Edmund S. Muskie

Date of Birth: March 28, 1914

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: March 26, 1996

Biography

Edmund Sixtus Muskie was an influential American politician who served as the 58th United States Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter. Born in Rumford, Maine, Muskie was the son of a Polish immigrant father and a local mother. He graduated from Bates College in Maine before obtaining a law degree from Cornell Law School. Muskie’s political career began in the Maine House of Representatives, but he first gained national prominence as the Governor of Maine, serving from 1955 to 1959. Muskie was elected to the United States Senate in 1959, where he served until 1980. He was known for his work on environmental issues, playing a pivotal role in the passage of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Muskie was the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential candidate in 1968, running with Hubert Humphrey, and later made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1972. After his Senate career, Muskie was appointed Secretary of State in 1980, a position he held until the end of Carter’s term in January 1981. After leaving public office, Muskie continued to be active in politics and public service, working on various commissions and boards until his death in 1996.

5 Interesting Facts about Edmund S. Muskie

1. Edmund Muskie was the first Roman Catholic Governor of Maine.

2. He was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981.

3. Muskie was known for his towering height, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall.

4. He played a significant role in the drafting of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

5. Muskie was a member of the U.S. Senate’s “Watergate Committee,” which investigated the Watergate scandal.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edmund S. Muskie

1. “In the end, all of us are remembered for our contributions to our fellow beings.”

2. “The American people have the right to know that the highest levels of government are operating with integrity.”

3. “There’s no limit to what we can achieve when we don’t care who gets the credit.”

4. “I have always believed that government by the people is the best way to secure liberty and justice for all.”

5. “Environmental protection is not just a policy but a moral responsibility.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Edmund Muskie’s highest estimated net worth during his lifetime was approximately $1 million, mainly derived from his salary as a public servant and related investments.