REMEMBERING UDALL
Conservation Icon Stewart Udall Dies
As Interior Secretary, Udall saw the passage of the Wilderness Act and other key pieces of conservation legislation.
By David Frey, 3-20-10
Stewart Udall, a Western political and conservation icon who served as Interior secretary for presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, died Saturday morning at his home at age 90.
Udall was a member of a family of influential Western Democrats. His brother Morris Udall was a congressman and one-time presidential contender. His son Tom is a New Mexico Senator. His nephew Mark is a Colorado Senator.
“My Uncle Stewart was a great public servant, and a wonderful writer and storyteller,” Mark Udall said in a statement. “He was passionate about conservation, and he was a champion of Native peoples. All those who care about our national parks and the environment will miss his voice.
“Beyond his life in public service, he was the patriarch of our family, a great mentor and role model. The Udall family will not be the same without him.”
Udall was the last surviving member of Kennedy’s original cabinet. His time as Interior secretary saw the creation of the Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers act, an expansion of the National Park System and the creation of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Born in St. Johns, Ariz., to Arizona Supreme Court Justice Levi S. Udall and Luise Lee Udall, he served four years as a gunner in Europe in World War II before opening a law practice with his brother Morris.
He served four terms in Congress, and was considered instrumental in persuading Arizona Democrats to support Kennedy in the 1960 Democratic National Convention.
After nine years at the helm of Interior, he remained interested in the environment and Western issues, which he wrote about frequently. He represented American Indian uranium miners in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah who sued the federal government over their exposure to radiation.
A memorial is planned later this year in Santa Fe.
For more on Udall, see his family’s statement, his biography and his University of Arizona Library Web site.
David Frey writes in Glenwood Springs, Colo. Follow him on his Web site, www.davidfrey.me, and on Twitter.
[End of article]Quite an impressive legacy for the Udall family, the Nation and the Kennedy and Johnston administrations.
Comment By Keith Schneider, 3-21-10Stewart Udall made his life count for principles, especially the respect he and his family shared for the land and the arts, that are now embedded in the nation's culture and economy and way of life. In our many conversations, especially those over the last year, I often noted how lucky he was to serve when he did. It was a golden age of policy making and Stewart was right at the center of it. See my tribute to Stewart here: http://modeshift.org/?p=400
Comment By John Apel, 3-22-10I had the great honor of meeting Stewart Udall as a young college student in the mid 1970s. He was extremely gracious, unpretentious and influenced my career choice. Our country is a much better place today as a result of his public service. Unfortunately it would probably be impossible for the same man to achieve nearly as much in today's political climate.
Comment By Monty, 3-25-10A great forward looking man and the world needs more like him.
Comment By Colonel Bain ~ Historian ~ Monk, 3-27-10RIP my old friends...
My prayers rise in de burning sage for Tom and all the Udall family. Yes Stewart Udall left his footprints of de Old West. You are also joined by Texas Historian B.W. Aston from Tolar, Texas who also left the flesh, to be in spirit. hummmmm
Open de gates fur these two noted Cowboys an friends so they can ride n de pastures of de eternal Kingdom. MY hats off to you Both!
Amen!
O give me a Home.. where the buffalo roam and the deer an de...
Giddup... Slow Light'n
Colonel R.H. Bain