February 10 in A.A. History

1922: Harold E. Hughes [left] was born on a farm near Ida Grove, Iowa.
    He overcame alcoholism to achieve significant political success, serving as the governor of Iowa and a U.S. senator. He later emerged as a prominent dark horse candidate for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination, although he ultimately withdrew from the race. Hughes authored legislation that established the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, along with other federal measures to support alcoholics and addicts. Throughout his public life, he was candid about his struggles with alcoholism.

1958: Bill W. responded to a letter from Ollie and Ruth J., who had written to him objecting to members calling A.A. “selfish” program. In it, he clarified and drove home what he saw as a necessary distinction in the selfishness of an alcoholic:

    It seems to me that the primary object of any human being is to grow, that being the nature of all living things. There­fore he is bound to have a huge self-interest.