Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: James Strom Thurmond ( December 5 , 1902 â `` June 26 , 2003 ) was an American politician who served as a United States Senator .
Simplified: James Strom Thurmond ( December 5 , 1902 - June 26 , 2003 ) was an American politician .