

SEN. JESSE HELMS, FOUNDER OF THE SENATE STEERING COMMITTEE

Today several senators, including Sen. DeMint, attended the funeral of former Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.). Highly regarded as a conservative hero, Helms founded the Senate Steering Committee now chaired by DeMint. In his memoir, "Here's Where I stand," Helms explains how the formation of the committee came about after hearing of the Roe v. Wade decision after which he and his conservative colleague, Sen. Jim Buckley of New York, agreed to do all they "could to overturn this misguided and tragic decision": That court decision also led all of the conservatives, regardless of party, to come together to form the Senate Steering Committee. I had noticed the way Ted Kennedy would come to the floor, with several Senators following, prepared to talk all afternoon. They were organized and had a plan. Several of us thought that we needed to formally organize a response, so the Senate Steering Committee was started. Today the Senate Steering Committee is made up of about thirty-five conservative Senators (all Republican right now). They meet for lunch every Wednesday, to talk with each other and to hear from invited speakers who come to present important ideas. The entire chapter is worth reading. Click here to view. As DeMint noted last week, Helms fought for liberty on every front and will be remembered as a giant of the right for decades to come. “Jesse Helms spent his life fighting for liberty and freedom, and his fearless courage to stand on principle inspired a generation of conservatives," said DeMint. "He was a pivotal leader in helping win the Cold War, a tireless defender of the unborn, and a reformer who held the United Nations accountable. “Jesse Helms will always be remembered alongside Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater as a hero to conservatives. As we celebrate America’s independence, we also mourn the loss of a great patriot.”

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