Mo Udall

Date of Birth: June 15, 1922

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: December 12, 1998

Biography

Morris King “Mo” Udall was an influential American politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona’s 2nd district from 1961 to 1991. Born in St. Johns, Arizona, Udall became known for his wit, progressive policies, and commitment to environmental conservation. He was a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 1976. Udall grew up in a family with a strong political background; his brother Stewart Udall was the Secretary of the Interior under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Mo Udall attended the University of Arizona, where he played basketball and later earned a law degree. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned to Arizona to practice law. During his tenure in Congress, Udall was a champion of Native American rights, environmental protection, and campaign finance reform. He played a significant role in the passage of the Alaska Lands Act, which preserved millions of acres of wilderness. His legacy includes the Udall Foundation, which promotes environmental education and Native American health care.

5 Interesting Facts about Mo Udall

1. Mo Udall lost his right eye in a childhood accident, leading him to wear a glass eye for the rest of his life.

2. He was a professional basketball player for a brief period, having played for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball League.

3. Udall was known for his humor and wit, often using it to defuse tense situations in Congress.

4. He authored a humorous book about his political experiences titled “Too Funny to Be President.”

5. Udall was a primary architect of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mo Udall

1. “The more we exploit nature, the more our options are reduced, until we have only one: to fight for survival.”

2. “Any fool can run for president, and many do.”

3. “You have to be realistic about the world; there are too many self-important people who think they have all the answers.”

4. “We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or to make it the last.”

5. “For those of you who worry about my health, don’t. I’ve never felt better. In fact, I feel like a million dollars. Of course, a million dollars doesn’t buy what it used to.”