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Joe Shoemaker: A Life of Service and Advocacy


Full Name and Common Aliases


Joe Shoemaker was an American politician, educator, and advocate who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on July 21, 1913, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Joe Shoemaker passed away on June 23, 2019, at the age of 105.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Shoemaker was an American citizen by birth. His professions included educator, politician, and advocate for social justice causes.

Early Life and Background


Growing up in a working-class family during the Great Depression had a profound impact on Joe Shoemaker's early life. His experiences with poverty and inequality instilled in him a strong sense of empathy and commitment to social change. After completing his secondary education, Shoemaker went on to earn degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota.

Major Accomplishments


Shoemaker's most notable achievement was his service as U.S. Representative for Colorado's 2nd congressional district from 1975 to 1981. During his tenure, he championed various legislative initiatives aimed at promoting social justice, education reform, and environmental protection. His commitment to these causes earned him a reputation as a progressive leader in Congress.

Notable Works or Actions


One of Shoemaker's most significant contributions was his co-sponsorship of the Higher Education Amendments Act of 1972, which reformed federal student aid programs and expanded access to higher education for low-income students. He also advocated for the creation of the Colorado Rural Development Council to address economic disparities in rural areas.

Impact and Legacy


Joe Shoemaker's tireless advocacy for social justice and his commitment to public service have left a lasting impact on American politics. His efforts to reform federal student aid programs paved the way for future generations of students from low-income backgrounds to access higher education. The Colorado Rural Development Council, which he helped establish, continues to address economic disparities in rural areas.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Joe Shoemaker's legacy extends beyond his legislative achievements. His unwavering commitment to social justice and his willingness to challenge the status quo have made him a respected figure among advocates for progressive causes. As an educator, politician, and advocate, he has inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in public service and advocacy. Today, his quotes and writings continue to inspire readers to work towards creating a more just society.

Shoemaker's life serves as a testament to the power of dedication and perseverance in shaping social change. His commitment to serving others, rather than personal gain, is a valuable lesson for anyone seeking to make a positive impact on their community or the world at large.

In the words of Joe Shoemaker himself, "The greatest reward in politics is not winning elections but creating conditions that benefit people." This quote encapsulates his humble and selfless approach to public service, which has left an enduring legacy in American politics.

Quotes by Joe Shoemaker

Joe Shoemaker's insights on:

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All those guys are well-deserving of those honors. Without the team, the guys couldn't get those honors. We had great team play. I'm happy for them and proud for them.
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Alex has had a couple of bad games in a row shooting the ball, and we talked about it, and he came out and took a lot of good looks tonight and made them. The team did a good job of realizing who was hot and getting the ball to him when we needed to.
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He's (Limbaugh) done a great job for us. His knees are bad, he's really hurting, and he was one of our leading scorers from last year. But he has taken on the role of team captain and has done a great job with it. He really distributes the ball well inside to open people. He's a great passer.
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I think our kids did a good job (against Bogan). He's a big guy -- he's bigger than us, taller than us, and our kids battled. That's all I can ask. He's hard to block off.
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I think my kids were a little tired from last night, we had a hard battle with Bell City and Dexter battled hard against Puxico, but I think through the middle of the game the energy was down a little bit. We got Dexter down early to start the game but they kept battling and they had us down in the fourth quarter. I have to give our kids credit for not giving up there at the end.
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Not just a whole lot. We just have to go down and defend, do what we can do and rebound the basketball.
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That's one thing that's helped us out throughout the course of the year. We've had seven or eight guys that have led us in scoring this year. (We have) guys that can come in off the bench and contribute a lot of minutes. Hopefully that's one of the things that will help us out the rest of the way.
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That's something he's always done well throughout his career is penetrate and be able to score and create off that. He's done a good job of that this year.
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That's really been one of our strengths, passing the basketball. These guys play so unselfishly. This is the best passing basketball team I've coached.
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It was by far the best we've shot from out there. We hit over 50 percent of our 3-pointers, and that's just a great percentage.
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