2000

Helms becomes the first legislator from any country to address the U.N. Security Council.   He pushes U.N. reform and warns delegates that their creeping “anti-Americanism” could force the U.S. into eventual withdrawal if its interests are not served by their “investment” in that body. 

2001

Helms loses the chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee when Democrats regain control of the Senate.

Helms meets with U2 lead singer and activist Bono to discuss AIDS relief funding and third world debt.

Helms announces he will not run for a sixth Senate term in 2002.

2002

Helms says at a conference organized by Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, that he is ashamed he has not done more concerning the world's AIDS pandemic.  The next month, he proposes an emergency appropriation of $500 million to add to the $850 million in global AIDS funds already contained in the 2003 federal budget proposal.

In June, Jesse Helms attends a U2 concert in Washington, commenting afterward that “people were moving back and forth like corn in the breeze.” 

2003

Helms retires when his term expires in January.  He is succeeded by Republican Elizabeth Dole. 

2005

Helms publishes his memoir, entitled Here's Where I Stand.

Helms makes a video appeal for AIDS relief funding on World AIDS Day, December 1.

July 4, 2008

Jesse Helms dies at age 86 at the Mayview Convalescent Center in Raleigh, N.C.