BRIEFING ROOM

I first crossed paths with a then-young congressional candidate named Dick Durbin in 1982, just as he was launching what would become a 44-year career in Congress. He was running in a downstate Illinois district against Paul Findley—a race that drew national attention, particularly within the Jewish community. Findley was openly anti-Israel and described himself as Yasir Arafat’s “best friend in Congress." This was exactly the kind of challenge that the newly formed JACPAC was created to confront. At the time, I had no idea the role Dick would come to play in my life—or how over the years we would keep reconnecting. I was a college student at the University of Illinois, just a couple of hours from his district. The campaign mobilized students to knock on doors and drive voter turnout. I was just beginning my journey into political activism, and the opportunity to step off campus and into real-world action was irresistible. That was the first campaign I ever worked on—the first doors I ever knocked. We waited for the results to be phoned in, precinct by precinct, and posted by hand on a giant board that night. When Dick won by just 1,400 votes, I learned a lesson that has stayed with me ever since: every vote counts. It was the first of many election nights in my life—some marked by celebration, others by disappointment—but all filled with purpose. Years later, I had the privilege of serving as Dick’s primary press secretary during his first Senate race. He was tough, driven, and demanded the best from everyone around him—and we gave it, because we believed in him. I’ll never forget our one-day fly-around the state, seven months pregnant, with Dick hopping on and off a small plane to meet with voters. Wherever we went—whether with farmers, laborers, or business owners—people welcomed Dick with warmth. He had a gift for making everyone feel seen and heard. When I began my work at JAC, I found myself reconnecting with Dick once more (along with his first fundraiser and now JAC member and friend, Nancy Kohn). Seeing him at JAC events and visiting him in Washington, D.C. has always been a pleasure. Thank you, Dick, for showing me the importance of committing to a cause you believe in. There are young people out there now, just as I once was, waiting for their own call to action. I hope they will find their own Dick Durbin, someone who inspires them to make a difference. Candidates have consequences. Hollis Wein Executive Director