I met Alan Page this week at a Black History Month event. He was an impressive speaker, and an even more impressive human being. He talked about his life and career, his belief that all people deserve to have equal rights irrespective of their race, gender, sexual orientation, ability or disability. He spoke thoughtfully and with quiet passion. I was moved by his authenticity, and his kindness. He spoke about the educational foundation he and his wife created twenty five years ago, that has benefited many students and opened doors to children and young adults who might otherwise have been overlooked, or underserved.
My first memories of Alan Page include watching the Minnesota Vikings games with my parents. He was an incredible athlete. These days he is (as of 1993) a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, utilizing his considerable intellect to serve the state in yet another way. He is the first African American to be elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court; a trailblazer and a role model for Minnesota's young people. He has used his many talents to enrich all of us through entertainment, service, and philanthropy. I was truly honored to see him speak, and to hear some of the personal details of his life. He is an inspiration to me not only because of his many accomplishments, but because of his genuine compassion for other human beings. The depth of his athletic ability and intellectual capacity are clearly matched by the profound depth of his heart for humanity.
After his presentation he was gracious enough to sign autographs and pose for pictures with people from the audience, and I was thrilled to be able to be part of that. Thank you, Your Honor, for sharing your time and experiences with the rest of us. It was truly appreciated.
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