Statement of Former Senator Sam Nunn Regarding Ted Turner

The great Georgia educator Benjamin Mays once said: “Low aim, not failure, is a sin.” Ted Turner never committed the sin of aiming low. The word failure was not part of his vocabulary.

All of Ted’s accomplishments were astounding, but what was most unique was the Ted Turner success strategy that he repeated again and again: he identified mission impossible, aimed high, and hit the bullseye. Ted never entertained, even for a moment, the thought that any mission was impossible or any target was unreachable.

He had the ability to see what others couldn’t, take risks others wouldn’t, and set goals others found breathtaking. Ted Turner invested his time, his passion, his intellect and his resources to turn dreams into reality.

I was honored to join Ted as the co-founder of the Nuclear Threat Initiative in 2001 and serve with him as NTI’s co-chair for the last 25 years. I was blessed to be his partner in our efforts to reduce the risks from nuclear and biological weapons globally.

I know that his five children, including Laura Turner-Seydel, who serves as an emeritus NTI board member, and his grandchildren, will continue his work to save the planet and carry on his incredible legacy. Colleen and I send our deepest condolences to the entire Turner family.

Ted inspired people around the world to aim high. I will always be grateful for his bold vision, his candor, his energy, his passion, his sense of humor, his friendship, and his love of the Earth and all of humanity.