Jesse Helms facts for kids
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Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr.
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| United States Senator from North Carolina |
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| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | B. Everett Jordan |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Dole |
| Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Claiborne Pell |
| Succeeded by | Joe Biden |
| Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry | |
| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Herman Talmadge |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Leahy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 18, 1921 Monroe, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | July 4, 2008 (aged 86) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Resting place | Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic (1942-1970) Republican (1970-2008) |
| Spouse(s) | Dorothy "Dot" Helms |
| Children | 2 daughters, 1 son |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942 – 1945 |
Jesse Helms (October 18, 1921 - July 4, 2008) was a Senator from North Carolina. He was also the longest serving senator from that state, serving five terms. He opposed school integration, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, interracial marriage, civil rights, feminism, gay rights, disability rights, affirmative action, tax increases, abortion, the United Nations, foreign aid, communism, and giving government money to art. This gave him the nickname 'Senator No'. He and Strom Thurmond were leaders of the extreme conservatives (people who believe very strongly in right-wing beliefs). Before being a Senator, he was a writer.
Death
He had many problems with his health, including prostate cancer and Paget's disease. He remained in poor health after retirement. He began to have failing memory and confusion. At last, he was moved to a nursing home near his home in Raleigh, North Carolina On July 4, 2008, Helms died of vascular dementia at the age of 86. He is buried in Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Images for kids
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Advice from Jesse A. Helms, Sr., to his son; Jesse Helms Center in Wingate, North Carolina.
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U.S. Senator Richard Russell, Jr. of Georgia told Helms in 1952 that he hoped Helms would one day become a senator; Helms achieved this 20 years later, but Russell did not live to see it.
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The Jesse Helms Center is located next to the Wingate Town Hall.
