Happy Birthday Hubert!

Humphrey Centennial

May 27, 2011, marks the 100th anniversary of Hubert H. Humphrey’s birth. As his self-designated “living legacy,” the Humphrey School will spend the academic year highlighting, not only his amazing legislative and personal accomplishments, but also how we are fulfilling that legacy today by working on some of the same tough challenges he addressed and by training the next generation of leaders.

We officially kicked off this celebratory year on September 15 with the premier of The Art of the Possible, a documentary by Mick Caouette that was almost 10 years in the making. The film will debut on public television stations across the country in October, and on Twin Cities Public Television at 8 p.m. on November 18.

The Humphrey Policy Legacy: Problem Solving for a Better World

Author of literally thousands of pieces of legislation, Hubert H. Humphrey is considered one of the most effective lawmakers of the 20th century. An impassioned orator, Humphrey described himself as having a “zealous righteousness” burning within him.

Yet, his ultimate legislative accomplishments—the Civil Rights Bill, the Peace Corps, extension of the Food for Peace program, the landmark 1963 Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union, and scores of bills pertaining to health, education, and welfare—were achieved through pragmatism and willing compromise with his opponents.

During Humphrey’s centennial year, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs will host a series of policy discussions of current issues related to the late Senator and Vice President’s policy legacy.

All events will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Humphrey Center, 301 19th Avenue South in Minneapolis. They are free and open to the public; no registration is required.

September 29 - Dean J. Brian Atwood, The New face of International Development
October 13 - Professor Samuel L. Myers, Jr., The Humphrey Legacy: From Civil Rights to Diversity
November 10 - Deborah Fitzpatrick, Women and Political Power in the Humphrey Era and Today
December 8 - Senior Fellow Art Rolnick, Early Childhood Education Yields High Public Return: Why Aren't We Investing?
January 19 - Professor Morris Kleiner, Employer Reaction to Union Organizing
January 26 - Associate Professor Jodi Sandfort, A New Day, A New Way: Public–Private Partnerships
February 9 - Senior Fellow Lee Munnich, Jr., Transit: What Would Hubert Do?
February 23 - Professor Deborah Swackhamer, Engaging Science
March 9 - Regional Professor Edward G. Goetz, Where Have All the Towers Gone? Race, Housing, and Redevelopment in American Cities

Who is today’s Humphrey?

Who in public life today, in your opinion, best epitomizes Hubert H. Humphrey’s spirit of political courage, practical problem-solving, and joy in public service? Who is working to foster public dialogue, civility, and cooperation across political and ideological lines to achieve the common good for all of our citizens? While many bemoan the divisiveness and hyper-partisan nature of public life today, there are courageous individuals who give us hope. Tell us who you think is the modern-day Hubert Humphrey by e-mailing your ideas to amason @umn.edu.

Want to know more out our school’s namesake? Follow him on Twitter @HubertHHumphrey.