Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Sam Nunn (D-GA) To Receive 2013
Statesmanship Award From U.S. Association of Former Members of
Congress
Gary Sinise and the Gary Sinise
Foundation, and Margery Kraus CEO of APCO Worldwide, will also be
recognized for their dedication to public service and
philanthropy
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Many
current and former Members of Congress can proudly point to
bipartisan efforts that have strengthened our nation over the
years. While there have been many examples of cooperation from both
sides of the aisle, Senators Richard
Lugar and Sam Nunn exemplify
how working together can not only help strengthen our national
security, but also set an example of representative democracy
at its best.
To showcase the best practices of bipartisanship, the U.S.
Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) will present
Senators Lugar and Nunn with its "Statesmanship Award," at the
non-profit organization's 16th annual "Salute to
Service: Statesmanship Award Dinner," on March 19, 2013. The mission of FMC is to promote
bipartisanship and civility among the nation's elected officials,
as well as help emerging democracies around the world, and inspire
the next generation of leaders through programs that highlight the
power of service.
Senator Lugar is the Republican leader of the Foreign Relations
Committee, and was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976.
Senator Nunn served in the Senate from 1972-1996 and is currently
Co-Chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Pioneers in
reducing the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons,
they forged a bipartisanship partnership by creating the Nunn-Lugar
Program, which provides assistance to Russia and the former Soviet republics for
securing and destroying their excess nuclear, biological and
chemical weapons. To date, the program has deactivated more than
7,600 nuclear warheads.
Award-winning actor, humanitarian and Presidential Citizens
Medal recipient Gary Sinise will
receive the "Civic Statesmanship Award" for his dedication to
serving America's defenders, veterans, first responders, their
families, and those in need through the Gary Sinise Foundation, as
well as Operation International Children, which he co-founded in
2004. In addition to his foundation work, he's done hundreds of
personal appearances and concerts with his Lt. Dan Band worldwide, raising spirits and boosting
the morale of hundreds of thousands of troops and their
families.
Margery Kraus, a leader in the
philanthropic community, and founder and CEO of APCO Worldwide,
will receive the "Corporate Statesmanship Award" for pioneering one
of her industry's earliest practices of corporate philanthropy.
Under Kraus' leadership, she has instilled a corporate culture of
giving back, encouraging employees to participate in numerous
service projects. She also helped create the Close Up Foundation, a
multi-million dollar non-profit organization that empowers young
people from all walks of life to become responsible and engaged
citizens.
According to Peter Weichlein, CEO
of FMC, it's time to renew the spirit of partnership. "Our
Former Members of Congress are united in their dedication to
teaching about Congress here in the
United States, and strengthening democracies abroad," he
said. "They do not receive any fee or honorarium for this important
work, nor is a single taxpayer dollar earmarked for any of our
programs. We are truly bipartisan and our members exemplify the
great good that can come from people with different ideas and
points of view working together to find common ground."
Lou Frey (R-FL), who is past
president of FMC, the dinner chairman, and founder of the Lou Frey
Institute, is no stranger to public service. "You know most people,
sadly, have the impression that Members of Congress are just in it
for the power and glory. The opposite is true. Most of us got into
this business to make a difference and serve the American
people."
FMC president, Connie
Morella (R-MD), herself a champion of public service and
bipartisanship, believes that Former Members of Congress can play
an important role inspiring young people to serve, and leaders from
emerging democracies to learn from our representative form of
government.
"In my work with FMC for many years, I have seen first-hand how
our members can literally change lives for the better. When we
visit college campuses, meet with world leaders, or just volunteer
time in many of our service projects, we can see tangible results.
If we can show, through our mutual respect and civility, that we
can agree to disagree, then that becomes a valuable life-
lesson."
For more information on the Salute to Service: Statesmanship
Award Dinner, to purchase tickets or become a sponsor, visit FMC's
web siteāwww.usafmc.org. Coverage is invited.
SOURCE U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress