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![]() Monday, September 14, 1998 Published at 08:17 GMT 09:17 UK ![]() ![]() World: Americas ![]() Governor Wallace dies at 79 ![]() Refusing education to blacks, 1963 ![]()
For many Americans, George Wallace was the personification of southern bigotry until, 30 years into his career, he underwent a complete political transformation, and enjoyed overwhelming support from Alabama's black population. He has even been mourned in death by the black civil rights leader, Jesse Jackson, who claimed him as a respected friend.
After winning his third term as governor, Wallace made a number of serious bids for the White House. But in 1972, on the campaign trail in Maryland, he was crippled by gunshot wounds in an assassination attempt, and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
"We thought it was in the best interests of all concerned. We were mistaken," he told a mainly black audience during his last gubernatorial campaign, in 1982. Running on a new platform - advocating racial and religious tolerance - he won an unprecedented fourth term as governor. The former President, Jimmy Carter, has issued a statement praising Wallace for changing his long-held views on race. "His political career both helped to define and to reflect the political life of our region," Mr Carter said. Over the last few years, George Wallace fought against the effects of Parkinson's disease as well as the lingering effects of his wounds. He had been in and out of hospital for many years. ![]() |
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