Senator No retired from the Senate in 2002 and suffered a series of serious health issues:
The Heritage Foundation’s president, Ed Feulner, hailed Helms as “one of the most consequential figures of the 20th century.”
“Along with Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, he helped establish the conservative movement and became a powerful voice for free markets and free people,” Feulner wrote.
“The defeat of Soviet communism and the rise of Ronald Reagan would not have happened without his intrepid leadership at decisive times.”
Senator Helms was awarded The Heritage Foundation’s highest honor in 2002:
“In an age when political one-upmanship is more fashionable than political statesmanship, Jesse Helms is an exception. Sometimes his voice has been a lonely one speaking out for the Founders’ vision of limited government and traditional values. For 30 years, he has earned the right to be called the Honorable Mr. Helms.
“A dedicated, unflinching and articulate advocate of conservative policy and principle—yes, one tough cookie—Senator Helms is driven by a sincere love of country and a sense of duty to make all of America a better place.
“But for all his toughness, there is also a warmth and tenderness—a love not only of country, but also of people. There is the loving husband, married to Dorothy for six decades. There is the proud father, with three equally proud children. And there is the gracious Southern Gentleman, who is just as respectful of the woman who cleans his office at night as he is to world leaders, colleagues and official visitors.
“This is Jesse Helms: a towering public figure that history will always recognize and remember for his kindly and courtly demeanor, his unbending patriotism, his commitment to principle, and his dedication to Duty, Honor, Country and Family.”
Update:
The reaction, from the “compassionate” left, via the Democratic Underground is typical:
NC_Nurse
Let the grave dancing commence…:popcorn:
Connie_Corleone
I thought he was already dead. Oh well. Good riddance The world is a better place without him.
Newsjock
Old bastard probably couldn’t bear living under a Negro president. Rot in hell, you anti-American piece o’ crap.
Riddler
Good riddance to another racist homophobe. As a native and life-long resident of North Carolina, I viewed this man as an embarrassment to the state that I love, and someone who pandered to the most disgusting, vile, hate-filled elements of our society. I’m glad to see our state now rid of this pox. Now as soon as the entire Bush, Cheney and Rove clans are eradicated from this earth, it will be a much gentler planet.
GreenTea
bout fucking time, these old republican racist, fascist fucks live way too long…Fascist like George Schultz is still fucking alive, David Rockefeller, Henry Kissinger, George HW Bush, will these lying, hateful, greedy fucks die already!
Harvey1
Helms was a NAZI. I’m glad the Nazi scum has finally gone to Hell. Thank Christ Helms, Reagan and Heston all got the Alzheimer’s they richly deserved.
Right Click for URL
July 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am
May his journey to Hell be swift.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am
“In one noted editorial, he suggested building a wall around the UNC campus, which he called the “University of Negroes and Communists,” so that its liberal sentiments could be contained.”
July 4th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I hope when he reached the other side, he encountered a black, lesbian God.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Good riddance!
July 4th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Jesse was one of the biggest racist to ever come down the pike.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Rest in Peace Sen. Helms…
I use the pages of The DUmp on occasion too, but only when I need a prime example of what it is we are fighting..
July 4th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Thank god he’s dead. He was horrible human being. And the Heritage Foundation, and all those who heaped praise on him, are just as horrible as he is. Jess Helms was AGAINST giving black people the right to vote. He was AGAINST civil rights of all kinds. He was a hateful, despicable human being, and as a sitting senator, threatened the life of his president. Great american? Anyone who thinks so is a racist pig just like he was.
July 4th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I don’t feel death is more deserving for a person. He was not a good or decent person what so ever. He was a racist, sexiest, homophobic. For a person who claims to believe in God and the bible his actions displayed the opposite of what the bible taught. How he remained in office for so long with the views he had, things he said and actions he displayed is amazing. It goes to show you the type of person they look for to not only run for office but stay. I feel this will be a little bit more of a better world with out him.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Jessie was a peice of human garbage so vile that it makes me wonder how a loving God could allow such a thing to live so long. Jessie Helms was the embodiment of hate in all its most antisocially malignant forms. Jessie Helms was no southern gentleman he was an misantropic activist whose every word, thought, deed and poluted society and its body politic. Why the very air about Jessie Helms stank of the rotting corpses that were the strange fruit hanging from southern trees of which Billy Holiday sung.
If Jessie Helms is not right this minute roasting for eternity in the fires of hell like muffins and kippers then there is no good reason to have a devil at all. Jessie Helms was a most evil social parasite for which his death was the only true cure. Sure there will be those who will pick up the banner of evil and in so doing they will hold the innocent blood soaked standard that was his life up high in empty praise. But let me not be inhumane. Even in death a man must do some good and Jessie Helms is no exception. In death Jessie Helms if finally doing one good thing. In death the ugly bloated body of Jessie Helms rots feeding Earth’s wee organisms. What joy to know feasting themselves are maggots, worms and bacteria all of which proved to be far more educated compassionate forms of life than Jessie ever was in life.