Former President Bill Clinton and other dignitaries unveiled a statue of Hubert Humphrey Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, on the State Capitol lawn. (MPR Photo/Rupa Shenoy)
Ex-Pres. Clinton helps unveil Humphrey statue
The bronze Humphrey has a finger extended, as if midway through making a point. The expression on the statute’s face is friendly, belying Humphrey’s history of delivering fiery speeches.
His most important one might have been in 1948, to the Democratic National Convention, when Humphrey was mayor of Minneapolis.
“There are those who say — my friends — to those who say we are rushing this issue of civil rights,” he said at the time. “I say we are 172 years late.”
Hubert Humphrey was what a public servant ought to be. He was a wonderful man.
You know it! He made Minnesota the great state that it has become. I’m sure he was doing backflips in his grave during the Norm Coleman- Al Franken recount.