Some Past Honorees Give Their Picks for This Year

By DEPARTMENT Sunday, Dec. 04, 2005

MIKHAIL GORBACHEV 1987, '89 Former President of the Soviet Union, 1987 Man of the Year, 1989 Man of the Decade

I note that Ted Turner has nominated Bono. I would like to endorse that. We have met on several occasions, and I have been impressed by his actions. He has been a voice for the poor, for the environment, for peace--and for the emerging global civil society.

JAMES LOVELL 1968 One of three Apollo 8 astronauts, pioneers on the epic quest for the moon

I suggest special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald. In this age of cover-ups, political intrigue, corporate greed and not knowing whom to believe, it is refreshing to see a person who searches for and uncovers misdeeds, unencumbered by any partisanship.

CYNTHIA COOPER 2002 Former WorldCom auditor (one of three "whistleblowers" TIME honored in 2002)

I would nominate Mother Nature. Mother Nature brought important issues of ethics, poverty, race, global warming and disaster preparedness to the forefront of our thinking, probably resulting in changes that will have a positive impact on our lives and those of future generations.

F.W. DE KLERK 1993 Former South African President, one of 1993's four "peacemakers"

My nomination is for Africa as Continent of the Year. In 2005 global attention was focused on the plight of her people. Africa needs a fair break from the rest of the world and the determination to address its own problems. It is essential that all humankind join in the march for democracy, prosperity, peace and stability.