Helms memoir claims he's 'no racist'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Former Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., known for opposition to civil rights measures and the holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr., writes he is not racist.

Helms, who left the Senate in 2003 after 30 years on Capitol Hill, discussed his stands in a memoir titled, "Here's Where I Stand." The book, published by Random House and carrying a $29.95 price tag, was released Tuesday.

Helms was nicknamed "Senator No" for his avid opposition to measures put forth by colleagues from both parties but gained the most notoriety for his stances on civil rights. In arguing against a King holiday, Helms said the loss of economic productivity from the day off work and said efforts promoting education and job training would be better.

He did admit to one regret, the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer said in an article about the book, and that was his original opposition to legislation aimed at stemming the spread of AIDS. Helms wrote that he was influenced by Franklin Graham, the son of Rev. Bill Graham, and singer Bono to fight AIDS in Africa.