wfn.org | Fleming, Former NCC President Dies

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3156 notes).

Note 3156 by UMNS on Sept. 9, 1996 at 16:16 Eastern (3174 characters).

SEARCH: Arthur Flemming, educator, cabinet member, civil rights,
advocate, United Methodist
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                      442(10-71B){3156}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Sept. 9, 1996

United Methodist Arthur Flemming dies;
advisor to presidents from FDR to Reagan

                 by United Methodist News Service

     Arthur S. Flemming, 91, a lifelong United Methodist who
headed the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare during
the Eisenhower administration and was president of the National
Council of Churches from 1966 to 1969, died Sept. 7 in Alexandria,
Va.
     A Republican, he was appointed in 1939 by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt as a member of the Civil Service Commission, where he
remained until 1948.  In the mid-1950's, before joining the
cabinet, he was director of the Office of Defense Mobilization.  
     An official with a passion for civil rights and who reached
across party lines, Flemming was chairman of the bipartisan, six-
member U.S. Commission on Civil Rights from 1974 to 1981.
     He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1957 and a
second medal two years ago from President Clinton. In the Sept. 9
issue of The New York Times, Clinton said Flemming was a close
friend who "transcended party, generation and race in search of
consensus on some of the great issues of our day."
     Flemming earned his bachelor's degree in 1927 from United
Methodist-related Ohio Wesleyan University and served as the
school's president from 1948 to 1953 and again in 1957 and 1958. 
He was president of the University of Oregon from 1961 to 1968 and
president of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., from 1968 to
1971.  
     He earned his master's degree in 1928 from United Methodist-
related American University in Washington and a law degree from
George Washington University.
     His work in Washington began as an instructor in government
and a debating coach at American University from 1927 to 1930. He
was on the editorial staff of the U.S. News and World Report
magazine for several years in the 1930's.
     A memorial service for Flemming will be held Saturday, Sept.
14, at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington where he had
been a member since 1927.
     When he was removed as chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights
Commission by President Reagan, the United Methodist Council of
Bishops issued a statement saying the nation and world were in his
debt.  "As a persuasive advocate of the rights of all persons, you
have played an integral part in the development of a national
policy that has promoted racial justice and the 'general
welfare,'" the bishops said.  
     Flemming was born and reared in Kingston, N.Y., where his
father, a prosperous lawyer and judge, was an active Methodist
layman.  
     Survivors include his wife Bernice, of Washington; three
sons, a daughter, 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
                              #  #  #   

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