Ed Muskie Blue

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Edward Muskie served as the Governor of Maine from 1955-1959 and U.S. Senator from 1959-1980. He is referred to as "the father of the 1960s environmental movement in America". As Senate chairman of the subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution, Muskie introduced the Water Act Amendment of 1972, the first and most influential modern environmental law. He campaigned for Vice President alongside Democratic nominee Hubert H. Humphrey, who lost to Richard Nixon in 1968. Muskie ran for President in 1972, but failed to get the Democratic nomination losing to George McGovern. It was either tears of anger or melting snow that upended his presidential aspirations while he was seen with water on his face during a speech, giving an impression that made him appear weak to the American audience of the 1970s. Later during the Carter Administration, Muskie served as Secretary of State from 1980-1981.