Greetings.
As part of an on-going research project, I am doing some work on the late
Ernest Gruening, Senator from Alaska until 1968. I am particularly
interested in his work opposing the Vietnam War, and I would appreciate and
suggestions, tips, or thoughts people on this list might have.
For those of you who may not remember him, Sen. Gruening was one of only
two Congressmen to vote against the Tonkin Gulf Resolution in 1964. He
remained a critic of the war while in the Senate, and continued his
opposition after his election defeat in 1968. Until his death in 1974, he
remained active as a speaker, criticizing the nation's role in all of
Southeast Asian and this country's treatment of those who opposed the
Vietnam War. In fact, one of his last public acts was his testimony before
the House Judiciary Committee urging amnesty for those who evaded the draft.
Having graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, my understanding
of Gruening's role in the antiwar movement is obviously skewed. Compared
to almost anyone else in the state, Gruening seemed like a radical on the
Vietnam War. But American history presents him as a mere footnote,
overshadowed by colleagues in Congress--Church, McGovern, Fulbright, and
even his fellow opponent of the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, Wayne Morse.
If anyone out there has any thoughts on Gruening, any memories of seeing
and hearing him speak on the war, or just a sense of the view other parts
of the antiwar movement had of his participation, I would really like to
hear from you, either through the list-serv or directly at my e-mail
address. Also, any resources for such information from other sources would
be greatly appreciated.
Though this is perhaps too specific a topic for the list, perhaps some of
you might wish to comment on the role of Congressional opponents to the
Vietnam war in more general terms. Just how extensive was their
opposition, how extensive was their support of other antiwar groups? How
did you folks who participated in the movement relate and react to them?
Thanks in advance.
Kind.
****************************
Craig M. Kind ckind@uci.edu
Department of History Grad Program
University of California, Irvine
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