Charles H. Percy
Charles H. Percy
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Charles Harting Percy was a renowned American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Illinois for three terms. He is also known by his nickname, "Chuck" Percy.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: November 27, 1919
Died: July 17, 2011
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession: Politician (U.S. Senator from Illinois), Businessman (CEO of Bell & Howell)
Early Life and Background
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Charles H. Percy was born in Birmingham, Michigan, to a family of modest means. His parents instilled in him the value of hard work and public service. After graduating from Princeton University, Percy joined the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in Germany as an artillery officer.
Major Accomplishments
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Percy's most significant contributions were in the realm of politics. He was first elected to the Senate in 1966 and served three terms until 1985. During his tenure, he gained recognition for his bipartisan approach and commitment to public service. Some notable accomplishments include:
Foreign Policy: Percy played a crucial role in crafting foreign policy legislation, particularly on issues related to arms control, international trade, and human rights.
Environmental Protection: He was an early advocate for environmental protection and conservation efforts, contributing to the passage of landmark legislation such as the Clean Air Act Amendments.
Social Welfare: Percy supported measures aimed at addressing poverty, hunger, and social inequality. His work on the Food Stamp Program helped millions of Americans access nutritious food.Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to his legislative achievements, Percy was also a dedicated public servant outside of politics. He served as:
CEO of Bell & Howell: Percy's leadership at the company led to significant improvements in efficiency and profitability.
Director for various corporations: His business acumen earned him appointments to corporate boards, including IBM, Xerox, and Coca-Cola.Impact and Legacy
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Charles H. Percy left an indelible mark on American politics and public life. He is remembered for his:
Bipartisan spirit: Percy's willingness to collaborate across party lines helped foster a more cooperative legislative environment.
* Commitment to public service: His dedication to addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges continues to inspire future generations of leaders.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Percy's contributions to politics, business, and society have earned him enduring recognition. He is widely quoted for his insightful commentary on governance, public policy, and the importance of civic engagement.
Quotes by Charles H. Percy
I don't want foreign policy developed just by one party and ride roughshod over the other party.
The Republican Party just isn’t held in high repute in the black community. Under Bill Brock we were reaching out to broaden the base of the party. We have to go back to that.
I think I can do more inside the Republican Party to keep it in the center of the road. That’s where Eisenhower was. And I’m an unabashed Eisenhower Republican.
Unless we increase our economy’s productivity-its vitality and competitiveness-we will face pressure for increasing controls.
Just as important, we need a new dedication to opening avenues for employee participation and motivation through profit-sharing and innovative programs of job enrichment.
Once we recognize the fact that every individual is a treasury of hidden and unsuspected qualities, our lives become richer, our judgement better, and our world is more right. It is not love that is blind, it is only the unnoticing eye that cannot see the real qualities of people.
In our democracy we must have a partnership of labor, of business and of government.
... I feel the American public would be in a better position to exercise freedom of dietary choice if it were stated in bold print on the Goals and Food Selection pages that the value of dietary change remains controversial and that science cannot at this time insure that an altered diet will provide improved protection from certain killer diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
A U.S. Senator should have the same right as a member of the Knesset...to disagree with any government when its actions may not be in the United States' interest.
Unless we increase our economy's productivity-its vitality and competitiveness-we will face pressure for increasing controls.