12-Term Former Congressman Charlie Wilson Passes Away in Texas

"America has lost an extraordinary patriot whose life showed, once more, that one brave and determined person can alter the course of history. My condolences to Barbara and the rest of the Wilson family" - Secretary Gates

One American politician who never forgot about the people of Afghanistan, is the late Charlie Wilson, shown here during his 12 terms as a U.S. Representative from Texas. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

(LUFKIN, Tx.) - A U.S. politician whose amazing deeds were chronicled in a book and movie starring Tom Hanks, Charley Wilson, died today, February 10, 2010, at Lufkin Memorial Hospital in Lufkin, Texas.

Reports indicate that the former U.S. Congressman suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest, and was pronounced dead at 12:16 P.M. Central Time.

Born June 1, 1933, Charles Nesbitt Wilson served as a United States naval officer and former 12-term Democratic United States Representative from the 2nd congressional district in Texas.

Wikipedia states, "He was best known for leading Congress into supporting Operation Cyclone, the largest-ever CIA covert operation, which supplied military equipment, including anti-aircraft weapons such as Stinger antiaircraft missiles, to the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet war in Afghanistan."

As referenced, this behind-the-scenes campaign to aid the Afghan rebels who ultimately expelled the Soviet forces back to Russia, was the subject of the non-fiction book Charlie Wilson's War and a subsequent film adaptation.

Secretary Gates made this statement on the Death of Congressman Charlie Wilson:

"I had the unforgettable experience of knowing Congressman Wilson when I was at CIA and he was working tirelessly on behalf of the Afghan resistance fighting the Soviets. As the world now knows, his efforts and exploits helped repel an invader, liberate a people, and bring the Cold War to a close. After the Soviets left, Charlie kept fighting for the Afghan people and warned against abandoning that traumatized country to its fate -- a warning we should have heeded then, and should remember today."

Gates added:

"America has lost an extraordinary patriot whose life showed, once more, that one brave and determined person can alter the course of history. My condolences to Barbara and the rest of the Wilson family."

To learn more about Charlie Wilson please visit this article:

Aug-24-2008: One Billion Dollars Allowed Afghan Rebels to Defeat the Soviets - Political Commentary by Tim King Salem-News.com