Jesse Helms

Jesse Helms (October 18, 1921 - July 4, 2008) was a Senator from North Carolina. He was also the longest serving senator from that state, serving five terms. He opposed school integration, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, interracial marriage, civil rights, feminism, gay rights, disability rights, affirmative action, tax increases, abortion, the United Nations, foreign aid, communism, and giving government money to art that had nudity in it.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]} This gave him the nickname 'Senator No'.^[3][5][9] He and Strom Thurmond were leaders of the extreme conservatives (people who believe very strongly in right-wing beliefs). Before being a Senator, he was a writer.

Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr.
United States Senator from North Carolina
In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	B. Everett Jordan
Succeeded by	Elizabeth Dole
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Claiborne Pell
Succeeded by	Joe Biden
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Herman Talmadge
Succeeded by	Patrick Leahy
Personal details
Born	(1921-10-18)October 18, 1921 Monroe, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	July 4, 2008(2008-07-04) (aged 86) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Resting place	Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic (1942-1970)[1] Republican (1970-2008)
Spouse(s)	Dorothy "Dot" Helms
Children	2 daughters, 1 son
Occupation	Journalist
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1942 – 1945

Death

He had many problems with his health, including prostate cancer and Paget's disease.^[10] He remained in poor health after retirement. He began to have failing memory and confusion. At last, he was moved to a nursing home near his home in Raleigh, North Carolina^[11] On July 4, 2008, Helms died of vascular dementia at the age of 86.^[12] He is buried in Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.