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St. Cloud honors senator
By Carol Seavey and Crystal Meyer
 Media Credit: scott theisen The audience attending the memorial service for Paul Wellstone sings “We Shall Overcome” as they hold hands. The Interfaith Memorial Service of Remembrance took place at the University Lutheran Church of the Epiphany Sunday evening.
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 Media Credit: Blair Schlichte Sen. Paul Wellstone, right, and his wife Sheila, left, greet supporters at an SCSU campaign rally in the Ritsche Auditorium lobby Oct. 21. The Wellstones enjoyed visiting the St. Cloud area and had many friends here.
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Principled, ethical, a voice to the voiceless; these are just some of the words that come to mind for those who knew Sen. Paul Wellstone.
At a memorial service at University Lutheran Church Sunday night, citizens celebrated and honored him not only as a key political figure for Minnesota, but also as a great person.
"He loved St. Cloud and the people here," said former St. Cloud mayor, Larry Meyer. "He had a strong base of support among SCSU students and he had a lot of personal friends in the area."
Inspiring Energy
Wellstone's passion and vivacity touched many people's lives.
"I knew him as a friend, as well as a mentor and as a champion for the voiceless, and finally as a U.S. Senator," said Tarryl Clark, who is running for senate in District 15. "It is rare when you can put all those words together to describe someone and then have U.S. Senator as a title at the end."
It is also rare that someone remembers the faces and names of so many different individuals.
"He actually talked to you and treated you as if you could be a good friend," said Cheyenne Malcolm, president of SCSU's College Democrats. "He made you feel like you were a great person."
Malcolm met Wellstone on campus Monday. When she saw him again at a rally in Elk River on Thursday, he greeted her by name.
"He was just that type of guy that always had that personal touch," Meyer said. "He didn't ever forget anyone and was always so grateful for your support."
Genuine
Wellstone's attention to detail showed people that he genuinely cared.
"In the world of politics, people are more often too concerned with the impact of their vote on their re-election rather than doing what was right," said St. Cloud Mayor John Ellenbecker. "But with Wellstone, you always knew when he was voting that he did what he thought was right, not necessarily the most politically expedient thing to do."
Integrity
Honesty and integrity were always at that basis of Wellstone's political stances.
"You hear a lot today about how politics is corrupt," said Matt Zabka, president of SCSU's College Independents. "But Paul was never corrupt."
Wellstone didn't place himself above others.
"The guy walks up all by himself in a sports shirt, and you would never guess this guy is a U.S. Senator," Meyer said.
The casual demeanor came naturally to Wellstone.
"This is just the type of guy he was," Meyer said. "Twelve years as U.S. Senator didn't make his head grow any bigger. He just considered himself one of the people and never got really too big of a head and always remembered where he came from."
Many people will miss Wellstone's character and personality, whether they agreed with his political views or not.
"I disagreed with his politics almost 100 percent of the time," said Justin Byma, sophomore and chairman of the College Republicans. "He was a man of principle and stood for what he believed in."
According to Zabka, Wellstone had the people's best interest at heart.
"Even if you don't agree with everything he was trying to say," Zabka said, "he was voting for what was best for Minnesota."
Not everyone shared the same sentiment.
"I had very mixed feelings because so many people recently are being killed in the world right now," said Samuel Swenson, 22, a fourth-year student.
Lasting Impression
The traits and characteristics that Wellstone brought to the political arena may inspire future politicians.
"He will be a role model for other politicians," Malcolm said. "His genuineness and his passion for what he did will make other parties look at him and want to have that kind of passion and honesty."
Katie Chase, 22, a fifth-year student, agreed with Malcolm.
"I think he started something that the people shouldn't forget to keep it alive and going," she said.
A role model to this generation and an inspiration to the future leaders, Wellstone will be remembered as a man who related to the people and always put them first.
"He showed how the world can be a better place," Clark said. "And we need to keep his passion and sense of right alive."
Senior staff writer Kateri Wozny contributed to this story.
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