Hundreds pay respects to Jesse Helms
Photo courtesy of the Jesse Helms Center
RALEIGH -- The public is saying a final farewell to Jesse Helms on Monday.
The Republican senator died of natural causes on the Fourth of July. He was 86 years old.
His body will continue to lie in repose at his Raleigh church until 8 p.m. Monday so the public can visit. Thomas Allen was one of a dozen people who lined up an hour before the church doors opened.
"He was instrumental in not only helping me to help other people with handicaps, disabilities but just ordinary citizens who may have had tough times in their lives," said Allen, who brought with him letters he had received from the five-term senator.
Ellen Baker brought her 5-year-old son.
"He's just now entering schools and starting to pay attention to the things around him and he doesn't understand it now but maybe he'll look back and say ‘Hey, I remember [visiting the church] with my mom and we helped celebrate [Helms'] life," Baker said.
Have your say in what the lasting legacy of the five-term U.S. senator will be in our SnapPoll to the right.
Throughout the day a slow but steady line of people walked past the senator's coffin in the church Helms attended for 67 years. They paused at his casket draped with an American flag with an honor guard from the N.C. Highway Patrol nearby.
"He was a very loyal and dedicated career senator so I just like to stop by to show my appreciation and thank for him serving so long in the United States Senate," said Garland Thompson, Jr. from the Christian Leadership Council.
"I will remember Jesse Helms as a guywho spoke his mind," Baker added. "He was brave enough to say what he thought even when those things were not popular."
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It was not just supporters who came to say a final farewell to Helms. In his 30 years as a senator he ruffled a lot of feathers, but even opponents of his work came to pay their final respects.
One of his most controversial moments involved his opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
"Again even though I don't agree with all his viewpoints I feel like he did a lot for the state of North Carolina," Gary Pennington said.
Helms funeral will take place at the same church at 2 p.m. Tuesday. A private burial service will follow. News 14 Carolina will air the entire funeral live.
The church is located at 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, N.C.
Photos courtesy of the Jesse Helms Center