The Herbert Hoover Library and Museum reopened in a ceremony last week, and one of the guests at the event talked about Hoover’s accomplishments outside the presidency. Belgium legal scholar Jan Wouters said there are moments in history when one individual changes not merely the course of events, but the fate of the people.
During WWI, Germany invaded Belgium and the British were blockading the country, which brought in most of its food. Wouters says Herbert Hoover took on the challenge of feeding them.
He said Hoover accomplished what no one thought was possible.
Wouters said Hoover got the wealthy to donate to Belgium and his efforts became a symbol to people in the United States, who also rallied around the effort. There were millions of dollars left over after the war and he said Hoover created the Belgian American Educational Foundation.
Wouters says Hoover taught us a lesson about public service, as he exercised his most admirable leadership before he became president.
Wouters says history tends to judge people on the office they hold, but Hoover’s legacy goes well beyond that.
