“[President James Garfield] was a forceful and widely respected advocate for what he believed in, inspired trust among many and felt strongly on the great issue of his day — the future of newly emancipated Americans. He was also a powerful orator, and in his inaugural address he delivered an impassioned defense of civil rights, the likes of which was not to be made by another American president for nearly a century.”
That’s from an editorial in today’s Washington Post that commemorates President’s Day and it couldn’t be a better tribute to the unsung greatness of America’s 20th President.
At Dawson & Associates, our affection for President Garfield runs deep and proud, not just because our DC headquarters sits on the site where he once lived. Garfield’s life was distinguished with one success after another, including:
A respected Brigadier General during the Civil War,
A Congressional reformer whose actions dramatically improved the U.S. Census, and
A fiscal realist who understood the importance of improving the federal budget process.
The Washington Post’s editorial describes President Garfield’s history (he was the last of our log cabin Presidents) and his eloquent commitment to equal rights for all. It’s a wonderful tribute to an underappreciated American on this President’s Day.
Don Riley, Senior Vice President
Prior to joining Dawson & Associates, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Riley was Deputy Commanding General and Deputy Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.