Jack Kemp, the Buffalo congressman who became Bob Dole's vice-presidential running mate in 1996, died this past weekend.
Kemp, a grandfather to 17, lost his battle with cancer and, of course, is being remembered by many this week.
Elizabeth Dole recalled Kemp's "unceasing energy and boundless enthusiasm" for causes he believed in. Bob Dole said: "If you ever wanted to meet an eternal optimist, there was one. There was a solution to everything. He inspired a lot of people."
As you see in the above photo, I had a chance to meet Kemp in 1991. He was in Lake Geneva for a speech, and I was working for former Milwaukee County Executive David F. Schulz.
I always liked Kemp's entrepreneurial and optimistic approach to politics. His empowerment zone idea never took off during his tenure as housing secretary, but the idea eventually resulted in the transformation off many lives and neighborhoods. In addition, he worked with John Edwards on policy and seemed to always stay true to free market principles.
Anyway, now is not a time to talk politics. It's time to remember a fun visit for a budding youngster (me) with a former football player and politician who, if I remember correctly, had huge hands and a big smile. Rest in peace, Jack.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
