Former senator Jesse Helms dies at 86
Jesse Helms, the former US Republican senator from North Carolina, whose categorical conservatism made him appear like one of America's foremost crusaders against communism, liberalism, abortion, homosexuality, fee increases and other controversial issues, died on Friday at the age of 86.
Former US Sen. Jesse Helms, an unyielding champion of the conservative movement who spent three combative and sometimes caustic decades in Congress, where he relished his battles against liberals, communists and occasionally a fellow Republican, died on the Fourth of July.