George McGovern

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George S. McGovern
United States Senator
from South Dakota
In office
January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1981
Preceded byJoseph Bottum
Succeeded byJames Abdnor
Chair of the United States Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs
In office
July 1968 – December 1977
Preceded byCommittee created
Succeeded byCommittee abolished
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Dakota's 1st district
In office
January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1961
Preceded byHarold Lovre
Succeeded byBen Reifel
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture
In office
April 15, 1998 – October 19, 2001
Appointed byBill Clinton
Preceded byLaurie Tracy
Succeeded byTony Hall
Personal details
Born
George Stanley McGovern

(1922-07-19)July 19, 1922
Avon, South Dakota, U.S.
DiedOctober 21, 2012(2012-10-21) (aged 90)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic Party
Spouse(s)Eleanor Stegeberg (1943–2007)
ChildrenAnn
Susan
Teresa
Steven
Mary
Alma materDakota Wesleyan University
Northwestern University
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal (3)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army Air Forces
Years of service1943–1945
Rank First Lieutenant
Unit741st Bomb Squadron
455th Bombardment Group
15th Air Force
Battles/warsEuropean Theatre of World War II

George Stanley McGovern (July 19, 1922 – October 21, 2012) was an American historian and politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life[change | change source]

McGovern was born in Avon, South Dakota on July 19, 1922.[1] He studied at Dakota Wesleyan University and at Northwestern University.

Career[change | change source]

McGovern was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota's 1st district from 1957 through 1961. After that he was the Senator of South Dakota.

In 1968, McGovern decided to run for President because Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.[2] McGovern was the Democratic presidential nominee for the 1972 presidential election. His running mate was Sargent Shriver. He lost to Richard Nixon.

Later he was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture from 1998 through 2001.

Personal life[change | change source]

McGovern was married to Eleanor Stegeberg from 1943 until her death in 2007. McGovern is survived by his 4 daughters. His son (July 27, 1952 - July 27, 2012) was an alcoholic.[3]

Death[change | change source]

McGovern died on October 21, 2012 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from natural causes, aged 90.[4]

References[change | change source]

  1. Current Year Biography 1967, p. 265.
  2. Hunter, Majorie (August 11, 1968). "M'Govern Opens Presidential Bid With Peace Plea" (fee required). The New York Times. p. 1.
  3. McGovern's son dies
  4. "Former U.S. Sen George McGovern dead at 90". The Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. October 21, 2012. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to George McGovern at Wikimedia Commons