Here alone is human dignity not a dream, but an accomplishment. – Herbert Hoover
America is a wonderful country. This has not been the easiest year to remember that, but it is true. Yesterday, while doing research on Herbert Hoover, I went to the website of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. The homepage features this quote:
I have had every honor to which man could aspire. There is no place on the whole earth except here in America where all sons of man have this chance in life . . . Here alone is human dignity not a dream, but an accomplishment.
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover knew that to be true from his own personal experience. Hoover was born in this tiny house in the tiny town of West Branch, Iowa.
West Branch is now the home of his presidential library. Herbert Hoover’s father, Jessie Clark Hoover, was a blacksmith. He died when Herbert was only six. His mother, Hulda Minthorn Hoover, died three years later, leaving Herbert and his brother and sister orphans. Herbert went from relative to relative before moving to Oregon to live with his uncle who was a physician.
Herbert struggled in most subjects at the Quaker academy he attended there, but did well in math. He studied hard and passed the entrance exams to enter the new Stanford University in California. He majored in geology. To pay for college, he worked in a university office and did laundry for other students. He courted Lou Henry, the only female geology major in the school.
Hoover had a unique perspective on both America and other countries in the world. After college, he became a mining engineer and worked in many countries. From Australia he cabled his college girlfriend, Lou, and asked her to marry him. She cabled back that she would. They were married in 1899. Lou began to travel with her husband all over the world. The Hoovers were in China in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. They helped their fellow Americans. Lou helped to nurse wounded diplomats.
Hoover began his own business as a mining consultant, purchased silver mines in Burma, and wrote a textbook on mining engineering. He became wealthy. Hoover had a heart of compassion for people. He was in London when World War I broke out. He and Mrs. Hoover helped many fellow Americans there. Then he helped to feed the starving people in devastated Europe. After the war, Hoover founded a research library at Stanford University. Now called the Hoover Institution, this organization promotes peace, personal freedom, and limited government.
Hoover served as Secretary of Commerce under Harding and Coolidge. In 1927 Americans living along the Mississippi River experienced terrible flooding. Hoover took charge of the efforts to help them. He had nationwide respect when he ran for the presidency in 1928.
Herbert Hoover left the presidency at age 57 after one term. He and his wife continued to be generous, and Hoover continued to be active in politics. During World War II, Franklin Roosevelt appointed Hoover to be chairman of a relief organization to help Belgium, Finland, and Poland. In 1946 President Truman asked him to be coordinator of the Food Supply for World Famine.
Lou Hoover died in 1944. Hoover continued to voice opinions on political matters until his death in 1964 at age 90. Herbert and Lou Hoover are buried in West Branch, Iowa, at the site of his childhood home and the Hoover Presidential Library. Herbert and Lou Hoover’s two sons honored their parents with their careers in business and public service.
And this was the man who said:
I have had every honor to which man could aspire. There is no place on the whole earth except here in America where all sons of man have this chance in life . . . Here alone is human dignity not a dream, but an accomplishment.
I found the quote encouraging when I read it yesterday. I thought it might encourage you, too. Thank you for homeschooling your children and teaching them how to be good citizens. Thank you for teaching them what is good about our country. Thank you, most of all, for teaching them the ultimate lesson about human dignity—that they are created in the image of God and that Jesus Christ loved them so much that He died for them.
First of all, then,
I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving
be made in behalf of all people,
for kings and all who are in authority,
so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life
in all godliness and dignity.
This is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior,
who wants all people to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4