Jesse Helms, a five term North Carolina Senator, passed away fittingly on July 4, 2008.

The (Raleigh) News & Observer, Helms' hometown newspaper, credited him in 2001 as one of the creators of the modern Republican Party.

"Helms helped broaden the party to include religious conservatives and people who drank not just Chablis but sweet tea, and who drove not just BMWs but pickup trucks," the paper stated upon his announcement that he was going to retire.

Late in his career, Helms joined with U2's Bono in fighting the spread of AIDS in Africa.