Elder Statesmen Dole, McGovern To Speak at Alma College
Robert Dole and George McGovern have served at the forefront of some
of America’s most complex issues of the last 50 years, ranging from
U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, the Cold War, Watergate, foreign
relations, and the energy crisis of the 1970s.
The two senior statesmen are not resting on their laurels.
The former presidential candidates, co-authors of the 2005 book Ending Hunger Now,
will discuss their thoughts and observations on responsible leadership
and civility at the inaugural Center for Responsible Leadership
Speakers Series event at Alma College.
The longtime members of Congress will share the stage at 8 p.m. Wednesdaya, Sept.
27, in Cappaert Gymnasium in the Hogan Physical Education Center on the
Alma campus.
Admission is free and open to the public.
“We are tremendously pleased that these great leaders, whose legacies
include lifetime commitments to ethical purpose, responsible
stewardship and civility in political discourse, will share their views
on politics and leadership with our students,” said Alma College
President Saundra Tracy.
“Their presentation will support the goals of our Center for
Responsible Leadership — to prepare leaders who are both responsible to
the changing world around them and responsible for their own actions
and organizations,” she said.
The Center for Responsible Leadership encompasses a large network of
leadership-development opportunities for all Alma students, regardless
of academic major or degree. The speaker series brings prominent
leaders to campus for discussions on related topics.
“Senators Dole and McGovern have given many years of service to their
country — service in the military as well as service in the Senate,”
said John Leipzig, Center director. “They continue to serve as role
models for responsible leadership by their continued commitment to
addressing humanitarian issues, such as the global issue of world
hunger.
“The lesson they provide our students is this: Just because you have
provided exemplary service in the past doesn’t mean responsible
leadership ends. Senators Dole and McGovern model what the Center for
Responsible Leadership is promoting through innovative programming — a
continuing lifetime commitment as leaders dedicated to building a
better future,” he said.
Dole and McGovern, prominent members of their opposing parties, remain
active in numerous endeavors. Last February, they shared their views on
“the state of public debate” during a presentation sponsored by the
University of Richmond’s Jepson School of Leadership Studies.
Robert Dole biographical information
A former Senate Majority Leader and war hero, Dole was the Republican
Presidential nominee in 1996 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of
Freedom in 1997 as a tribute to his character and contributions to the
nation. As chairman of the National World War II Memorial, author of
two best-selling books on political humor, a frequent guest on late
night talk shows, and renowned political commentator, Dole is part of
the American landscape.
Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Doles joined forces with former
rival President Bill Clinton to serve as co-chair of the Families of
Freedom Scholarship Fund, assisting the educational needs of the
families of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Flight 93.
In January 2003, he was appointed Honorary Co-Chair of the President’s
Council on Service and Civic Participation, part of President Bush’s
USA Freedom Corps. He also is board chair of The Caring Institute, a
nonprofit organization that promotes the values of caring, integrity
and public service.
George McGovern biographic information
For the past 40 years, McGovern has been a leading advocate for liberal
causes. A two-term member of the House of Representatives and a U.S.
Senator for 18 years, McGovern was the 1972 Democratic Presidential
nominee. His later bid for the White House in 1984 won him the respect
of Democrats and Republicans alike for the class and reason he brought
to his campaign. In 2004, McGovern was honored for a lifetime of
national service by the association of former congressmen.
A foreign policy scholar and long-time champion of the American farmer,
McGovern was named by President Kennedy as the first director for the
Food for Peace Program in 1960. He was one of the first in Congress to
openly oppose American participation in the Vietnam War. He is the
author of several books, including The Essential America: Our Founders and The Liberal Tradition.
Like Dole, he holds the nation’s highest honor, the Presidential Medal
of Freedom. He also was admitted to the French Legion of Honor by the
French government for his service in World War II.
Posted: Mon, September 25th, 2006 at 3:19PM
