Orval Faubus

The passing of Orval Faubus is significant in that he had outlived his era by so many years.

Faubus was truly a pioneer who drastically altered the social structure of America and indeed the world, in one day in September, 1957.

The actions by Faubus, though scorned by the liberals of that day, were the actions of common sense, made by a man who understood history and the mentality of the people of Arkansas more so than much of the press and news media. Faubus averted possible deaths and a probable “civil war” in Arkansas, and the victims would have most surely been the nine black students--truly pawns on a political chessboard!

Every elected official must make decisions that may not be popular to those who don’t understand the true motivations behind them, but I’m certain that Orval E. Faubus will be remembered by future historians and students as a man who made the correct decision.

EDDIE CRESS

Los Angeles