Home arrow Press Room arrow FORMER U.S. SEN. CHUCK HAGEL NAMED 'STATESMAN OF THE YEAR'
FORMER U.S. SEN. CHUCK HAGEL NAMED 'STATESMAN OF THE YEAR'
Saturday, 11 July 2009

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Chuck Hagel, the former U.S. Senator who represented Nebraska for 12 years, has been named "Statesman of the Year" by the Junior Statesmen Foundation at ceremonies held here on Saturday.

"Chuck Hagel is a great statesman," said Gary P. Fazzino, vice president of government affairs at Applied Materials Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif., a director of the Junior Statesmen Foundation and the chairman of its "Statesmen of the Year" committee. "Throughout his Senate career, Hagel worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, putting the needs of the people ahead of partisanship. Naming Hagel 'Statesman of the Year' was an easy decision for our committee."

Hagel was presented the award by students attending the Junior Statesmen Summer School, held at Georgetown University, as a culmination of their three-week scholastic effort. The Summer School brings high school students from all over the country to college campuses in order to educate them in politics, government affairs and public speaking.

Serving as a Republican in the Senate from 1997-2009, Hagel was also deputy administrator of Veterans Affairs in the Reagan Administration from 1981-1982. Most recently, Hagel was elected chairman of the Atlantic Council of the United States, succeeding Gen. James L. Jones, who left to become National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama.

After leaving government service, in 1984 Hagel was the co-founder of Vanguard Cellular Systems Inc., which today is part of AT&T. Hagel also served as president and chief executive officer of the United Service Organizations and the Private Sector Council, and was deputy director and chief operating officer of the 1990 G7 Summit. He also was on the board of directors or advisory committee of the American Red Cross, the Eisenhower World Affairs Institute, Bread for the World, and the Ripon Society. He also served as chairman of the Agent Orange Settlement Fund and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Hagel was born in North Platte, Neb., and served in the U.S. Army, gaining the rank of sergeant. He currently lives in McLean, Va., with his wife Lilibet.

ABOUT THE JUNIOR STATESMEN FOUNDATION INC.
Supporting a program founded in 1934, The Junior Statesmen Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational corporation that assists the high school students who lead the Junior State of America. The foundation also sponsors various summer programs, including Summer Schools held at four college campuses nationwide, and a series of Summer Symposia that provide high school students with college-level learning opportunities. The foundation has paid staff in offices in San Mateo, Calif., and Washington, D.C.

ABOUT THE JUNIOR STATE OF AMERICA
The largest high school student-run organization in the country, JSA has chapters in more than 450 high schools and in 2009 had 10,500 dues-paying members. The group has organized itself into 10 geographic states and territories, each with elected executive and legislative branches of government, as well as an appointed judiciary. In addition to hosting high school campus-based thought-talks and debates, the group holds statewide meetings three times per year, where students introduce legislation, which they debate and vote for and against. JSA also hosts adult community leaders who speak to the students on relevant topics and take student questions.