He believed strongly in the social security system. and fought to improve benefits for senior citizens. "I intend to support any measure." he once said. "which will give older Americans the assistance they so richly deserve in order to retain the dignity and independence in their retirement years." He remembered the stockyards where he had worked as a youth. and was deeply sympathetic with the financial hardships suffered by some of his fellowworkers and neighbors when they reached retirement age. In the same way. he was a staunch supporter of higher education. because he knew what it was like not to have the opportunity himself. He was born "back of the yards" in 1896. son of a Polish immigrant. At the age of 12 he had to quit school and go to workin the stockyards. driving a truck. and in the circulation department of the old Chicago Evening Post. He served in World War I with an artillery unit.
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immigrant