On this date in 2002, Minnesota lost a Great Statesman....Paul Wellstone.

My husband and I had the pleasure of knowing the late Sen. Paul Wellstone and his wife, Sheila. They were as down to earth and humble as anyone I knew.

In 2001 in Duluth, we matched with Paul at the Holiday Inn there who refused to pay their workers decent wages. We went door knocking with him. We were with him at the DFL Booth at the Minnesota State Fair in 2001 and 2002, at the Old House of Labor for UAW drawings with his arm around me, we met and at various events campaign and non-campaign related. He was a man with a big heart, no airs about him, a stature taller than Wilt Chamberlain, yet very grounded .

When October 26, 2002 came around, my husband called me at the Costume Shop I was working at in Rochester to tell me the news, as he was at work that day. It was as if a member of the family had died. Two days later at the Memorial at Williams Arena on the U of M campus, he attended with others in the DFL. The Memorial pin everyone was given to commemorate the event, we still have.

Rest In Power Paul and Sheila, along with a State DFL official. Your lives and words are never forgotten.

"WE all do better, WHEN we all DO BETTER".

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This is the pin I am wearing today.