Gaylord Nelson, the Man from Clear Lake
By Bill Christofferson, University of Wisconsin Press
Senator Gaylord Nelson, (1916-2005), known as the Father of Earth Day, grew up in Clear Lake, a small community (pop. 1,100) in northwest Wisconsin. His life there among the many lakes and woods shaped his politics and concern for the environment.
Nelson grew up a very political family, supporting the Progressive Party (“the people against special interests”). Wisconsin was an exciting place to be in the 30’s and 40’s. Nelson identified strongly with this party. After receiving his Law Degree from the University of WI, he served in WWII. Upon return he ran for election in 1946 for state assembly; when defeated he joined a Law Firm in Madison, the state Capital. Politics were changing; the modern Democratic party of Wisconsin was born in 1946.
He ran successfully for the Wisconsin State Senate in 1948. Nelson was a gregarious, popular candidate. He was elected Governor in 1958, when many Democrats finally won. He soon laid out a plan for the State to begin buying up land to expand state recreational and conservation use. He saw how overcrowded the few state parks were becoming. Families from the populated areas of Chicago and Northern Illinois were seeking nature retreats in Wisconsin. He served two terms as Governor.
In 1962, he was elected US Senator, a position that he held for 18 years. He loved a good debate – many of these were held in Washington bars and restaurants as well as the many parties held at his home. His wife Carrie was known as a great hostess. Always “a small town boy”, he befriended senators on both sides of the aisle. Personal relationships paid dividends and often trumped political and philosophical differences in the Senate.
He started introducing legislation to protect the environment almost immediately upon arriving in the Senate. He introduced many bills, most of which were ignored! Others were promoted by others without giving him credit, which seemed OK with him. Most of them took years and years to become law.
He got the idea to have an “Earth Day” in 1969 while watching the Teach-Ins during the Vietnam War. Using that model he set up an organization and contacted college campuses to set up “Environmental Teach-Ins”. The movement grew spontaneously and much beyond any expectations. The small office staff assembled for it gave few instructions and encouraged people to “do something”. They did! As a result the 1970’s saw 28 major environmental laws passed and hundreds of other public lands bills to protect and conserve natural resources.
The Reagan Republican landslide in 1980 removed Nelson and many other liberals from the Senate. Soon after, he became Chairman of the Wilderness Society, an organization devoted to preserving American’s public lands and keeping them wild. This was an ideal job for Nelson, a position in which he would serve until his mid-80’s. I was struck by a few things:
- Republicans and Democrats are still arguing about the same things.
- It takes a long time to get your ideas through.
- One person, with persistence, can have an impact.
Reviewed for the Sustainability Book Club, affiliated with Bread Riot, by Dottie Hoy, January 2012