Charles Harting Percy

Charles Harting Percy was an American businessman and politician who served as a United States Senator from Illinois from 1967 to 1985. He was a member of the Republican Party and was known for his moderate views and his commitment to public service. Percy was a prominent figure in American politics during the 1960s and 1970s, and he played a key role in shaping the country's foreign policy and domestic policy. He was also a strong supporter of civil rights and social justice, and he worked closely with other prominent politicians, including Hubert Humphrey and Nelson Rockefeller.

● Early Life and Education

Charles Harting Percy was born on September 27, 1919, in Pensacola, Florida, to Edward Percy and Elizabeth Harting Percy. He grew up in a family of modest means and was raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended New Trier High School. Percy then went on to attend University of Chicago, where he studied economics and political science and graduated in 1941. During his time at the university, he was heavily influenced by the ideas of Milton Friedman and Frank Knight, and he developed a strong interest in free market economics and limited government. After graduating, Percy served in the United States Navy during World War II, where he saw action in the Pacific Theater and was stationed on the USS Enterprise (CV-6).

● Business Career

After the war, Percy began his business career at Bell & Howell, a leading manufacturer of motion picture equipment and photographic supplies. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the company's chief executive officer in 1949. Under his leadership, Bell & Howell expanded its operations and became a major player in the global market. Percy was also a pioneer in the field of corporate social responsibility, and he implemented a number of innovative programs to improve the company's environmental sustainability and community engagement. He was a member of the Chicago Club and the Economic Club of Chicago, and he worked closely with other business leaders, including Henry Ford II and Reginald H. Jones.

● Political Career

Percy's entry into politics was motivated by his desire to serve the public and to make a positive impact on American society. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1966, defeating the Democratic Party candidate, Paul Douglas. During his time in the Senate, Percy was a strong advocate for bipartisanship and compromise, and he worked closely with politicians from both parties, including Ted Kennedy and Bob Dole. He was a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and played a key role in shaping the country's foreign policy, particularly with regard to China and the Soviet Union. Percy was also a strong supporter of human rights and democracy, and he worked closely with other politicians, including Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski.

● Personal Life

Percy was married to Lorraine Bergman Percy and had two daughters, Sharon Percy Rockefeller and Gail Percy Koff. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and was active in a number of charitable organizations, including the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Percy was also a strong supporter of the arts and culture, and he served on the board of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Art Institute of Chicago. He was a close friend of Adlai Stevenson II and John F. Kennedy, and he was deeply affected by their assassinations.

● Legacy

Charles Harting Percy's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is remembered as a moderate Republican who was committed to public service and social justice. Percy's work on foreign policy and human rights has had a lasting impact on American politics, and he is widely regarded as one of the most influential politicians of his generation. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan, and he received numerous other awards and honors, including the Congressional Gold Medal and the National Humanities Medal. Percy's commitment to bipartisanship and compromise has inspired a new generation of politicians, including Barack Obama and John McCain, and his legacy continues to shape American politics today. Category:United States Senators from Illinois