Dr. Marion Thorpe Issues Statement on Jack Kemp
Summary
According to Thorpe, "The two men became friends at a time when America was openly wrestling with such issues as Jim Crow, integration of our education system, and the civil rights movement," Of the enduring friendship between Kemp and Barnes, Thorpe further states, "To the core, these gentlemen had a natural ease with one another that made it blatantly clear that their friendship transcended all color and cultural barriers.They are a blueprint of how perseverance, moral stamina, tenacity and courage can transform a hard-working, fiercely-competitive, mud-stained, old left guard [professional football] into an accomplished, successful and revered artist.Regardless of the ‘playing field,’ whether it be the rough and tumble AFL gridiron or the hallowed halls of Congress or the Cabinetry of the U.S. Presidency, Mr. Kemp was a positive force in every sense and a gentleman’s gentleman at all times," states Dr. ThorpeDr.According to Thorpe, "The two men became friends at a time when America was openly wrestling with such issues as Jim Crow, integration of our education system, and the civil rights movement,"Of the enduring friendship between Kemp and Barnes, Thorpe further states, "To the core, these gentlemen had a natural ease with one another that made it blatantly clear that their friendship transcended all color and cultural barriers.They are a blueprint of how perseverance, moral stamina, tenacity and courage can transform a hard-working, fiercely-competitive, mud-stained, old left guard [professional football] into an accomplished, successful and revered artist.