| Charlie Wilson, the charismatic East Texas Democrat who represented Congressional District 2 for twenty-four years, died today at a Lufkin Hospital as reported by the Lufkin Daily News.
You'll recall that Wilson was the subject of a book and movie starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts entitled Charlie Wilson's War. This movie depicted the behind the scenes CIA Operative work that Wilson organized to help fund the Afghan Mujahideen resistance to the Soviet Union during the 1980's.
In 2008 I had the opportunity to meet former Congressman Wilson at the Texas Values in Action Coalition's Rayburn-Johnson dinner. Wilson had the packed ballroom of over 500 people rolling in laughter as he told tales of his East Texas upbringing, his first political campaign, and chided Democrats to stay focused and "declare war" against our political opponents.
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to talk with former Republican Congressman Bill Archer---the namesake of the Archer Fellowship program for which I have the opportunity and honor to serve in this semester here in Washington DC. Congressman Archer had nothing but high praise for Wilson, despite his "entertaining" past, and commented at how remarkable it was that Charlie was able to do what he did in arming the Mujahideen with little to no one knowing it was occurring.
Charlie Wilson was 76 years of age upon his passing and had undergone a number of operations on his heart, including a transplant in 2008. We'll update this post as more information and tributes become available. Please send them to us here at Burnt Orange Report. In the meantime, please feel free to add your thoughts and memories to the comments section of this post as well.
Update: Statement from Bill White
My friend Charlie Wilson was bigger than life, brought joy to all those who knew him, and was the kind of steadfastly loyal friend you'd want in a fight. He cared deeply about passing freedom down to the next generation and was a true public servant in the military and in Congress. Charlie helped move our state and our country forward. We lost a true Texan today.
More tributes are below the fold. Click here. |
