The Campaign Trail

My adventure this week takes me back several years ago to the political campaign trail.  I thought this would be a good time to reflect on this adventure since it is the week of the 2014 general election.  Most who know me and my family know of our connection with former President Bill Clinton. Before I lose any readers, let me say that regardless of how you may feel about his political leadership or his moral standards, Bill Clinton helped a man I deeply respect and miss, my Papa Jack Burns, Sr. 

My Papa Burns had worked his whole life in the coal mines around Hartford and as a result developed black lung.  Several attempts at applying for his black lung benefits were unsuccessful.  My Uncle Wendell "Buddy" Burns knew an attorney, Bill Clinton, who was retained to represent my Papa in his case to receive benefits.  Clinton represented the case successfully and my Papa received the benefits he so greatly deserved.  

As a result of Clinton's representation of my Papa, many of my family members campaigned for Clinton in his bids for Congress, Attorney General, Governor and President.  I have many memories of attending campaign rallies and nightly political discussions at our house.  While many of the campaign memories are good, some are scary.  I remember rocks being thrown at our house and our car windshield being broken out by a thrown rock.  It seems there has always been and always will be violence associated with politics.

When I was a senior in high school I was selected by the Hartford American Legion Post to attend Arkansas Girls State. Bill Clinton was serving as governor at the time.  I was appointed as the Girls' State Governor's administrative assistant and spent the day in the Governor's chambers at the state Capitol where I once again was reacquainted with Bill Clinton.  As soon as I introduced myself as Terri Burns from Hartford, he immediately recalled that I was Jack's granddaughter.  Today I proudly have a display in my office of political memorabilia including personal letters, campaign stickers and photos from those campaign days. 

As a librarian I understand  and respect the influence and power of the written word.  I am so honored to be Jack Burns, Sr.'s granddaughter.  

The excerpt from the book "My Life" reads:  "He was about five feet four inches tall and couldn't have weighted much more than one hundred pounds.  Jack was an old-fashioned man of quiet dignity, who was severely damaged by black lung.  He was entitled to the benefits, and he and his wife badly needed them to help pay their bills.  In the months we worked together, I came to respect both his patience and his determination.  When we won his case, I was almost as happy as he was."

The written words by former United States President Bill Clinton in his book "My Life" sums up my Papa, the man who was Jack Burns, Sr.  

 Clinton, William Jefferson.  2004.  Random House. New York, New York.