Today’s column salutes a man who modeled the Intramuralist mantra. Not necessarily a man that we always agreed or disagreed with (still searching for him or her). But yet a man who was seemingly passionate in opinion, while maintaining an obvious respect for those who felt differently than he.
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Jack Kemp, passed away Saturday evening at the age of 73. He was an unselfish congressman, loyal husband, proud father and grandfather, energetic campaigner, and an influential economic voice, especially in the 80’s. Before labeling him as a conservative, we should rightly acknowledge that Kemp’s opinions spanned the political spectrum. While stalwart in opposing abortion and supporting prayer in schools, Kemp intentionally and consistently reached out to minorities and worked to make sure all economic policy was empathetic of the poor. He was tremendously respected by parties on both sides of the aisle.
President Obama praised Kemp on Sunday, acknowledging that incredible empathy: “Jack Kemp’s commitment to public service and his passion for politics influenced not only the direction of his party, but his country. From his tenure as a Buffalo congressman to his ascent in national politics, Jack Kemp was a man who could fiercely advocate his own beliefs and principles while also remembering the lessons he learned years earlier on the football field: that bitter divisiveness between race and class and station only stood in the way of the common aim of a team to win.”
Former President George H.W. Bush articulated that he and wife, Barbara, would miss Kemp much and released the following statement: “Jack fought the good fight all his life. He exemplified for me the best of public service. He was a man of dedicated selflessness, and a man of conviction. His courage in the face of adversity inspired all who knew him."
From liberal columnist, J.P. Green, on the “Democratic Strategist”: “Jack Kemp was a sincere advocate of interracial justice and goodwill... What has not been well-reported in the obits in the major rags is that Kemp also provided pivotal, perhaps decisive support for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday legislation, twisting the arms of GOP moderates and even some conservatives to support the bill. He remained a friend of black leaders, including Coretta Scott King...”
Kemp humbly proclaimed that his gridiron career prepared him for politics. "We didn't tolerate bigotry on the field, either, Any difference in race, creed and class immediately dissolved in the common aim of a team win. Divisiveness only weakens a team. It has no place in a huddle, on or off the field."
Let me add a few more “Kempism’s”...
“Democracy without morality is impossible.”
“The supply-side claim is not a claim. It is empirically true and historically convincing that with lower rates of taxation on labor and capital, the factors of production, you'll get a bigger economy.”
“Pro football gave me a good perspective. When I entered the political arena, I had already been booed, cheered, cut, sold, traded, and hung in effigy.”
“Winning is like shaving - you do it every day or you wind up looking like a bum.”
There are many politicians today - on both sides of that aisle - who could learn much about wisdom and selflessness from the life of Jack French Kemp. Well done, sir. Thanks for your good and faithful example.
AR
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1 comment:
I actually once had cocktails with the man...I remember him as warm and personable. It's our country's loss not to have had him in Washington in recent years.
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