Sherry Darling
New Yorker
Got this from Wellstone Action this AM, and thought I'd pass it along. He was the real thing. 
Please check out their website, which works on issues of the death penalty, health care and a living wage (which I consider to be perhaps THE most important social justice issue in America today).
Two years ago today, a plane crash took the lives of Paul and Sheila Wellstone, their daughter Marcia, and three campaign aides - Mary McEvoy, Tom Lapic, and Will McLaughlin. On that horrible day, it seemed like the ground had fallen out from underneath all of us. It was, and still is, hard to imagine that they are gone.
Here at Wellstone Action, our work is focused on building progressive politics for the future. Yet as much as we look forward to that future, today is a day of remembrance. We miss our friends. We remember their commitment to the values we share, but more important we miss their presence in our lives - their sense of humor, their joy of life, and their friendship.
Marcia Markuson Wellstone was a talented and popular teacher who lit up a room with her contagious smile and effusive charm. Mary McEvoy was an eternal optimist with a great sense of humor, and she was one of the nation's leading experts on early childhood education. Will McLaughlin was talented, committed, and always by Paul's side, and his life ended while it just seemed to be getting started. Tom Lapic, who worked for many years as one of Paul's top aides in Washington and Minnesota, was a wise and comforting presence, and the essence of grace under pressure.
Paul and Sheila reminded us of the goodness in all of us. Sheila was soft-spoken and charming, yet she took on the issue of domestic violence with passion and conviction. She was fiercely committed to her family and loyal to her many friends, and she was Paul's partner in every aspect of their lives.
Paul was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren delighted him, and he himself had a childlike optimism and exuberance. He adored Sheila and loved taking her out to dinner and holding her hand on long walks. Paul found great joy in politics, in teaching, and in public service. He was an exceptional senator whose work made America and countless lives better.
Since the plane crash, so much has happened. We feel the absence of Paul's leadership more than ever, but we are moving forward and looking to the future. In just 18 months, Wellstone Action has grown into a 65,000-member strong organization, and we have trained thousands of progressive activists through our Camp Wellstone program. We are growing quickly and look forward to being a nationally recognized progressive organization for many years to come.
As we look ahead, we remember our friends and honor their memories. We miss them every day, but we carry with us their passion, commitment and hope for a better future. Thank you for being a part of building their legacy.
Sincerely,
Wellstone Action
Please check out their website, which works on issues of the death penalty, health care and a living wage (which I consider to be perhaps THE most important social justice issue in America today). Two years ago today, a plane crash took the lives of Paul and Sheila Wellstone, their daughter Marcia, and three campaign aides - Mary McEvoy, Tom Lapic, and Will McLaughlin. On that horrible day, it seemed like the ground had fallen out from underneath all of us. It was, and still is, hard to imagine that they are gone.
Here at Wellstone Action, our work is focused on building progressive politics for the future. Yet as much as we look forward to that future, today is a day of remembrance. We miss our friends. We remember their commitment to the values we share, but more important we miss their presence in our lives - their sense of humor, their joy of life, and their friendship.
Marcia Markuson Wellstone was a talented and popular teacher who lit up a room with her contagious smile and effusive charm. Mary McEvoy was an eternal optimist with a great sense of humor, and she was one of the nation's leading experts on early childhood education. Will McLaughlin was talented, committed, and always by Paul's side, and his life ended while it just seemed to be getting started. Tom Lapic, who worked for many years as one of Paul's top aides in Washington and Minnesota, was a wise and comforting presence, and the essence of grace under pressure.
Paul and Sheila reminded us of the goodness in all of us. Sheila was soft-spoken and charming, yet she took on the issue of domestic violence with passion and conviction. She was fiercely committed to her family and loyal to her many friends, and she was Paul's partner in every aspect of their lives.
Paul was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren delighted him, and he himself had a childlike optimism and exuberance. He adored Sheila and loved taking her out to dinner and holding her hand on long walks. Paul found great joy in politics, in teaching, and in public service. He was an exceptional senator whose work made America and countless lives better.
Since the plane crash, so much has happened. We feel the absence of Paul's leadership more than ever, but we are moving forward and looking to the future. In just 18 months, Wellstone Action has grown into a 65,000-member strong organization, and we have trained thousands of progressive activists through our Camp Wellstone program. We are growing quickly and look forward to being a nationally recognized progressive organization for many years to come.
As we look ahead, we remember our friends and honor their memories. We miss them every day, but we carry with us their passion, commitment and hope for a better future. Thank you for being a part of building their legacy.
Sincerely,
Wellstone Action
