Dole Institute presents exhibit honoring former U.S. Sen. George McGovern
Former senators Bob Dole, R-Kan., and George McGovern, D-S.D.
LAWRENCE — The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will display a special memorial exhibit for former U.S. Sen. George McGovern, titled "Senator George McGovern: A Lifetime Devoted to Ending Hunger," through Nov. 15. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
McGovern, 90, passed away Sunday, Oct. 21, after admission into hospice the week prior. The exhibit follows the South Dakotan's life as a child during the Great Depression, his role as a pilot in World War II and his political career. McGovern was active in ending world hunger for more than 50 years, which is reflected in an interactive timeline portion of the exhibit. An online tribute to the senator, featuring photographs and letters from the Dole Archive, is available online.
"Together, Senators Bob Dole and George McGovern led many enduring policy initiatives, improving the lives of millions worldwide. Their remarkable relationship spanned more than 50 years of political and private life. Despite both partisan and philosophical differences, McGovern and Dole found common ground on a whole series of issues," said Dole Institute Senior Archivist Audrey Coleman.
President John F. Kennedy in 1961 appointed McGovern as the first director of the Food for Peace program, marking the start of McGovern's work to help people suffering from malnourishment across the world. McGovern reached across the aisle in Washington to gain bipartisan support for several pieces of legislation to fund programs still prominent today. Dole was involved with many of the programs initiated by McGovern, including the restructuring of the Food Stamp program, the World Food Programme, and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.
In 2004, McGovern was the recipient of the Dole Leadership Prize.
Kristine Schenk, the education and interpretation specialist at the Dole Archive and Special Collections, designed the exhibit. She earned her master's degree at KU in museum studies in spring 2011 and a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Florida in 2008.
The Dole Institute of Politics, located at 2350 Petefish Drive (just west of the Lied Center), is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit online or call (785) 864-4900.