I first learned of former Wisconsin Sen. William Proxmire in a class that studied and examined various cases of genocide. The professor mentioned Mr. Proxmire's tireless and courageous efforts to see the Senate ratify the 1948 U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Though a committed champion of human rights, the U.S. had declined to validate a treaty that would have required it to prevent and punish global actions of genocide. For two decades, Mr. Proxmire delivered 3,211 speeches on the Senate floor, imploring his colleagues to ensure that the words "Never Again" were not meaningless and hollow.
On Feb. 11, 1986, the Senate finally voted to ratify the Genocide Convention. After four decades of neglect and embarassment, the U.S. finally realized the moral implications and consequences of this international treaty. Alas, in no way should Mr. Proxmire's reputation be damaged or maligned for our country's failure to act in Rawanda and Darfur — two clear examples of genocide. His actions have only heightened our awareness and repugnance of acts of genocide, anywhere and everywhere.
Taking over infamous Joe McCarthy's Senate seat in 1957, Mr. Proxmire was an Illinois native who moved to Wisconsin in order to jumsptart his political career. His commitment to the people of Wisconsin was never questioned, however, as he easily won five consecutive terms.
A strong advocate of clean government, Mr. Proxmire was the paradigm of an uncorrupt, honest politician. As a skilled and gifted campaigner, he won the 1976 and 1982 elections without accepting a single dollar in outside campaign contributions. He spent less than $180 on each race, mostly on postage that returned unused campaign donations. There is little question that current Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, a champion of campaign finance reform, has not tried to emulate Mr. Proxmire's fiscal discipline.
Upon being named Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Mr. Proxmire devised his "Golden Fleece" awards to identify wasteful government spending. Drawing ire and condemnation from a number of academics and scientists, he would designate a number of governmental programs as extravagant and ineffective. His first award was given to the National Science Foundation for their funding of an $84,000 study on "why people fall in love." A number of my family members would always listen closely for Mr. Proxmire's "awards," as they almost always ensured a burst of laughter directed at ridiculous experiments.
A thorn in the side of lobbyists, pork-barrel projects and tax loopholes, Mr. Proxmire practiced what he preached, refusing to travel abroad on taxpayer money. Similar to current Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Mr. Proxmire was never hesitant to criticize members of his own party for superfulous projects or spending. And like Mr. Coburn, Mr. Proxmire was willing to accept his outsider status if it meant doing what was most economically prudent for the country and its future.
Sadly, Mr. Proxmire succumbed to Alzheimer's disease on Dec. 15, 2005 at the age of 90. Honored last Friday for his service and devotion to this state and its citizens, Mr. Proxmire was praised and lauded by Reps. Dave Obey, D-Wis., Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Sens. Feingold, D-Wis., and Herb Kohl, D-Wis.
In an age of political corruption, malfeasance and excessive waste, Mr. Proxmire would have served as a beacon of moral reponsibility and dignity. Shunning friendship in the smoke-filled rooms of Washington, Mr. Proxmire found himself in solitary pursuit of a number of worthy ideas that would become permanent policy. And this was fine with him. In providing an apt description of Mr. Proxmire, former University of Wisconsin political scientist Ralph K. Huitt wrote, "The essence would seem to be a driving ambition to succeed, to which almost everything else in his life is subordinated, coupled with a puritan's belief in the sanctity of unremitting work." A fitting tribute for a fine man.
Josh Moskowitz ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science and journalism.
