Harris Wofford

Harris Wofford
source
Name	Harris Wofford
State	Pennsylvania
Party	Democratic
Term	1991-1995

Harris Wofford was an American politician and educator who served as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995. He was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and participating in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Wofford's commitment to public service was inspired by his experiences at University of Chicago, where he studied under Robert Maynard Hutchins, and Yale Law School, where he earned his law degree. His early career was marked by his involvement with the American Friends Service Committee and his work as a Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy.

● Early Life and Education

Harris Wofford was born in New York City and spent his childhood in Scarsdale, New York, and Washington, D.C.. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and later enrolled at University of Chicago, where he was influenced by the ideas of Robert Maynard Hutchins and Mortimer Adler. Wofford's interest in civil rights and social justice was sparked by his involvement with the Congress of Racial Equality and his participation in the Freedom Rides. He went on to earn his law degree from Yale Law School, where he was a classmate of Abe Fortas and Byron White. Wofford's education was also shaped by his experiences at Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar alongside Bill Clinton and Stansfield Turner.

● Career

Before entering politics, Wofford worked as a law clerk for Judge J. Edward Lumbard and later as a Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy, where he was involved in the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress. He also served as the president of Bryn Mawr College and later as the president of the State University of New York at Old Westbury. Wofford's career was marked by his commitment to public service and his involvement with organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He worked closely with prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, and Bayard Rustin to advance the cause of civil rights.

● Senate Career

Wofford was elected to the United States Senate in 1991, defeating Dick Thornburgh in a special election. During his time in the Senate, he served on the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Wofford was a strong supporter of health care reform and worked closely with Ted Kennedy and Paul Wellstone to advance the cause of universal health care. He also played a key role in the passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, which established the Corporation for National and Community Service. Wofford's Senate career was marked by his commitment to social justice and his willingness to work across party lines with colleagues such as John McCain and Orrin Hatch.

● Later Life and Death

After leaving the Senate, Wofford continued to be involved in public service and social activism. He served as the president of the Corporation for National and Community Service and later as the chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. Wofford was also a visiting professor at University of Pennsylvania and a fellow at the Harvard University Institute of Politics. He remained committed to the cause of civil rights and social justice throughout his life, working closely with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Wofford passed away on January 21, 2019, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy of public service and social activism that continues to inspire people today, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris.

● Legacy

Harris Wofford's legacy is one of public service and social activism. He was a champion of civil rights and social justice, and his commitment to these causes inspired a generation of activists and politicians. Wofford's work on health care reform and national service helped to shape the public policy agenda of the United States. He was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, and was awarded honorary degrees from University of Chicago, Yale University, and Harvard University. Wofford's legacy continues to be felt today, inspiring people such as Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders to work towards a more just and equitable society. His commitment to public service and social activism serves as a model for future generations of leaders and activists, including those involved with the Black Lives Matter movement and the Women's March.