Date: 2007-09-10
Speaker: HERSETH SANDLIN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. it is my privilege to rise today in support of H.R. 2654. legislation honoring the life and legacy of Eleanor McGovern. by officially designating the post office in her hometown of Woonsocket. South Dakota. as the "Eleanor McGovernPost Office Building." In making this essential recognition. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts. Congressman JIM McGOVERN. and the gentlelady from California. Congresswoman LYNN WOOLSEY. for their support of this bill. Mr. Speaker. Eleanor Stegeberg was born 1921 and raised on a farm near Woonsocket. South Dakota. during the Dust Bowl years of -the 1930s. As with many families of that era. times were tough. but Eleanor cherished her upbringing in the small prairie town of Woonsocket. which is known for a sweet melon crop in the summer and ample pheasant hunting in the fall. as well as scenic Lake Prior. which gave the community its nickname. "the town with the beautiful lake." Eleanor and her twin sister. Ila. were varsity debaters at Woonsocket High School. Eleanor no doubt caught the eye of her future husband George McGovern. a student at a nearby high school. by besting him in a regional debate tournament. In fact. Senator McGovern always acknowledges as much. Eleanor graduated as salutatorian and next enrolled at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell. South Dakota. where she and George were fellow students and where they fell in love. The couple married on October 31. 1943. when. like so many of that generation. George was preparing to ship out for service as a B24 bomber pilot in World War II. Eleanor gave birth to their first of five children while George was overseas. George McGovern would go on to serve the State of South Dakota and the country in many roles: Senator. ambassador. airman. statesman. and the 1972 Democratic nominee for President. All the while. Eleanor was his strong and equal partner. During that Presidential campaign. Eleanor blazed a trail and made headlines of her own while campaigning solo across the country for George. Like none before her. she engaged crowds on the campaign trail with her eloquence and intelligence and was a fierce and effective advocate on a range of policy issues. Eleanors high profile helped transform and heighten public perception of the role and value of women in politics. Aside from politics. Eleanor worked as a tireless advocate for children and families throughout. her life. She served on the boards of directors for Dakota Wesleyan University. the Psychiatric Institute Foundation. the Child Study Association. the Erickson Institute of Chicago. and Odyssey House of New York. She founded the Martha Movement and was a development officer for the Child Development Associates Consortium. Following the tragic death of the McGoverns daughter. Terry. in 1994. Eleanor was a passionate speaker on alcoholism. and with her family. established the McGovern Family Foundation in Washington D.C. to raise funds for alcoholism research. Eleanor and George also led a worldwide effort to combat hunger. working towards a goal of eradicating hunger by 2030. In 2006. Dakota Wesleyan University. Eleanor and Georges alma mater. launched the George and Eleanor McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service. which offers a range of public service and leadershipcentered programs for students. faculty. staff. and the national and global community. Through this program and its annual McGovern Center Conference. the issues that George and Eleanor McGovern have championed continue to receive the attention and focus they deserve. Eleanor McGovern passed away on January 25. 2007. at the McGoverns home in Mitchell. South Dakota. She was 85. Throughout her life. Eleanor and George formed a true partnership of shared trust and responsibilities. George commonly refers to Eleanor as his most helpful critic and most trusted adviser. Eleanor herself wrote in her 1973 memoir. titled "Uphill: A Personal Story" "I was determined to help with Georges career. not only by taking responsibility for the family. but by contributing ideas. In fact. I never considered it Georges career. it was ours." I urge all Members to support the passage of this legislation that honors the life. works and service of an extraordinary woman and an .extraordinary American. Eleanor McGovern.