Adlai
Stevenson II, the 31st Governor of Illinois, two-time Democratic
Party nominee for President, and the Ambassador of the United
Nations under President John F. Kennedy, was an outspoken advocate
for liberal causes and was considered one of the greatest orators
of his time. Adlai Stevenson was born into a prominent Illinois
political family: his great-grandfather was Abraham Lincoln's
campaign manager; his grandfather was Vice president of the United
States under Grover Cleveland; and his father was Secretary of
State of Illinois. Adlai Stevenson's worldview and dedication
to making the world a better place was influenced by his Unitarian
faith, which taught him the value of compromise and to appreciate
and respect the diversity of people and their beliefs, as well
as a childhood tragedy in which he accidentally shot and killed
a friend, leaving him with a lifelong commitment to "live for
two." Adlai Stevenson strongly believed in the United Nations
as an important forum to help bring about a more peaceful, just
and sustainable world. In 1945 he had helped to bring about its
creation, and twenty years later, as Ambassador he was an eloquent
advocate for democracy, arms control and global cooperation.
