Remembering Sam Ervin, Jr.

By Jennifer J. Foster

Published: April 23, 2009

Today marks the anniversary of the death of one of the most outstanding public servants of modern American history.

U.S. Sen. Sam Ervin, Jr. (D-NC), died on this day in 1985. As NPR tells us, Ervin served for 20 years in the Senate, but he made his national name when he chaired the Watergate hearings that brought down President Richard Nixon.

I admire Ervin for a cornerstone of truth he offered to Americans as their government was shaken. He said:

“If men and women of capacity refuse to take part in politics and government, they condemn themselves, as well as the people, to the punishment of living under bad government.“

It’s an eloquent way of saying, “Americans, your fate—for good or ill—lies in your hands. Don’t fumble.“

It is my favorite government quote of all time.

Read more about this great public servant—including some other great quotes—here.