I note with some sadness the passing of Alan Simpson, the three-term Senator from Wyoming
Alan Simpson was a Republican and, as such, I rarely agreed with his political views. Nevertheless, I did recognize that in the era of the 1980s and 1990s, he at least seemed to be a man of principal. That perception was confirmed years after he retired when I learned about his long-term friendship with Norm Mineta, the long-time Democratic Congressman from San Jose who served as the first Asian American Cabinet Secretary under President Bill Clinton.
What touched me was the friendship that developed between Alan Simpson and Norm Mineta when they were merely boys. It was during World War II and Mineta was incarcerated in the Heart Mountain Internment Camp near Simpson hometown of Cody, Wyoming. The tale of their bromance became the subject of some very touching stories after the two men retired from politics
However, even though they both are gone now, in a very real sense their bromance is something that is needed now more than ever. And so, today I share their story and today, I pray, that somehow the spirit of brotherhood they shared can begin to flourish again in this all too troubled land.
Rest in Heaven, Alan Simpson and Norm Mineta and, if we are lucky, maybe one day we too shall find such
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
