of Will McLaughlin, the University of Minnesota political science senior, who worked as a personal assistant and driver for Wellstone, says everything his brother did was "top-notch."
David McLaughlin says his brother was much the same as Wellstone — both wanted to do things their own way and didn't listen to people who tried to tell them what to do.
David McLaughlin told several stories at tonight's memorial service about Will and Wellstone's nuanced relationship. One, in particular, was as Wellstone and Will McLaughlin were driving to an event and the senator noticed another car with a Wellstone bumper sticker.
Wellstone told Will to "pull up next to them so I can wave." He did and Wellstone waved but was disappointed that they didn't wave back.
Will held back a chuckle and waited a few days to point out that the windows were tinted and they couldn't possibly have seen him.
Brian Ahlberg told the crowd gathered at the memorial service that Tom Lapic had a powerful commitment to justice much similar to the late Senator Paul Wellstone, saying it is exactly what drew them to work together.
The 49-year-old Lapic served as Wellstone's right-hand man, prepping him for speeches and debates. Colleagues say there was no subject he wasn't versed at.
“There was no sweeter and gentler soul than Tom,” said Ahlberg. “Yet he was so clear-thinking, balanced and determined.”
Ahlberg, said Lapic was so valuable to the campaign that the Senator insisted kept him close by during the final weeks of the campaign.
Ahlberg says Lapic's computer screen-saver said it all: "Tom loves Trudy."
He says Lapic never changed the message or turned off the computer, with the three words floating across the screen all day, every day.
Interim University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks says the school has lost one of its brightest lights in Mary McEvoy.
“She was a force, she was a spark and she reached an incredible number of people when she was with us on this earth,” Bruininks said.
The 49-year-old McEvoy taught special education courses at the university and helped the late Senator Paul Wellstone with legislation regarding education.
Bruininks says she died doing what she loved — making a positive influence in the lives of others. He says she worked tirelessly for social justice.
Bruininks recruited her to the university and calls her one of his dearest friends.
McEvoy is survived by her husband and three teenage children.
Marcia Wellstone Markuson
Marcia Wellstone Markuson left her imprint on the entire White Bear Lake community in her short time there, that was the message of the two people who came to eulogize her.
White Bear Lake High School Principal Larry DeNucci says she encouraged hundreds of students to succeed in life.
The 33-year-old Markuson was a Spanish teacher at the school, who took a leave to work on her father's campaign full-time.
Her best friend, Theresa Saxe, told the crowd at tonight's memorial service that Markuson lit up the room with her contagious smile wherever she went.
Markuson was killed along with her parents and five others in Friday's plane crash. She is survived by her husband, Todd, and four children.
College and a baby prevented Marcia Wellstone Markuson from helping her father's previous bids for the U.S. Senate.
Markuson and her mother, Sheila Wellstone, campaigned every day in the state, filling in for Sen. Wellstone while he was back in Washington. The daughter did outreach on college campuses and the Latino community.
Sheila Wellstone
Among the stories told about Sheila Wellstone at Tuesday's memorial detailed how would leave notes for her husband everywhere.
They would tell Senator Paul Wellstone what he should wear or give instructions to heat up leftovers. The notes often ended with three words "We will win."
The crowd gave a minute-long standing ovation when the senator's state director Connie Lewis told that story.
Lewis called Sheila Wellstone a strong advocate for women's rights and against domestic violence. She says Wellstone believed everyone had the right to grow up in a safe home.
The remembrances turned political when the first of four speakers to talk about Wellstone, campaign treasurer Rick Kahn, took the podium.
"We are going to win this election for Paul Wellstone."
Several times throughout his speech, Kahn begged the Democratic crowd to vote on November fifth to keep Wellstone's legacy alive.
Kahn even called on Republican senators in attendance to stand up in the election's final days and to urge others to keep Wellstone's dreams going forward.
Kahn told the crowd: "We can redeem the promise of his life if you win this election for Paul Wellstone."
Kahn's speech has raised anger in Democrats and Republicans alike. By 10:15 p.m., KARE TV's operator had logged more than 100 calls. It is unknown how many call went to the station's voicemail system.
One Republican official said Kahn's speech will benefit the GOP. He said call were flooding in to party headquarters, with many callers offering to donate money.
After brief, mostly sentimental, speeches by Wellstone's two sons — Iowa Senator Tom Harkin continued the politicking with a fiery speech.
Harkin began on a tender note, calling the late Wellstone his best friend in the Senate.
But then, Harkin said, Wellstone was one of those "rare souls who many saw as their best friend.
"He had a powerful authenticity, to let a miner on the Iron Range know he was as important as the President of the United States."
Harkin said, "no one ever wore the title of Senator better or used it less."
But by the end of his remarks, Harkin had shed his jacket and was imploring the crowd of about to work on Wellstone's behalf.
That likely means backing Walter Mondale, who is expected to take Wellstone's ballot spot after a Democratic party meeting Wednesday evening.
"Paul never meant it to be a solo voyage. He wanted us all on board. Now we must continue Paul's journey for justice. So tonight, I ask you: Will you stand up and join together and board that bus?" |
