Paul seemed to have a gift for making each person he met feel special, noticed...I did.
I heard Paul speak at the 1988 DFL state convention in Rochester. I didn't know who he was, but he made a big impression on me. Today he's probably the only thing I remember about that affair - no, I take that back: I remember the fuzzy pink slippers Eva Young wore during a floor demonstration, too.
In May 1989 Paul had announced his long-shot intention to run for US Senate, and Scott Adams, Paul's lone campaign worker, phoned me and asked if I'd host a house party/fundraiser for Paul. When I said yes, Scott was astonished. Seems that he'd been working his way through the state delegate list to find support for Paul and he'd called through all the "A's" and well into the "B's" before he got to me, Berget, the first "yes".
So on a cold day in June I invited 50 friends and neighbors in to meet Paul. Most of them had never heard of him. He arrived with Sheila. She was so nervous her palms were sweating and I don't think she said 10 words that evening. Paul stood on the piano bench so people could see him when he gave his trademark stemwinder speech. When he came to the end of his remarks, David Tilsen said "Paul, you forgot to ask for money." Paul said he couldn't do that, that he hated to ask for money. Tilsen said, "Okay then, I will." So Tilsen asked for contributions. I don't think we raised $100 that night, but the race was on.
The 1990 campaign was a high water mark for me and for just about everyone who joined in. I don't think I ever believed in another political effort the way I believed in Paul. He was the genuine article, passionate, idealistic, tireless and principled. Not only that, he had the ability to inspire those around him to work for their beliefs and to believe that through their work, all things were possible.
Paul showed us the way by working for his beliefs every day of his life. We can keep his spirit alive by putting his lesson to work in our own lives, in our own communities. There may be no finer tribute...
Ann Berget
Kingfield
