McGovern Back In South Dakota After Adventurous Summer
by Jenna Mann
July 29, 2010
Former South Dakota Senator and presidential nominee George McGovern has been out of office for nearly three decades, but you wouldn't call him retired. The 88-year-old is back in Mitchell after an adventurous summer.
George McGovern hasn't been an "elected official" in 29 years, but that doesn't mean he's given up public service. He still runs the international school lunch program he started in the 60's that feeds 23 million kids in 20 countries.
"When you start one of these programs, both the girls and the boys get into school. Secondly, their grades go up, and why not? It's hard to teach a youngster on an empty stomach," said Former Sen. George McGovern.
Last month, McGovern visited some of the program's schools in Uganda and Kenya. He says there's no better feeling than knowing you've helped feed a hungry child.
"It's just a great lift to your spirits to see those little kids, thousands of them, in different parts of Africa gulping down these school lunches," said McGovern.
To help raise awareness of hunger around the world, McGovern went skydiving on July 19th, his 88th birthday.
"Was I scared to make that first jump? Yes. Anybody who tells you they weren't is crazy,"> said McGovern.
He says once is enough when it comes to jumping out of airplanes, but that doesn't mean he plans to slow down, either.
McGovern says people keep asking him when he plans to retire, and he always gives the same answer.
"I said, "I'll retire when I get old," and I left him hanging on that," said McGovern.
Making new memories and staying active in his quest to reach 100.
Friday on KDLT News, we'll find out what McGovern believes the race for Congress between Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Kristi Noem means for the future of women in politics.
