(born 1921) Republican senior senator of North Carolina, Helms was elected to the US Senate in 1972. A staunch fiscal and social conservative who is considered an extremist by his opponents, Helms opposes abortion, affirmative action and homosexuality but supports school-sponsored prayer. Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee, Helms supports efforts to streamline the number of government foreign-policy agencies.

Concerned with humanrights abuses, he called for the revocation of China’s mostfavored-nation status. He serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and Rules and Administration committees. His seat is up for reelection in 2002.