THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 45 lines
A dying Middle East expert, political activist and friend of the University of Virginia will continue to influence American government after he is gone by leaving half a million dollars to the Virginia Institute of Political Leadership in Charlottesville.
Thomas C. Sorenson, the 70-year-old brother of the John F. Kennedy aide, Ted Sorenson, is suffering from a rare and incurable form of cancer. It was reported last week that he is bequeathing this generous amount of money to the institute which was founded in 1992 at the University of Virginia to help train American political leaders.
Sorenson moved to Charlottesville seven years ago and is married to an associate professor in the department of psychiatric medicine. He is a member of the board of the leadership institute and one of its most ardent boosters.
``I think there will be a governor or senator or president who is a graduate of it someday,'' he said.
Sorenson comes from a family that has built a hefty legacy of public service. Sorenson's father was Nebraska's attorney general in the 1930s and his mother worked for women's rights. Tom Sorenson served as a deputy director of the United States Information Agency during the 1950s and early 1960s. Later, he was campaign manager for Robert Kennedy's presidential bid and for Alan Cranston's successful U.S. Senate campaign.
Like many with a philanthropic bent, Sorenson has carefully considered where to leave portions of his estate. He is donating $10,000 to start a $30,000 endowment for ``compassionate residents'' at the University of Virginia Medical Center that will be named after the surgeon who treated his cancer there.
He is also leaving $150,000 to a university trust to train child psychotherapists.
Sorenson's announcement is a reminder to everyone that favorite charities or schools ought to be remembered when writing one's will. Careful estate planning can allow even those of modest means to dedicate funds to pet charities and institutions.
Tom Sorenson is fighting the good fight. When his battle ends, he will have nobly and gracefully arranged to strengthen an institute that is working to train political leaders in the 21st century. by CNB