I do believe the most important thing I can do now is to help young people understand the past and prepare for the future.

Civil rights record
Originally Stennis was an ardent supporter of racial segregation like most Mississippi politicians. In 1973 Stennis was almost fatally wounded by two gunshots after being mugged outside his Washington home by two teenagers. His son John Hampton Stennis (born ca.

He was a Democrat who served in the Senate for over 41 years becoming its most senior member by his retirement. S. Senator from the state of Mississippi.