Center for Reintegration >> Media

1944-2002
A Strong Mental Health Advocate

On Saturday morning, October 25, 2002 the lives of Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MN), his wife and daughter were tragically cut short in the crash of a small plane in northern Minnesota.

Senator Wellstone brought a rare passion and energy to fighting discrimination against people with mental illnesses. In what may be his proudest legacy, he and Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., joined ranks to author legislation to require health insurance plans to provide "parity" coverage for mental illnesses. While their bill was scaled back, President Bush recently endorsed the concept, and it is seen as a pioneering step toward helping a huge segment of sick, but often ignored, Americans.

Wellstone is survived by his sons, Paul David and Mark, and his grandchildren, Cari, Keith, Joshua, Matt, Acacia and Sidney.

The Center for Reintegration joins the many mental health consumers, advocates and family members who not only mourn his death, but will miss his tireless advocacy and commitment to individual dignity and freedom.